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Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Play trailer Poster for Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief PG 2010 1h 59m Kids & Family Adventure Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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48% Tomatometer 150 Reviews 53% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Always trouble-prone, the life of teenager Percy Jackson (Logan Lerman) gets a lot more complicated when he learns he's the son of the Greek god Poseidon. At a training ground for the children of deities, Percy learns to harness his divine powers and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime: he must prevent a feud among the Olympians from erupting into a devastating war on Earth, and rescue his mother from the clutches of Hades, god of the underworld.
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Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

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Critics Consensus

Though it may seem like just another Harry Potter knockoff, Percy Jackson benefits from a strong supporting cast, a speedy plot, and plenty of fun with Greek mythology.

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Critics Reviews

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Amy Nicholson I.E. Weekly 02/18/2010
C
The Greek gods had outsized powers and petty grievances. These Gen-Y demigods are no different - it's a whole generation of kids with daddy issues Go to Full Review
A.O. Scott At the Movies 02/16/2010
I thought it was mischievous and witty and amusing and I was just sort of drawn into it. Go to Full Review
Time Out 02/16/2010
2/5
It's not enough to compensate for the computer-game-style plotting, which is largely based on us picking up narrative nuggets that mechanically slot into place later on. Go to Full Review
Justin Kim Loud and Clear Reviews 01/06/2025
Though its infamy may be overblown, Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief is still an unimpressive film that more than justifies the book fans’ outcry for a better adaptation. Go to Full Review
Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review 08/22/2023
1.5/4
This is a by-the-numbers fantasy adventure that merges the modern world with a magical one. Go to Full Review
Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) 10/19/2022
The Lightning Thief is good juvenile entertainment. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Isabella @Reliable 1d Basically doesn't relate to the book at all, the acting is insanely terrible, all of the characters are just a trope, the jokes are corny, and the directing choices are insane. ABSOLUTE CINEMA. Percy Jackson more like PEAK Jackson. Nothing in this movie makes sense, the GREEK gods have Irish accents and live in New York. So good it brings a tear to my eye. If you're watching this with accuracy in mind you will be upset within 2 minutes, but if you're watching it to have fun, this movie is perfect. One thing I suggest is to watch the background characters tweaking out while they try and fill up space at camp half blood. I love this movie because its absolute dogwater 10000000/10 See more thiago s @Thiagostone 3d Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more Titus S @Tman1537 3d I was very unimpressed. After reading the book then watching the movie, you will think that you are watching something completely different. I know that most people will say the movie and the book are not the same, and i understand that but these are nothing alike, there are maybe 3 or more scenes correct but otherwise no. Camp half blood is not supposed to be woody, there is no taxi scene where Anabeth pays the taxi driver using the lotus card, Olympus is incorrect, it should be floating above the empire state building, Ares never comes to give them the backpack, the fight scene on Olympus is not supposed to happen, the part where Luke attacks Percy with the scorpion doesn't happen, the St. Louis arch scene never happens, the part where Grover was dragged to to Tartarus never happens, and the beginning is completely whack. And where is the 3 fates scene, not there, and Cerberus, not even a slight mention. so does my review say anything good, NO. a summary, is this absolutely stinks. See more H H Dec 28 Omg it can’t be this hard to follow the plot of a book!! Like ??? Almost as if they read a two word summary and was like YAAA we got this!! No shade to the actors btw. Y’all were grate !! But how u were told to play roles was awful!!!!! WOULD NOT RECOMMEND!!!!! The series is so much better!! See more Logan B @logan96 Dec 18 Solid plot with decent acting and surprisingly good CGI for its time. Some outdated humor and a few unrealistic character reactions, but still an enjoyable watch. See more Henry E @BigDiggleJim Dec 15 This movie was not good! It got so many things in the book WRONG and forgot to add a bunch of stuff. The only kind of good thing was the humor. I can find a kid loving this movie and finding it funny. Too bad I'm not a kid. See more Read all reviews
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

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Movie Info

Synopsis Always trouble-prone, the life of teenager Percy Jackson (Logan Lerman) gets a lot more complicated when he learns he's the son of the Greek god Poseidon. At a training ground for the children of deities, Percy learns to harness his divine powers and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime: he must prevent a feud among the Olympians from erupting into a devastating war on Earth, and rescue his mother from the clutches of Hades, god of the underworld.
Director
Chris Columbus
Producer
Karen Rosenfelt, Chris Columbus, Michael Barnathan, Mark Radcliffe
Screenwriter
Craig Titley
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Phoenix Film Partners, Dune, Sunswept Entertainment, 1492 Pictures
Rating
PG (Mild Language|Action/Violence|Peril|Some Scary Images|Suggestive Material)
Genre
Kids & Family, Adventure, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 12, 2010, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$88.8M
Runtime
1h 59m
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