'

2012

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1:09

2012

PG-13

Released Nov 13, 2009

2h 38m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

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Popcornmeter

40%

Tomatometer

242 Reviews

47%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Earth's billions of inhabitants are unaware that the planet has an expiration date. With the warnings of an American scientist (Chiwetel Ejiofor), world leaders begin secret preparations for the survival of select members of society. When the global cataclysm finally occurs, failed writer Jackson Curtis (John Cusack) tries to lead his family to safety as the world starts falling apart.

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Critics Consensus

Roland Emmerich's 2012 provides plenty of visual thrills, but lacks a strong enough script to support its massive scope and inflated length.

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Ben Kenigsberg

Time Out

Rated: 1/5

Nov 18, 2011

Full Review

Joshua Rothkopf

Time Out

Rated: 2/5

Nov 17, 2011

Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum

Entertainment Weekly

Cusack, with his one-of-the-guys face and his nice way with child actors, does creditable work as an Average American Dad trying to put things right.

Rated: B

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Everything you’re expecting from 2012 is exactly what you’re going to get…Utterly impossible by any stretch of the imagination, the movie is a cheesy, one-dimensional, epic-sized spectacle that does exactly what it promises to—destroy the Earth.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 5, 2023

Full Review

James Croot

The Post NZ

If you put your brain in neutral, you can enjoy an unprecedented scale of beautifully rendered destruction and learn that science isn't an exact science.

Rated: 3/5

May 24, 2023

Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

A good disaster thriller must contain both thrills and massive destruction--2012 has both in great quantity.

Jan 26, 2022

Full Review

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Stephen C

Failed drama movie in 2 hours and 38 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/29/25

Full Review

Henry C

Is it way too long. Yes. Are the things that happen stupid and impossible. Yes. But is it a fun time, and an intriguing story. Also Yes. If you love disaster movies I highly recommend a watch

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/19/25

Full Review

Christian K

This is (almost) the masterpiece of a disaster movie, and the best you can get from Roland Emmerich. Only things to criticize: The plot is now and then a little lengthy, and the CGI lacks a sense of realism, in some places, though I believe it was the best you could get in 2008/2009. But in its best moments, this movie with the absolutely crazy and boombastic action scenes is breathtaking. There are some epic and unforgettable scenes, like the escape from the fresh, erupting volcano, the flight through the falling skyscrapers, or the Buddhist monk ringing the monastery bell in face of the flood. Of course, if I watch an Emmerich movie, I do not expect the mindfucking storytelling of a Christopher Nolan. But I really got what I wanted, and felt satisfied in the end. Surely a candidate for a rewatch, for me!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/24/25

Full Review

Justin W

An Exciting thrill of ride, it is phenomenal with its effects and plot.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/18/25

Full Review

Paul S

It was fun to watch and had a compelling plot with some great visuals, but other than that, its story was flawed and the dialogue was terrible.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/08/25

Full Review

Ella D

For some reason I love disaster movies. This one is BY FAR the ABSOLUTE BEST DISASTER MOVE OF ALL TIME. John Cusack is an unexpectedly inspiring hero. Chwetely shines as a scientist, and Woody Harrelson plays a memorable eccentric at Yellow Stone. What more could you want ? It will have you at the edge of your seat from start to finish. They don't make em like they used to ... .but I wish they did. I want MORE of THIS.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/26/25

Full Review

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Roland Emmerich

Director

John Cusack

Jackson Curtis

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Adrian Helmsley

Amanda Peet

Kate

Oliver Platt

Carl Anheuser

Thandiwe Newton

Laura Wilson

2012: Official Clip - Something Pulling Us Apart

2:25

2012: Official Clip - Cruise Ship Tsunami

2:41

2012: Official Clip - The Ark Launch

3:14

2012: Official Clip - The Arks

2:58

2012: Official Clip - Get to the Plane

2:54

2012: Official Clip - Rough Landing in Tibet

3:40

2012: Official Clip - Do Not Panic

2:58

2012: Official Clip - Trust in Prayer

2:59

2012: Official Clip - The Sinking of Los Angeles

2:09

2012: Official Clip - Yellowstone Erupts

3:38

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2012: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Earth's billions of inhabitants are unaware that the planet has an expiration date. With the warnings of an American scientist (Chiwetel Ejiofor), world leaders begin secret preparations for the survival of select members of society. When the global cataclysm finally occurs, failed writer Jackson Curtis (John Cusack) tries to lead his family to safety as the world starts falling apart.

Director: Roland Emmerich
Producer: Harald Kloser, Mark Gordon, Larry J. Franco
Screenwriter: Roland Emmerich, Harald Kloser
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Centropolis Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Some Language|Disaster Sequences)
Genre: Action, Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 13, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $166.1M
Runtime: 2h 38m

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