District 9

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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

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Jeannette Catsoulis

NPR

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

Jun 17, 2015

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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

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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

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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

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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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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

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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

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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 sci-fans!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/07/25

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Fer S

Could not click with the story. I found the humor quite bad and the plot not very convincing.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/12/25

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Greg K

A clever setup, a straight story and a fresh cyberpunk setting. Best credentials for a solid sci-fi movie. But the glue that holds the film together are the main character, a dorky and naive non-hero who gets thrown into a boiling pot, and the depiction of how humans most likely would treat extraterrestrial life forms.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/23/25

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Aaron D

I really enjoyed this sci fi movie that attempts to be grounded in realism, and while it may be a bit obvious where the movie plans on going, my only real criticism is to show the prawns in a bit more of a sympathetic light as opposed to make the obvious antagonists the... obvious antagonists.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/09/25

Full Review

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Neill Blomkamp

Director

Sharlto Copley

Wikus Van De Merwe

Jason Cope

Grey Bradnam

David James

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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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