District 9

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2:15

District 9

R

Released Aug 14, 2009

1h 51m

Sci-Fi

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

310 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Thirty years ago, aliens arrive on Earth -- not to conquer or give aid, but -- to find refuge from their dying planet. Separated from humans in a South African area called District 9, the aliens are managed by Multi-National United, which is unconcerned with the aliens' welfare but will do anything to master their advanced technology. When a company field agent (Sharlto Copley) contracts a mysterious virus that begins to alter his DNA, there is only one place he can hide: District 9.

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Critics Consensus

Technically brilliant and emotionally wrenching, District 9 has action, imagination, and all the elements of a thoroughly entertaining science-fiction classic.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

I don't know guys, at the end of the day it's aliens and hard for me to take this seriously.

Rated: B

Sep 12, 2017

Full Review

Jeannette Catsoulis

NPR

The wonder is that despite its obvious roots, District 9 feels staggeringly original.

Jun 17, 2015

Full Review

Jonathan Romney

Independent on Sunday

Blomkamp is good at mustering speedy action and posting grisly sight gags in the background, carnage always hovering comically at the edge of your vision. But I'm not sure that District 9 entirely gets the earthling racism out of its own system.

Jun 17, 2015

Full Review

Fico Cangiano

CineXpress Podcast

Easily, one of the most original and exciting science fiction films of the last 20 years. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 4/5

Mar 28, 2025

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Blomkamp doesn’t miss a step. His film is cynical, funny, smart, exciting, and satirical—all without losing his audience’s involvement in the scenario.

Rated: 4/4

Sep 4, 2023

Full Review

John Brhel

Vague Visages

District 9 might not be a classic like Alien or ‘The Terminator’ (not many films are), but it’s still an effective sci-fi film with depth and style.

Jun 5, 2023

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useyour I

Brilliant writing, directing, and performances

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/02/25

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Alvaro F

La volví a ver y déjenme decirles que es una excelente Pelicula, definitivamente adelantado a su época y envejeció demasiado bien. si algún día sacan la secuela, ojala haga justicia a la primera.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/08/25

Full Review

thiago s

Filme legal pra caramba, o roteiro é legal, as cenas de são muito boas, o elenco é mais ou menos, e poucos ajuda a melhorar o filme, a história é boa sobre ets morarem na terra sobre o comando do estado, os personagens sao bacaninhas, com tudo isso, eu meio que recomendo esse filme.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/02/25

Full Review

jacob c

An uncommonly human alien film doubling as a political allegory, District 9 is a very smart and thrilling sci-fi story that takes a realistic approach to its extraordinary themes.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/09/25

Full Review

Audience Member

This is a stellar Sci-fi movie, and an even better social commentary. However, it ends with a horrible cliffhanger that completely butchers my opinion of the entire film. Maybe they'll make a sequel one day, but it's been years now...

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

04/07/25

Full Review

Paul S

This is one of the best alien invasion movies I have ever seen. The story was spectacular and compelling, and the visuals were amazing. I definitely recommend it for sci-fans!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/17/25

Full Review

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Neill Blomkamp

Director

Sharlto Copley

Wikus Van De Merwe

Jason Cope

Grey Bradnam

David James

Koobus Venter

Vanessa Haywood

Tania Van De Merwe

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District 9: Trailer 2

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District 9: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Thirty years ago, aliens arrive on Earth -- not to conquer or give aid, but -- to find refuge from their dying planet. Separated from humans in a South African area called District 9, the aliens are managed by Multi-National United, which is unconcerned with the aliens' welfare but will do anything to master their advanced technology. When a company field agent (Sharlto Copley) contracts a mysterious virus that begins to alter his DNA, there is only one place he can hide: District 9.

Director: Neill Blomkamp
Producer: Peter Jackson, Carolynne Cunningham
Screenwriter: Neill Blomkamp, Terri Tatchell
Distributor: Screen Gems, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: WingNut Films
Rating: R (Pervasive Language|Bloody Violence)
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 14, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $115.6M
Runtime: 1h 51m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS

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