National Treasure

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2:22

National Treasure

PG

Released Nov 19, 2004

2h 10m

Adventure

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

47%

Tomatometer

176 Reviews

76%

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250,000+ Ratings

Historian and code-breaker Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) has been searching his whole life for a rumored treasure dating back to the creation of the United States. Joining an expedition led by fellow treasure hunter Ian Howe (Sean Bean), Gates finds an ice-locked Colonial ship in the Arctic Circle that contains a clue linking the treasure to the Declaration of Independence. But when Howe betrays him, Gates has to race to get to the document ahead of his so-called colleague.

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Critics Consensus

National Treasure is no treasure, but it's a fun ride for those who can forgive its highly improbable plot.

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Matthew Rozsa

Salon.com

It is a definitely guilty pleasure, and 90 percent of the reason why can be summed up in two words: Nicolas Cage.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 4, 2019

Full Review

Namrata Joshi

Outlook

There might be too many inaccuracies in the plot, the mix of the past and the present is naive and at times downright silly but makes for fun viewing if you don't put your thinking caps on. The film has enough to keep you involved.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 8, 2019

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Historical adventure is a fun romp for tweens and up.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 26, 2010

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

It’s never as good as the properties it apes (some of which are copied copiously and brazenly; it struggles with a unique identity), but it’s still routinely funny and entertaining.

Rated: 6/10

Feb 6, 2025

Full Review

Jason Delgado

Film Threat

Fire up the grill and enjoy a little Cage madness mashed together with some over-the-top Jerry Bruckheimer action!

Rated: 7/10

Jul 4, 2022

Full Review

Micheal Compton

Bowling Green Daily News

Directed by Jon Turteltaub, National Treasure is nothing but a series of silly stunts and chases that just rush by.

Rated: D

Nov 18, 2019

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D P

I knew there was a reason I never cared to watch this film. 20 years later, I finally watch it, and I was totally justified. I didn't care for this at all.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

09/13/25

Full Review

Savannah G

I don't think I will ever be a fan of Nicholas Cage - it was enjoyable to watch. Just as satisfying as a Disney crime movie would be pleasant to watch and see a little bit of Drama, but not one of my favorites.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/08/25

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Mitchell S

This is one of those movies in which you ignore the critics. It dang well is a treasure! It's action-packed, funny, and makes history fun!!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/02/25

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Noel L

What an exciting adventure. I loved it. If anything, I would say that they might have gone a bit overboard with the amount of jokes they did

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/28/25

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Stachu K

It's just cool but nothing fantastic

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/30/25

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Kaleb W

National Treasure - C+

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/30/25

Full Review

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Jon Turteltaub

Director

Nicolas Cage

Ben Gates

Diane Kruger

Abigail Chase

Justin Bartha

Riley Poole

Sean Bean

Ian Howe

Jon Voight

Patrick Gates

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Synopsis

Historian and code-breaker Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) has been searching his whole life for a rumored treasure dating back to the creation of the United States. Joining an expedition led by fellow treasure hunter Ian Howe (Sean Bean), Gates finds an ice-locked Colonial ship in the Arctic Circle that contains a clue linking the treasure to the Declaration of Independence. But when Howe betrays him, Gates has to race to get to the document ahead of his so-called colleague.

Director: Jon Turteltaub
Producer: Oren Aviv, Jerry Bruckheimer
Screenwriter: Ted Elliott, E. Max Frye, Jim Kouf, Marianne Wibberley, Cormac Wibberley
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Declaration Productions Inc., Touchstone Pictures, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Junction
Rating: PG (Some Scary Images|Action/Violence)
Genre: Adventure, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 19, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $173.0M
Runtime: 2h 10m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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