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Deep Impact

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3:31

Deep Impact

PG-13

Released May 8, 1998

2h 0m

Action

Adventure

Sci-Fi

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

45%

Tomatometer

98 Reviews

43%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

A comet is hurtling toward Earth and could mean the end of all human life. The U.S. government keeps the crisis under wraps, but crack reporter Jenny Lerner (Tea Leoni) uncovers the truth -- forcing U.S. President Beck (Morgan Freeman) to announce his plan. Grizzled astronaut Spurgeon "Fish" Tanner (Robert Duvall) and his team will land on the comet and lay explosives, hopefully deterring the object from its doomsday course. If not, humanity will have to prepare for the worst.

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Critics Consensus

A tidal wave of melodrama sinks Deep Impact's chance at being the memorable disaster flick it aspires to be.

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Matthew Rozsa

Salon.com

The Chapmans are far from alone when it comes to scientists and artists who respect "Deep Impact," although usually praise has been reserved for its scientific merits.

Rated: 3.5/4

May 6, 2023

Full Review

Richard Williams

Guardian

The vision of Morgan Freeman as the next President of the United States is virtually the only worthwhile idea to be found in Deep Impact.

Feb 2, 2023

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Ryan Gilbey

Independent (UK)

The movie spends so long plodding toward its catastrophic climax that you want to scream "Apocalypse! NOW!"

Feb 2, 2023

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Christie Cronan

Common Sense Media

Unfortunately, most of this film's impact is an asteroid-sized disaster -- sunk deep

Aug 27, 2024

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Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

The film portrays very well the human element and does something I rather enjoy. It plays on the emotions of the audience and creates sympathy for the characters and makes heroes out of the most unlikely of people.

Rated: 3.5/4

Oct 5, 2023

Full Review

Dan DiNicola

The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY)

The what-if-the-world-ends planning is the most interesting part, with impressive special effects but unconvincing emotional reactions from the endangered humans.

Rated: D

Jun 20, 2023

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Jeremy W

Still one of my favourte disaster films, after a rewatch. Balances human emotion with natural cataclysm brilliantly. This lens made the film that much more suspenseful and compelling. Tea Leoni is superb as the anchor.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/15/25

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Alasdair F

Melodramatic drivel.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/15/25

Full Review

Brad S. R

While certainly less absurd than its "twin film" Armageddon, there still isn't much more to like in this rather contrived excuse for special effects. The production design—from the spaceships to the costumes to James Horner's commendable score—does earn some points for being better pretty much across the board though.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/07/25

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Dave G

Groudbreaking digital effects for 1998 and still fascinates me to this day "How on Earth did they do it"? Good plot with a healthy amount of character building. Shines a light on the human insight to such a "What if" situation. It may drag on a little for some.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/25

Full Review

NASHVILLE I

It’s scientifically more accurate than Armageddon, but that’s it’s only strong point. The characters are bland and shallow, with very little intrigue or depth whatsoever. The script really moves like a textbook….instead of entertaining you and telling you a story, the bulk of the time is spent educating and convincing you why each part of the movie is practical.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/11/25

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Kevin P

The bittersweet grand finale makes up for the movie’s corny tone and sluggish pacing.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/25

Full Review

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Mimi Leder

Director

Robert Duvall

Captain Spurgeon "Fish" Tanner

Téa Leoni

Jenny Lerner

Elijah Wood

Leo Beiderman

Vanessa Redgrave

Robin Lerner

Morgan Freeman

President Tom Beck

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Deep Impact: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

A comet is hurtling toward Earth and could mean the end of all human life. The U.S. government keeps the crisis under wraps, but crack reporter Jenny Lerner (Tea Leoni) uncovers the truth -- forcing U.S. President Beck (Morgan Freeman) to announce his plan. Grizzled astronaut Spurgeon "Fish" Tanner (Robert Duvall) and his team will land on the comet and lay explosives, hopefully deterring the object from its doomsday course. If not, humanity will have to prepare for the worst.

Director: Mimi Leder
Producer: Richard D. Zanuck, David Brown
Screenwriter: Bruce Joel Rubin, Michael Tolkin
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Zanuck/Brown Productions, DreamWorks SKG
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 8, 1998, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $140.4M
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Surround

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