Sphere

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Sphere

PG-13

1998

2h 13m

Sci-Fi

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

13%

Tomatometer

55 Reviews

38%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

When psychologist Norman Goodman (Dustin Hoffman) wrote a report for the government on how to deal with extraterrestrial life forces, he didn't expect his recommendations to be used. Now that a secret government agency is investigating what may be an alien spaceship that has been discovered partially buried on the floor of the Pacific Ocean, Norman finds that the plan he outlined is being put into effect and that the team he named in his report has been assembled.

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Critics Consensus

Sphere features an A-level cast working with B-grade material, with a story seen previously in superior science-fiction films.

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Desson Thomson

Washington Post

Ultimately, the explanation we've been waiting for turns out to be just that: an explanation.

Jan 8, 2018

Full Review

Todd McCarthy

Variety

An empty shell.

Aug 5, 2008

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Derek Adams

Time Out

Three major stars being involved, it all wraps up happily but implausibly.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

Dan DiNicola

The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY)

An undersea, sci-fi, paranoid thriller which packs tension but cannot release the powerful payoff we have a right to expect.

Rated: B-

Jan 19, 2023

Full Review

Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

Adding to the downfalls is the unavailable chemistry between the leads, Hoffman and Stone. No sparks seem to fly in this relationship and we don’t feel a kinship to either.

Rated: 1.5/4

Jan 18, 2023

Full Review

Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

It pays to be incredibly suspicious of a movie where nearly all dramatic tension is drawn from characters standing around bleeping computer screens and commenting on how bad things look.

Rated: 1.5/5

Aug 7, 2020

Full Review

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Noel L

This film is like 2001: A Space Odyssey meets The Abyss. But take away the level of quality

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

11/07/25

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Daniel N

Slow burning and feels its age but is worth a watch.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/21/25

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Mark C

What a waste of 3 great actors! The book should never have been published and movie never made. Hodgepodge of scenes with no meaningful content. Acting was good but even these incredible actors could not save this movie. If there was ever a movie that should have hit the trash early and often this was it. No real science and not much thought went into this disaster!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

08/17/25

Full Review

Diet Dr. Paul .

An undervalued sci-fi gem! Is it perfect… not by a long stretch, but it has everything you want in a late 1990’s sci-fi thriller—iconic actors, over the top set pieces and incredibly cheesy dialogue wrapped in James Cameron, Abyss-esque VFX. Grab some popcorn and kick your feet up for this one, just don’t expect anything groundbreaking or revolutionary!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/10/25

Full Review

John C

Watching someone unclog a toilet is more entertaining.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/07/25

Full Review

Matt S

An underrated, thoughtful, and enjoyable popcorn sci-fi thriller. Where the script sometimes falls short, the A-list cast more than compensates, inhabiting their characters fully in a way that is entertaining and drives the narrative forward, keeping you on your toes. It also has an excellent soundtrack. This movie deserves a rewatch and raises interesting questions, especially in modern contexts. It was given a bit of a bad rep at the time due to Sci-fi fatigue, but it is absolutely worth your time if you enjoy this genre or any of the lead cast’s performances.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/03/25

Full Review

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Barry Levinson

Director

Dustin Hoffman

Dr. Norman Goodman

Sharon Stone

Dr. Beth Halperin

Samuel L. Jackson

Dr. Harry Adams

Peter Coyote

Captain Harold C. Barnes

Liev Schreiber

Dr. Ted Fielding

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Synopsis

When psychologist Norman Goodman (Dustin Hoffman) wrote a report for the government on how to deal with extraterrestrial life forces, he didn't expect his recommendations to be used. Now that a secret government agency is investigating what may be an alien spaceship that has been discovered partially buried on the floor of the Pacific Ocean, Norman finds that the plan he outlined is being put into effect and that the team he named in his report has been assembled.

Director: Barry Levinson
Producer: Michael Crichton, Barry Levinson, Andrew Wald
Screenwriter: Michael Crichton, Kurt Wimmer, Stephen Hauser, Paul Attanasio
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Punch Productions, Constant c Productions, Baltimore Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Startling Images|Sci-Fi Action)
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 13, 1998, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $37.0M
Runtime: 2h 13m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby A, SDDS, DTS, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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