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District 9

Play trailer 2:15 Poster for District 9 R Released Aug 14, 2009 1h 51m Sci-Fi Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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District 9

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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 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 Full Review Read all reviews
District 9

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Cast & Crew

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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

Mandla Gaduka

Fundiswa Mhlanga

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District 9

District 9: Trailer 2 District 9: Trailer 2 2:15 District 9: Trailer 1 District 9: Trailer 1 1:41 View more videos
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District 9

An alien in "District 9." (Center) Sharlto Copley as Wikus in "District 9." A scene from the film "District 9." (Center) Sharlto Copley as Wikus in "District 9." Sharlto Copley as Wikus in "District 9." (L-R) David James and director Neill Blomkamp on the set of "District 9." (L-R) Director Neill Blomkamp and Sharlto Copley on the set of "District 9." A scene from the film "District 9." Sharlto Copley as Wikus in "District 9." A scene from the film "District 9." View more photos

Movie Info

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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