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The Darkest Minds

Play trailer 1:31 Poster for The Darkest Minds PG-13 Released Aug 3, 2018 1h 44m Sci-Fi Mystery & Thriller Action Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
15% Tomatometer 139 Reviews 70% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
When teens mysteriously develop powerful new abilities, they are declared a threat by the government and detained. One of the most powerful young people, Ruby, escapes from her camp and joins a group of runaways who are seeking a safe haven. Betrayed by the adults in power, this newfound family soon realizes that running is not enough -- they must use their collective powers to wage a resistance and take back their future.
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The Darkest Minds

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Critics Consensus

The Darkest Minds does little to differentiate itself in a crowded field of YA adaptations, leaving all but the least demanding viewers feeling dystopian déjà vu.

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Critics Reviews

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Ben Sachs Chicago Reader To say the film suggests a mix of hazy political allegory and Henry Darger's outside-art classic The Story of the Vivian Girls is to make it sound more interesting than it really is. Mar 4, 2020 Full Review Roxana Hadadi Chesapeake Family Magazine The Darkest Minds puts an X-Men spin on the typical 'teens in dystopia' YA formula, but the result is more derivative than creative. Rated: 2/5 Aug 17, 2018 Full Review Sandra Hall Sydney Morning Herald The film is framed so deliberately as a prelude to more exciting times to come in its sequels that it renders the ending oddly anti-climactic. Rated: 2.5/5 Aug 15, 2018 Full Review Brittany Patrice Witherspoon Pop Culture Reviews The Darkest Minds has some great ideas and moments sprinkled throughout the film, but ultimately, it is uninspired storytelling that wastes its potential on forced build-up rather than execution. Rated: 2.5/5 Jul 11, 2024 Full Review Joe Lipsett Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr Podcast The film leans into all of the book's worst impulses and, most disappointingly, gives star Amandla Stenberg nothing to do. The FX is on par with other YA films, but the disinterest in exploring this dystopia renders The Darkest Minds hollow. Dec 1, 2021 Full Review Matt Cipolla Film Monthly [I]t isn't much of anything new, but must it be this boring? The Darkest Minds is stultifying -- a truly joyless experience of YA clichés and generic, licensed pop songs. Rated: 1.5/5 Jul 25, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jens S How can someone make such an interesting theme into such a boring movie? For the first time ever, I had to force myself to keep watching and not skip 80% of the movie. Really disappointing. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 08/29/25 Full Review Rachel C I honestly thought the movie was good. The story line is a little over done but it still grabbed my attention. I do wish the movie had a better ending, other than that in my opinion the movie is worth the watch. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/25/25 Full Review Nicole W Hidden gem! Late on this one, I loved it. Surprised it didn't get good reviews. Great story, unique for me. Some well known actors playing some roles. Good romance. I see there is not a second one, so I'll definitely be getting the books to see how it ends. Wish directors/producers would finish series. Finding so many great movies that weren't "great" in their time or didn't hit the right audience so the sequels were never made. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/25/25 Full Review Winsy Winsky W I finally watched The Darkest Minds — and honestly, it wasn’t bad at all. The premise is strong and the young cast delivered some heartfelt moments. Amandla Stenberg carried the emotional weight well, and I was especially happy to see Mandy Moore in a more serious role — she brought a calm intensity that really worked. It’s not perfect — some parts felt rushed and a bit too “YA formula” — but I still found myself invested. The world-building had real potential, and just when things were getting good… it ended. I definitely wanted more. It’s a pity the franchise didn’t continue — it feels like the story was just beginning. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/21/25 Full Review Myanah D nothing could make me hate this movie, it’s very cute, the romance was compelling, and liam and ruby’s ending made me cry genuine tears. (although I am a naturally emotional person.) like most book adaption films, it’s not as good as it’s written form. but that’s okay. it’s a nice YA movie. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/02/25 Full Review Julian Rex M Tastelessly written and comically derivative, even The Darkest Minds' few thought-provoking (and highly contrived) elements fail to support a flatly unconvincing, woodenly acted tribute to the flaws of the long-stale YA dystopia genre. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 07/10/25 Full Review Read all reviews
The Darkest Minds

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Movie Info

Synopsis When teens mysteriously develop powerful new abilities, they are declared a threat by the government and detained. One of the most powerful young people, Ruby, escapes from her camp and joins a group of runaways who are seeking a safe haven. Betrayed by the adults in power, this newfound family soon realizes that running is not enough -- they must use their collective powers to wage a resistance and take back their future.
Director
Jennifer Yuh Nelson
Producer
Shawn Levy, Dan Levine
Screenwriter
Chad Hodge
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
21 Laps Entertainment
Rating
PG-13 (Thematic Elements|Disturbing Images|Violence)
Genre
Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller, Action
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 3, 2018, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 2, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA)
$12.7M
Runtime
1h 44m
Sound Mix
Dolby Atmos, DTS
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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