The Ring

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The Ring

PG-13

Released Oct 18, 2002

1h 55m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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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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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

Fico Cangiano

CineXpress Podcast

A solid, moody horror flick, elevated by Gore Verbinski's elegant choices and Naomi Watt's lead performance. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 3.5/5

Mar 28, 2025

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

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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

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Jinnifer F

Absolutely scary and I love it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/15/25

Full Review

Gabriel L

Love this movie. Super scary and unnerving, and is one of the scariest movies I have scene

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/13/25

Full Review

Rachel 9

This movie made absolutely no sense. Don't waste your time.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/13/25

Full Review

Audience Member

This is one of the scariest films of all time as far as creepy visuals go. It's not gory so you can skip it if you're into that but if you're into true horrific ghost stories/ mysteries, you'll enjoy this.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/04/25

Full Review

Adam B

Well not necessarily a bad movie, led by good settings and great acting, it's a shame that there really is no reason to watch this movie again. There truly is almost nothing to really say other than it's completely outclassed by its Japanese original Ringu. This does contain a bit more action, as do many American remakes, but it loses alot of the intrigue with much worse writing then the original.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/11/25

Full Review

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Gore Verbinski

Director

Naomi Watts

Rachel Keller

Martin Henderson

Noah

David Dorfman

Aidan

Brian Cox

Richard Morgan

Jane Alexander

Dr. Grasnik

The Ring: Official Clip - Samara Comes to You

2:13

The Ring: Official Clip - What Did You Do To Her?

2:12

The Ring: Official Clip - Into the Well

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The Ring: Official Clip - You Will Die in Seven Days

2:12

The Ring: Official Clip - The Tape

2:12

The Ring: Official Clip - Nose Bleed

2:04

The Ring: Official Clip - Ferry Accident

2:13

The Ring: Official Clip - Nightmare

1:53

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The Ring: Trailer 1

1:28

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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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