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The Ring

Play trailer 1:28 Poster for The Ring PG-13 Released Oct 18, 2002 1h 55m Horror Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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71% Tomatometer 210 Reviews 48% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
It sounds like just another urban legend -- a videotape filled with nightmarish images leads to a phone call foretelling the viewer's death in exactly seven days. Newspaper reporter Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts) is skeptical of the story until four teenagers all die mysteriously exactly one week after watching just such a tape. Allowing her investigative curiosity to get the better of her, Rachel tracks down the video and watches it. Now she has just seven days to unravel the mystery.
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The Ring

The Ring

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Critics Consensus

With little gore and a lot of creepy visuals, The Ring gets under your skin, thanks to director Gore Verbinski's haunting sense of atmosphere and an impassioned performance from Naomi Watts.

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Critics Reviews

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Keith Phipps AV Club Gore Verbinski creates an air of dread that begins with the first scene and never lets up, subtly incorporating elements from the current wave of Japanese horror films along the way. Rated: B+ Jul 25, 2014 Full Review David Edelstein Slate The filmmakers have wisely stayed close to the original's mood, which is somber and flat, with quick (near-subliminal) inserts and a soundtrack full of watery-grave groans and murmurs. Jul 25, 2014 Full Review Richard Schickel TIME Magazine An edgy, watchable film, but one that makes you feel more squeamish than screamish. Jul 25, 2014 Full Review Elisa Guimarães Collider The Ring is one of those rare movies that gain something when you watch it at home instead of in theaters. Jan 29, 2024 Full Review Kristy Strouse Wonderfully Weird and Horrifying The Ring captivates audiences with its original concept, atmospheric horror, psychological thrills, compelling characters, and a twist ending that resonates long after the credits roll. Nov 8, 2023 Full Review Rick Romancito The Taos News It created a myth, one that drew upon the supernatural and, like assembling a dark puzzle, elements of modern life such as video recordings, technology, and most effectively a mystery full of portent. Rated: B+ Oct 29, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Rebecca One of my favorite horror movies! I was excited to see it again in the theatre:) Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/24/22 Full Review Audience M This film is average at best, the highlight being Watts’s convincing central performance. It is entertaining for the first half, however, the second half drags on and lacks any more gore or creepy visuals. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/09/24 Full Review TROY S The Ring is be one of the best horror films of the 2000s. Strong story, solid acting, successfully creepy and just as effective on second and third viewing. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/07/24 Full Review Donald L I LIKE "THE RING" BECAUSE IT IS INTELLIGENTLY MADE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE MOVIE, WHICH IS UNUSUAL FOR ANYTHING THESE DAYS! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/03/24 Full Review Rami A Gore Verbinski's "The Ring" is often regarded as a classic in the horror genre, but it does exhibit some notable structural problems. The film opens powerfully as a horror narrative, effectively setting an eerie tone that hooks the audience. However, for about 85% of its runtime, the focus shifts away from chilling moments to a mystery or investigative plot, which can disrupt the immersive horror experience. This lengthy setup, while engaging, ultimately leads to a climax that feels surprisingly brief in comparison. Although the backstory is intriguing and adds depth to the narrative, it might have benefited from a more concise exploration, as its dominance over the film’s progression can dilute the intensity of the overall horror elements. In summary, while "The Ring" has its strengths, its pacing, and structural choices could be improved to enhance the viewer's experience of the film's runtime. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/30/24 Full Review Chase P I really liked it! The perfect mix of unsettling and scary. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/27/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

The Ring

The Ring: Official Clip - Samara Comes to You The Ring: Official Clip - Samara Comes to You 2:13 The Ring: Official Clip - What Did You Do To Her? The Ring: Official Clip - What Did You Do To Her? 2:12 The Ring: Official Clip - Into the Well The Ring: Official Clip - Into the Well 2:12 The Ring: Official Clip - You Will Die in Seven Days The Ring: Official Clip - You Will Die in Seven Days 2:12 The Ring: Official Clip - The Tape The Ring: Official Clip - The Tape 2:12 The Ring: Official Clip - Nose Bleed The Ring: Official Clip - Nose Bleed 2:04 The Ring: Official Clip - Ferry Accident The Ring: Official Clip - Ferry Accident 2:13 The Ring: Official Clip - Nightmare The Ring: Official Clip - Nightmare 1:53 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis It sounds like just another urban legend -- a videotape filled with nightmarish images leads to a phone call foretelling the viewer's death in exactly seven days. Newspaper reporter Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts) is skeptical of the story until four teenagers all die mysteriously exactly one week after watching just such a tape. Allowing her investigative curiosity to get the better of her, Rachel tracks down the video and watches it. Now she has just seven days to unravel the mystery.
Director
Gore Verbinski
Producer
Walter F. Parkes, Laurie MacDonald
Screenwriter
Ehren Kruger, Scott Frank, Kôji Suzuki
Distributor
DreamWorks SKG
Production Co
DreamWorks SKG
Rating
PG-13 (Language|Disturbing Images|Some Drug References|Thematic Elements)
Genre
Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 18, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 4, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$128.6M
Runtime
1h 55m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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