The Punisher

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The Punisher

R

Released Apr 16, 2004

2h 4m

Action

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Popcornmeter

30%

Tomatometer

169 Reviews

63%

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250,000+ Ratings

This dark action film, based on the comic book series, follows FBI agent Frank Castle (Thomas Jane) as he transforms into the vengeful Punisher after criminals murder his family, including his wife and son. Castle is gravely injured in the attack and believed to be dead by Howard Saint (John Travolta), the crime lord who ordered the hit. Following his recovery, Castle becomes a heavily armed vigilante who will stop at nothing to exact revenge on Saint and dismantle his underworld empire.

Critics Consensus

A good cast fails to elevate this overly violent and by-the-numbers revenge flick.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Bad big screen adaptation of comic book.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 28, 2010

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

There's something to be said for letting a comic book adaptation operate at the level of a comic book, dispensing cheap laughs and ice-cold sadism.

Apr 25, 2007

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Time Out

Ultimately, Frank's victim -to-vigilante transformation is so morally unexplored it's emotionally alienating.

Feb 9, 2006

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

The Punisher’s anti-hero status is ignored altogether in this unchallenging movie; he’s reduced to being a homemade Good Guy without special powers, just a munitions store and a souped-up car.

Rated: 2/4

Mar 7, 2024

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Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

For anyone ignorant of its pulpy pedigree... The Punisher presents itself as little more than a rather cheap and nasty actioner lifted wholesale from the they-killed-his-wife-and-child-and-now-they're-gonna-pay files.

Rated: 1.5/5

Nov 17, 2020

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

For a movie about brutal eye-for-an-eye reprisal, there really isn't much savagery (or ferocity) taking place during the majority of the film.

Rated: 3/10

Nov 9, 2020

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marvin n

same o' same o'..................

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/09/25

Full Review

The R

The Best punisher and I dont Will to change my mind

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/29/25

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Hailin P

Enjoyable and fun to watch with great casting. Hidden gem marvel movie underrated.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/23/25

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Adrian M

I think it’s an underrated movie. In my personal opinion it’s enjoyable.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/26/25

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Mitch B

If the violence had been toned down a tad, like the scene where Frank stabs the guy through the jaw, had been cut out, I'd give this movie five stars. I like the sweet moments with the neighbors and some of the action works for me. Also, I love Thomas Jane as The Punisher. His performance is the highlight of the film. I felt Frank's pain and I liked his interaction with Maria and Will before the massacre started. Very intense. Though the scene where he stabs the man in arms and jaw doesn't work for me, the overall film does. At least it's not a glorified slasher film the way "Punisher War Zone" was.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/01/25

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Tik t

One of the underrated, heartwarming films

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/05/25

Full Review

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Jonathan Hensleigh

Director

Thomas Jane

Frank Castle

John Travolta

Howard Saint

Will Patton

Quentin Glass

Roy Scheider

Frank Castle Sr.

Laura Harring

Livia Saint

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Synopsis

This dark action film, based on the comic book series, follows FBI agent Frank Castle (Thomas Jane) as he transforms into the vengeful Punisher after criminals murder his family, including his wife and son. Castle is gravely injured in the attack and believed to be dead by Howard Saint (John Travolta), the crime lord who ordered the hit. Following his recovery, Castle becomes a heavily armed vigilante who will stop at nothing to exact revenge on Saint and dismantle his underworld empire.

Director: Jonathan Hensleigh
Producer: Avi Arad, Gale Anne Hurd
Screenwriter: Gerry Conway, Jonathan Hensleigh, Michael France
Distributor: Lionsgate Films, Summit Entertainment
Production Co: Punisher Productions, Artisan Entertainment, Marvel Enterprises, Partnership Films
Rating: R (Language|Brief Nudity|Pervasive Brutal Violence)
Genre: Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 16, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 19, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $33.7M
Runtime: 2h 4m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)