The Day the Earth Stood Still

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The Day the Earth Stood Still

G

Released Sep 18, 1951

1h 32m

Sci-Fi

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Popcornmeter

95%

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59 Reviews

87%

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25,000+ Ratings

When a UFO lands in Washington, D.C., bearing a message for Earth's leaders, all of humanity stands still. Klaatu (Michael Rennie) has come on behalf of alien life who have been watching Cold War-era nuclear proliferation on Earth. But it is Klaatu's soft-spoken robot Gort that presents a more immediate threat to onlookers. A single mother (Patricia Neal) and her son teach the world about peace and tolerance in this moral fable, ousting the tanks and soldiers that greet the alien's arrival.

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Critics Consensus

Socially minded yet entertaining, The Day the Earth Stood Still imparts its moral of peace and understanding without didacticism.

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Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films

More thoughtful and restrained than most sci-fi of the period, The Day the Earth Stood Still has aged better than almost all of its peers.

Rated: A-

Dec 12, 2008

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Bill Weber

Slant Magazine

Iconic from the get-go.

Rated: 3.5/4

Dec 2, 2008

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Michael Booth

Denver Post

The Day the Earth Stood Still may at first look like goofy, outdated science fiction, but its timeless warnings about violence, nuclear confrontation and the difficulties of policing the planet have made it an enduring cultural classic.

Oct 5, 2007

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David Parkinson

Radio Times

Wise slickly blends the docudramatic and the melodramatic without ever lapsing into pomposity or hysteria.

Rated: 5/5

Sep 13, 2024

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

It's as much Christ parable as science fiction film... yet its message is delivered less like a sermon than a threat.

Sep 8, 2023

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Mark R. Leeper

Mark Leeper's Reviews

THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL is a sentimental favorite among Fifties science fiction films. It is certainly good but not nearly as good as its reputation would make it.

Rated: 6/10

Feb 14, 2021

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Eye C

A sci-fi classic from the 50s, I really enjoy this movie, and having the opportunity to watch it in the big screen is great.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/19/25

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Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 32 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/07/25

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Nancy L

Wonderful movie, and my all time favorite. Watched it when I was 12 or 13, and memorized the message from Klaatu, as I could possibly help save earth from destruction. Klaatu barada nikto. Absolutely recommend this movie, skip the remake. Pop some popcorn and enjoy.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/25/25

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Alejandro E

The film that became the cornerstone of the science fiction genre. Despite being nearly 80 years old, the story of a pacifist alien, as well as the special effects, both still look fresh and current.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/23/25

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Jason W

Very good considering it's year of release. Great fx for its time.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/09/25

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David S

Tremendous. A film I grew up with and people my father's age. Sam Jaffe scenes are awesome.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/01/25

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Robert Wise

Director

Michael Rennie

Klaatu

Patricia Neal

Helen Benson

Hugh Marlowe

Tom Stevens

Sam Jaffe

Prof. Jacob Barnhardt

Billy Gray

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Synopsis

When a UFO lands in Washington, D.C., bearing a message for Earth's leaders, all of humanity stands still. Klaatu (Michael Rennie) has come on behalf of alien life who have been watching Cold War-era nuclear proliferation on Earth. But it is Klaatu's soft-spoken robot Gort that presents a more immediate threat to onlookers. A single mother (Patricia Neal) and her son teach the world about peace and tolerance in this moral fable, ousting the tanks and soldiers that greet the alien's arrival.

Director: Robert Wise
Producer: Julian Blaustein
Screenwriter: Harry Bates, Edmund H. North
Distributor: CBS/Fox, 20th Century Fox, Fox
Production Co: 20th Century Fox
Rating: G
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 18, 1951, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 18, 2012
Runtime: 1h 32m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Flat (1.37:1)

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