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Paul

Play trailer Poster for Paul R Released Mar 18, 2011 1h 44m Comedy Adventure Sci-Fi Play Trailer Watchlist
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70% Tomatometer 205 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
For the past 60 years, a wisecracking alien named Paul (Seth Rogen) has resided at a top-secret military base in America's UFO heartland. When Paul decides he has had enough of Earth, he escapes from the compound and hops on the first handy vehicle -- a rented RV manned by two British sci-fi nerds named Graeme (Simon Pegg) and Clive (Nick Frost). With federal agents and the father of an accidental kidnap victim on their tail, the two hatch a crazy plan to help Paul return to his spaceship.
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Paul

Paul

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Critics Consensus

It doesn't measure up to Pegg and Frost's best work, but Paul is an amiably entertaining -- albeit uneven -- road trip comedy with an intergalactic twist.

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Critics Reviews

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Jim Schembri The Age (Australia) Passably funny, though one suspects even diehard sci-fi buffs will find the film's wall-to-wall pop referencing tiring and a tad lazy. Doesn't anybody write genuine jokes any more? Rated: 2.5/5 Apr 13, 2011 Full Review Paul Byrnes Sydney Morning Herald Paul isn't as riotous as the early Pegg and Frost movies, but it does have a certain sweetness. Everyone in it is sort of innocent, except Paul, the alien wisecracker. It's likeable, if uneven, rather than hilarious. Rated: 3/5 Apr 13, 2011 Full Review Sara Michelle Fetters MovieFreak.com It is a sunny road trip comedy that had me smiling from the start, and while there are the occasional hiccups this is still as breezily a good time at the movies as I've had this year. Rated: 3/4 Mar 25, 2011 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Mottola’s direction is serviceable, and the impressive cast of comedians and cameos make for consistent laughs. Rated: 3/4 Jul 31, 2023 Full Review James McMahon NME (New Musical Express) Paul is more defiant, a flicked Vulcan sign saying 'like it or leave it'. I liked it, loads. Rated: 4/5 May 25, 2021 Full Review Christopher Suter CineVue A solid piece of work with many hilarious moments, the ensemble cast work perfectly together and the references never miss their mark. Rated: 4/5 Mar 22, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Koi P Entertaining and legit funny at every turn. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/05/25 Full Review Rick M If I could give it a lower rating, I would. 95% trash. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 04/27/25 Full Review Gavione M this film was class. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/05/25 Full Review Melissa M A lot of people think this movie is not one of Simon Pegg or Nick Frost's best movie. But beg to differ. They haven't made a movie yet that wasn't freaking awesome. In the time when Hollywood is all remakes, sequels & prequels. Pegg & Frost come up with new, fresh, raw & original ideas. Hollywood could learn a lot from them. The movie is not oversaturated with unnecessary effects or a lot of CGI. Seth Rogen does the voice of Paul & he is lol. He looks like ET & but he talks like Daniel Tosh. Kristen Wiig who plays the Ruth who's the Pollyanna type whose family owns a trailer park. Eventually has a close encounter with Paul. She wants to go on this wild ride with Clive, Paul, & Graham to see the world. As the movie progresses Ruth becomes a potty mouth Pollyanna. Jason Bateman with this deadpan humor & dry wit is perfect as Agent Zoil. Sigourney Weaver Usually in movies she's fighting aliens this time she's hunting them down. Her character is ballsy & brassy. It's awesome how it's not revealed who Big Guy is until almost the end of the movie. The characters of agents Haggard & O'Reilly are the equivalency of dumb & dumber. But boy are they fun to watch. Think this movie is highly underrated. And doesn't get the credit that deserves. There are very few movies that are worth watching more than once. This movie is not only worth watching multiple times. It's DVD & Blu-ray Worthy. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/03/25 Full Review Amir S Very funny movie. You all must see this movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/15/25 Full Review robert b I was laughing so hard I wept with joy. What more is there to say? Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/02/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Greg Mottola

Director

Simon Pegg

Graeme Willy

Nick Frost

Clive Gollings

Seth Rogen

Paul

Jason Bateman

Agent Zoil

Kristen Wiig

Ruth Buggs

Movie Clips

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Paul

Paul: Official Clip - The Big Guy Paul: Official Clip - The Big Guy 2:23 Paul: Official Clip - Escaping the Farm Paul: Official Clip - Escaping the Farm 2:38 Paul: Official Clip - Really Strong Weed Paul: Official Clip - Really Strong Weed 2:45 Paul: Official Clip - New to Cursing Paul: Official Clip - New to Cursing 0:45 Paul: Official Clip - Evolve This Paul: Official Clip - Evolve This 2:17 Paul: Official Clip - Dead Bird Paul: Official Clip - Dead Bird 1:31 Paul: Official Clip - Farting Buttholes Paul: Official Clip - Farting Buttholes 2:17 Paul: Official Clip - Spaceman Balls Paul: Official Clip - Spaceman Balls 2:44 Paul: Official Clip - Spaz Attack Paul: Official Clip - Spaz Attack 2:31 Paul: Official Clip - Awkward Makeout Paul: Official Clip - Awkward Makeout 1:19 View more videos

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Paul

(L-R) Kristen Wiig as Ruth, Paul, Nick Frost as Clive, Simon Pegg as Graema and Blythe Danner as Tara in "Paul." (L-R) Paul and Simon Pegg as Graeme in "Paul." (L-R) Nick Frost as Clive Gollings, Kristen Wiig as Ruth Buggs and Simon Pegg as Graeme Willy in "Paul." (L-R) Simon Pegg as Graeme Willy, Kristen Wiig as Ruth Buggs, Nick Frost as Clive Gollings and Paul in "Paul." Sigourney Weaver (left) as The Big Guy in "Paul." Blythe Danner as Tara Walton in "Paul." (L-R) Joe Lo Truglio as O'Reilly and Bill Hader as Haggard in "Paul." (L-R) Nick Frost as Clive Gollings and Simon Pegg as Graeme Willy in "Paul." (L-R) Nick Frost as Clive Gollings and Simon Pegg as Graeme Willy in "Paul." (L-R) Jane Lynch as Pat Stevens and Kristen Wiig as Ruth Buggs in "Paul." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis For the past 60 years, a wisecracking alien named Paul (Seth Rogen) has resided at a top-secret military base in America's UFO heartland. When Paul decides he has had enough of Earth, he escapes from the compound and hops on the first handy vehicle -- a rented RV manned by two British sci-fi nerds named Graeme (Simon Pegg) and Clive (Nick Frost). With federal agents and the father of an accidental kidnap victim on their tail, the two hatch a crazy plan to help Paul return to his spaceship.
Director
Greg Mottola
Producer
Nira Park, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner
Screenwriter
Simon Pegg, Nick Frost
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Working Title Films
Rating
R (Sexual References|Language|Some Drug Use)
Genre
Comedy, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 18, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 5, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$37.4M
Runtime
1h 44m
Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS
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