Apocalypto

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Apocalypto

R

2006

2h 17m

Adventure

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

65%

Tomatometer

199 Reviews

79%

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250,000+ Ratings

The Mayan kingdom is at the height of its opulence and power but the foundations of the empire are beginning to crumble. The leaders believe they must build more temples and sacrifice more people or their crops and citizens will die. Jaguar Paw (Rudy Youngblood), a peaceful hunter in a remote tribe, is captured along with his entire village in a raid. He is scheduled for a ritual sacrifice until he makes a daring escape and tries to make it back to his pregnant wife and son.

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Critics Consensus

Apocalypto is a brilliantly filmed, if mercilessly bloody, examination of a once great civilization.

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David Edelstein

New York Magazine/Vulture

Apocalypto demonstrates two things: that Mel Gibson is a hell of a filmmaker and that his imaginative world borders on the Neanderthal.

Jun 29, 2007

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Empire Magazine

Apocalypto is a strange but largely entertaining mix of action, bloodletting, chin-rubbing and arthouse trimmings.

Rated: 3/5

Jun 5, 2007

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Brian Tallerico

UGO

It's escapism - the world would be a lot safer if good and evil were so clearly defined - and it's something that Mel Gibson proves (once again) that he does very, very well in Apocalypto.

Mar 24, 2007

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James Croot

The Post NZ

A film for the passionate, brave of heart and strong of stomach.

Rated: 4/5

May 5, 2023

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Jas Keimig

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

It makes all of the violence and pain portrayed onscreen feel extra exploitative of indigenous people, history, and fact

Dec 8, 2021

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David Walsh

World Socialist Web Site

Gibson makes people nervous in part because he takes the obscene fascination with violence ... to such absurd heights that the entire phenomenon threatens to become visible and called into question.

Feb 14, 2021

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Harold C.

A brutal but beautifully crafted survival story that starts slow but builds into something fierce and unforgettable. Once it hits its stride, the pacing, scale, and realism all come together in a way that’s both visceral and strangely poetic. A flawed but masterful vision of endurance and culture — expertly made and deeply immersive.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/03/25

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Raymond D.

Much better than the reviews it received. Very well made and obviously well studied in the making. The story, the characters, the actors, the makeup, the customs, the languages. Gibson's direction was superb.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/30/25

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Pedro Henrique C

Apocalypto (2006) is a very brutal and violent film, the direction manages to deliver a good realistic vibe, but I feel that the story could be a little more in-depth. But overall it's a great way to pass the time.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/23/25

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Tim M

Apocalypto is eclipsed by its own theatrics, but it can't be denied the awesome filmmaking on display from Mel Gibson and company.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/16/25

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Diego C

definitely gonna watch it again

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/06/25

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James R

I can rewatch this movie every year. Great casting, great acting.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/15/25

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Synopsis

The Mayan kingdom is at the height of its opulence and power but the foundations of the empire are beginning to crumble. The leaders believe they must build more temples and sacrifice more people or their crops and citizens will die. Jaguar Paw (Rudy Youngblood), a peaceful hunter in a remote tribe, is captured along with his entire village in a raid. He is scheduled for a ritual sacrifice until he makes a daring escape and tries to make it back to his pregnant wife and son.

Director: Mel Gibson
Producer: Mel Gibson, Bruce Davey
Screenwriter: Mel Gibson, Farhad Safinia
Distributor: Buena Vista
Production Co: Icon Entertainment International
Rating: R (Sequences of Graphic Violence|Disturbing Images)
Genre: Adventure, Action
Original Language: root
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 8, 2006, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 24, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA): $50.9M
Runtime: 2h 17m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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