Forbidden Planet

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Forbidden Planet

G

1956

1h 38m

Sci-Fi

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

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51 Reviews

85%

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10,000+ Ratings

In this sci-fi classic, a spacecraft travels to the distant planet Altair IV to discover the fate of a group of scientists sent there decades earlier. When Commander John J. Adams (Leslie Nielsen) and his crew arrive, they discover only two people: Dr. Morbius (Walter Pidgeon) and his daughter, Altaira (Anne Francis), who was born on the remote planet. Soon, Adams begins to uncover the mystery of what happened on Altair IV, and why Morbius and Altaira are the sole survivors.

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Critics Consensus

Shakespeare gets the deluxe space treatment in Forbidden Planet, an adaptation of The Tempest with impressive sets and seamless special effects.

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TIME Magazine

[A] nifty interstellar meller.

Jul 26, 2011

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

An engaging 1956 science fiction gloss of Shakespeare's Tempest.

Jul 26, 2011

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Classic '50s sci-fi flick is campy fun.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 24, 2010

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

A dull science-fiction film that, despite the special effects, mostly remains in a safe zone of predictable clichés and one-dimensional characters that never add value to its planetary adventure in CinemaScope. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 5/10

May 7, 2025

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Alan Jones

Radio Times

An enthralling eye-popper.

Rated: 5/5

Sep 13, 2024

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Pat Padua

Washington City Paper

What <em>Forbidden Planet</em> lacks in iambic pentameter, it makes up for in highly saturated mid-century colors and special effects that may seem primitive but give a painterly elegance to the space-age journey.

Apr 17, 2024

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Navid S.

A stunning sci-fi milestone that feels decades ahead of its time. Forbidden Planet mixes pulp adventure with deep psychology and philosophical weight. The visuals, effects, and eerie electronic score are mesmerizing, but what really lingers is the idea that our own subconscious fears can destroy us when given too much power. It’s both grand and tragic, a film that still feels fresh and unsettling after all these years.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/28/25

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George M

Along with THEM! The Day the Earth Stood Still (avoid at all costs that terrible remake), The Thing From Another World and War of the Worlds, this is one of the greatest, and most influential, well-made science fiction movies to come out of the 1950's. It also introduces one of the two greatest robots ever created for the screen; Robby. The other of course is the silent yet dangerous Gort from The Day the Earth Stood Still. I've watched this at least two hundred times, own the bluray and never get tired of it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/24/25

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Steve M.

Definitely in the Top Ten of all time greatest science fiction movies ever made.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/20/25

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Isaiah Y

Classic sci-fi film with entertaining special effects for its time

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/19/25

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thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/14/25

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Dennis R

Peter From KeycheinX And His Team is AMAZING! I can confirm that the reviews are real! I was one of those unfortunate people that misplaced password and have been lock out of a wallet for almost 10 years! Must have tried over 5,000 attempts over the years just hoping. Then I found KeycheinX! The team is truly amazing and I am forever grateful that they were able to recover ALL my funds. Do not waste another second, this team is the absolute best! I wish I could give 10 stars. Telegram: + 1(415) 7'2'7-9'8'8'0 Email: KeycheinX (@ mail. com

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/24/25

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Fred M. Wilcox

Director

Walter Pidgeon

Dr. Edward Morbius

Anne Francis

Altaira Morbius

Leslie Nielsen

Commander John J. Adams

Warren Stevens

Lt. "Doc" Ostrow

Jack Kelly

Lt. Jerry Farman

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Synopsis

In this sci-fi classic, a spacecraft travels to the distant planet Altair IV to discover the fate of a group of scientists sent there decades earlier. When Commander John J. Adams (Leslie Nielsen) and his crew arrive, they discover only two people: Dr. Morbius (Walter Pidgeon) and his daughter, Altaira (Anne Francis), who was born on the remote planet. Soon, Adams begins to uncover the mystery of what happened on Altair IV, and why Morbius and Altaira are the sole survivors.

Director: Fred M. Wilcox
Producer: Nicholas Nayfack
Screenwriter: William Shakespeare, Irving Block, Cyril Hume
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Criterion Collection
Production Co: Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Rating: G
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 15, 1956, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 25, 2008
Runtime: 1h 38m

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