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

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Alistair D

There's nothing wrong with satire, a fine example of that is Terry Gilliams Brazil which is a tongue and cheek parody of 1984. He did not sign on to direct 1984 and then violate the author's original work. And now retrospectively he seems to be entitled to the work, as if he were the original writer, the creative entity behind it when, he may very well have done nothing creative in his entire life, The writer that he chooses to denounce pioneered the field that has been so lucrative for him. And I end with his whitewashing of characters that were people of color, Which I find morally objectional to say the very least.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/03/25

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tim s

While not the most groundbreaking sci-fi film, Starship Troopers remains one of the most enjoyable. This bitingly satiric take on a militarized society features ample gore alongside special effects that have held up well since 1997. The relentless alien bug rampages are depicted as unstoppable despite humanity's valiant efforts. Starship Troopers continues to hold a special place in the zeitgeist of cinema from the last 30 years, and for good reason.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/20/25

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Morgan M.

Starship Troopers is a pulpy, bloody, awkward, and slyly intelligent beast that works best when you let it be all those things at once.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/13/25

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Gareth v

A deceptively smart cult classic. Equal parts ridiculous action spectacle and biting social commentary.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/09/25

Full Review

Cole D

Van hovens, 1997 movie starship. Troopers remains one of the greatest sci Fi films of all time. As much as the movie relies on the satire of fascism is also a great coming of age story for a group of young students who wish to join the federal service. Classic characters like Johnny Rico are few and far between.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/06/25

Full Review

Cfunk D

The movie is mid. The space craft scenes suck. It is a failed Hollywood attempt at making this book a movie. It doesn't know if its a deep political drama or action. There cool scenes with cool effects but doesn't do a good job at the real political meaning in the book.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/20/25

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

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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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