The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

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The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

PG

Released Apr 29, 2005

1h 49m

Sci-Fi

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

60%

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196 Reviews

65%

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100,000+ Ratings

Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman) is trying to prevent his house from being bulldozed when his friend Ford Prefect (Mos Def) whisks him into outer space. It turns out Ford is an alien who has just saved Arthur from Earth's total annihilation. Ford introduces Arthur to his myriad friends, including many-headed President Zaphod Beeblebrox (Sam Rockwell) and sexy refugee Trillian (Zooey Deschanel). Arthur makes his way across the stars while seeking the meaning of life, or something close to it.

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Critics Consensus

A frantic and occasional funny adaptation of Douglas Adams' novel. However, it may have those unfamiliar with the source material scratching their heads.

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Empire Magazine

Rated: 4/5

Apr 1, 2006

Full Review

Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

Adams would be pleased.

Rated: 3/4

May 6, 2005

Full Review

Richard Roeper

Ebert & Roeper

May 5, 2005

Full Review

Kathi Maio

The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction

I was quite pleased with the not-too-Hollywood movie version of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Adams might have been, too. Adams zealots might be a bit disappointed, but maybe they will be happy that the movie was, at least, finally made.

Feb 28, 2020

Full Review

Micheal Compton

Bowling Green Daily News

There were moments in Hitchhiker where I was mildly amused, including a musical number by dolphins right before they leave Earth, but for the most part, the dry British humor just fell flat.

Nov 18, 2019

Full Review

Tim Brayton

Alternate Ending

Could surely be a lot better, but there's much to enjoy in the film that exists, with its organic mixture of comic tones, and generally upbeat attitude of breezy fun.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 19, 2017

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Ruairi M

Underrated. Dealing with the source material nicely

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/09/24

Full Review

Jay H

The book is one of my favorites, and I'm quite fond of this movie, too. It's a shame we never got a follow-up.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/13/24

Full Review

Ranjeeth T

The acting was entertaining, and the visuals were a good match for the original story. However, the movie deviated quite a bit from the book Act 2 onwards, adding a romance arc that took the story somewhere else. Also, the story flattened into a good guys / bad-guys motif, disturbing the quirky charm of the original story. So a thumbs down for me.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/16/24

Full Review

David W

Choose someone other than Martin Freeman, the only character he can ever play is Martin Freeman.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/15/24

Full Review

David H

The 1981 film was not very satisfying. I was hoping for more from this newer version, but it's not great, either. I think the issue is that some books just don't translate to film very well. Or it may be that the humor is just too dated now. I loved the books when I read them in college, but I don't have much interest in re-reading them now.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/03/24

Full Review

Jonathan L

One of the most underrated comedies ever made in my opinion. Granted, you have to be familiar with subtle British humor to get the genious of it. Even if you don't though, the other gags and all star cast still make it fun to watch. 87/100

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/02/24

Full Review

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Garth Jennings

Director

Martin Freeman

Arthur Dent

Yasiin Bey

Ford Prefect

Sam Rockwell

Zaphod Beeblebrox

Zooey Deschanel

Tricia McMillan ("Trillian")

Warwick Davis

Marvin the Paranoid Android

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Synopsis

Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman) is trying to prevent his house from being bulldozed when his friend Ford Prefect (Mos Def) whisks him into outer space. It turns out Ford is an alien who has just saved Arthur from Earth's total annihilation. Ford introduces Arthur to his myriad friends, including many-headed President Zaphod Beeblebrox (Sam Rockwell) and sexy refugee Trillian (Zooey Deschanel). Arthur makes his way across the stars while seeking the meaning of life, or something close to it.

Director: Garth Jennings
Producer: Roger Birnbaum, Gary Barber, Jonathan Glickman, Jay Roach, Nick Goldsmith
Screenwriter: Karey Kirkpatrick, Douglas Adams
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Spyglass Entertainment
Rating: PG (Mild Language|Action|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 29, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 25, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $51.0M
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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