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Dunkirk

Play trailer 2:26 Poster for Dunkirk PG-13 Released Jul 21, 2017 1h 47m War History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
92% Tomatometer 469 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
In May 1940, Germany advanced into France, trapping Allied troops on the beaches of Dunkirk. Under air and ground cover from British and French forces, troops were slowly and methodically evacuated from the beach using every serviceable naval and civilian vessel that could be found. At the end of this heroic mission, 330,000 French, British, Belgian and Dutch soldiers were safely evacuated.
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Dunkirk

Dunkirk

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Critics Consensus

Dunkirk serves up emotionally satisfying spectacle, delivered by a writer-director in full command of his craft and brought to life by a gifted ensemble cast that honors the fact-based story.

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Critics Reviews

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Karen Han Slashfilm The visuals, the structure, the use of sound and music, and the simple presence of a beating heart - all come together in a whole that is truly breathtaking. Rated: 9/10 Dec 8, 2017 Full Review Kristen Lopez Culturess Dunkirk shows off Nolan's own techniques as a filmmaker to make for a film that is technically, if not completely narratively, lustrous. Nov 20, 2017 Full Review Adam Nayman Cinema Scope The strange problem posed by the movie is, in terms of what it sets out to do, completely of a piece but missing the surge of feeling that would make that thing worth doing. Sep 28, 2017 Full Review JD Duran InSession Film Dunkirk is a the best directed film of the year and perhaps Christopher Nolan’s best film yet. The way he plays with space and time, alongside his technical prowess of sensory storytelling, makes the film so immersive in supplanting you into these events. Aug 8, 2024 Full Review Brendan Cassidy InSession Film Nolan chooses to put more weight in opening a door to save someone, or helping to bury a dead companion, than he is with saving a life. This makes Dunkirk surprisingly rewatchable, even on the small screen at home... Jul 2, 2024 Full Review Don Shanahan Every Movie Has a Lesson As technically proficient and respectful to history as Dunkirk is, no substantial human anchors of emotion emerge in this film that wants to be seen as an inspiring rescue saga before a war film or historical epic. Rated: 3/5 Apr 7, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Christopher Just something you have to experience at least once in your life Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/08/25 Full Review Tom A wall of sound creating a mounting sense of dread for the men who found themselves surprised and cutoff by a relentless enemy. An imperfect film but one that uses sound design and editing with precision to create a sense of ever rising anxiety and dread. In that most crucial sense, I think the film accomplishes its mission at creating an authentic set of feelings for the audience while still honoring the memory of the men who experienced this battle firsthand. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/28/24 Full Review Steven M. Dunkirk is Christopher Nolan’s second best film! Excellent movie! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/29/21 Full Review Katie D Very intense acting, captivating score, a bit loud and difficult to understand but I appreciated that it didn't feel too long. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/15/21 Full Review BadNews R Christopher Nolan (director) delivers another masterpiece with Dunkirk, a war film that immerses viewers in the chaos and tension of World War II. The story focuses on the 1940 evacuation of Allied soldiers from Dunkirk, France, when German forces trapped hundreds of thousands on the beaches. The film’s structure is unique, following three overlapping timelines: land, sea, and air. On land, we follow Tommy (Fionn Whitehead), Peter (Tom Glynn-Carney), and Alex (Harry Styles), young soldiers desperately trying to escape. Their fear, uncertainty, and camaraderie drive the emotional core of the story, making the viewer feel every moment of danger. At sea, Mr. Dawson (Mark Rylance) and his son Peter (also Tom Glynn-Carney) sail a civilian boat alongside George (Barry Keoghan) to help rescue stranded troops. These scenes highlight courage and humanity, showing ordinary people performing extraordinary acts. In the air, Farrier (Tom Hardy) and Collins (Jack Lowden) provide air cover for the evacuation. The dogfights are intense, well-choreographed, and thrilling, giving a sense of the scale and danger of aerial warfare. The performances across the cast are excellent. Fionn Whitehead delivers a grounded, emotional portrayal of a soldier facing impossible odds. Mark Rylance and Barry Keoghan bring warmth and authenticity to the civilian storyline, while Tom Hardy’s stoic presence adds tension and heroism in the air. Nolan’s direction is meticulous, with a strong focus on tension, timing, and atmosphere. Combined with Hans Zimmer’s relentless score and stunning cinematography, the film creates a fully immersive experience without relying heavily on dialogue. Overall, Dunkirk is a gripping, emotionally powerful war film that showcases the bravery and resilience of soldiers and civilians alike. Nolan’s attention to detail, along with standout performances from Fionn Whitehead, Tom Glynn-Carney, Harry Styles, Mark Rylance, Barry Keoghan, and Tom Hardy, make this one of the most intense and memorable war films of recent years. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/09/25 Full Review Jacob B Christopher Nolan does it again: visuals that are beyond impressive, great actors, and a story that is cold and not involving. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 09/08/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Dunkirk

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Movie Info

Synopsis In May 1940, Germany advanced into France, trapping Allied troops on the beaches of Dunkirk. Under air and ground cover from British and French forces, troops were slowly and methodically evacuated from the beach using every serviceable naval and civilian vessel that could be found. At the end of this heroic mission, 330,000 French, British, Belgian and Dutch soldiers were safely evacuated.
Director
Christopher Nolan
Producer
Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan
Screenwriter
Christopher Nolan
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
IMAX Corporation, Warner Bros. Pictures
Rating
PG-13 (Some Language|Intense War Experience)
Genre
War, History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 21, 2017, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Jan 26, 2018
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 12, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$188.0M
Runtime
1h 47m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital, Datasat, Dolby Atmos
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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