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Starship Troopers

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Starship Troopers

R

Released Nov 7, 1997

2h 9m

Sci-Fi

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

72%

Tomatometer

82 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

In the distant future, the Earth is at war with a race of giant alien insects. Little is known about the Bugs except that they are intent on the eradication of all human life. But there was a time before the war... A Mobile Infantry travels to distant alien planets to take the war to the Bugs. They are a ruthless enemy with only one mission: Survival of their species no matter what the cost...

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Critics Consensus

A fun movie...if you can accept the excessive gore and wooden acting.

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Lisa Alspector

Chicago Reader

Director Paul Verhoeven blends the conflicting elements of intentional camp and perverse sincerity into a single tone—and he doesn’t resort to simple irony.

Mar 16, 2023

Full Review

Jason Bailey

Vice

In its early scenes, 'Troopers 'is basically a goofy high school movie, complete with love triangles, a big game, and a school dance (and sex) after. Once they've begun infantry training, the flexing of machismo so over the top, it can only be satire.

Nov 14, 2017

Full Review

Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

More effective as a satire than as an action extravaganza.

Rated: B+

Jun 20, 2005

Full Review

Ray Pride

Newcity

Cruelly visionary... You should see Verhoeven’s immense satiric mastery on the big screen, you should. (Beware those who identify with the bugs.) You want to know more.

Rated: 10/10

Feb 13, 2025

Full Review

Todd James

Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Alberta)

Despite the high-tech special effects, director Verhoeven allows for a lot of campy fun. This movie does not take itself seriously.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 6, 2024

Full Review

Don Shanahan

Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast

The biting and ballsy social commentary of Verhoeven still holds up.

Nov 3, 2023

Full Review

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Steve Z

I simply cannot look away.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/07/25

Full Review

Some Guy F

I don't like people who don't like this movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/05/25

Full Review

Charlie J

The book is better, but its a great movie that everyone should watch at least once.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/25/25

Full Review

Overport F

Rarely does a movie blend political commentary with equal character development as masterfully as Starship Troopers. The all-American graduate enlisting for his country, only to be thrown into a bloodbath, is a trope we’ll known, but where Verhoeven breakes ground is in the young man’s realisation: it’s his callling.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/11/25

Full Review

Rami A

I understand that this movie is a satire, but I felt it was a bit broken. There are moments when the film tries to add some drama but quickly shifts back to comedy. The first half flows smoothly, but the second half feels a bit rushed, particularly towards the end. It's the kind of movie that, once it reaches a certain point, must conclude, hence the rushed finale. That said, it's still very funny, and I can acknowledge its status as a "cult classic."

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/05/25

Full Review

Jack S

One of the best science fiction/war movies!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/22/25

Full Review

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Paul Verhoeven

Director

Casper Van Dien

Johnny Rico

Dina Meyer

Dizzy Flores

Denise Richards

Carmen Ibanez

Jake Busey

Ace Levy

Neil Patrick Harris

Carl Jenkins

Starship Troopers: Official Clip - We Need Soldiers!

2:12

Starship Troopers: Official Clip - The Brain Bug

2:02

Starship Troopers: Official Clip - The Mother Bug

2:11

Starship Troopers: Official Clip - Welcome to the Rough Necks

2:08

Starship Troopers: Official Clip - Bugs! Bugs! We've Got Bugs!

2:13

Starship Troopers: Official Clip - Ripped Apart

2:12

Starship Troopers: Official Clip - Anatomy of a Sand Beetle

1:24

Starship Troopers: Official Clip - Basic Training

2:12

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Synopsis

In the distant future, the Earth is at war with a race of giant alien insects. Little is known about the Bugs except that they are intent on the eradication of all human life. But there was a time before the war... A Mobile Infantry travels to distant alien planets to take the war to the Bugs. They are a ruthless enemy with only one mission: Survival of their species no matter what the cost...

Director: Paul Verhoeven
Producer: Jon Davison, Alan Marshall
Screenwriter: Robert A. Heinlein, Edward Neumeier
Distributor: Trimark Pictures
Production Co: Touchstone Pictures, TriStar Pictures, Big Bug Pictures
Rating: R (Nudity|Graphic Sci-Fi Violence/Gore|Some Language)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 7, 1997, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $54.7M
Runtime: 2h 9m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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