The Darkest Minds

Play trailer

1:31

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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

Phil K

Yet another X-Men type rip-off. If the Red and Orange kids are so powerful and dangerous, you would think they could easily stop their oppressors/executioners by manipulating their minds and actions. Oh well, I guess you're supposed to suspend all logic when viewing this sort of drek.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

06/20/25

Full Review

Vivianna _

A very over-looked movie in my opinion. It's unique and overall a wonderful movie. Has this ability to take you out of this world and reel you into the movie completely. A must watch in my book!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/22/25

Full Review

Pedro B

This is a great and original movie. I have never see this type of history before. I individually

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/28/25

Full Review

Gina E

Sweet movie, remind me of many other movie so nothing new but i still want to se a second movie of this

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/14/25

Full Review

Ninz p

I love the concept of it but bro the ending left me staring at my ceiling wondering if staying up late on a school week is worth it just to watch this😞they could’ve done better tbh. But ye overall it's a 50/50 rate for me <3

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/25

Full Review

Thirza v

I think this is such a good movie. I can really connect to the story. The story is so well told. I hope there will be a second movie or a sequel. That would be so awesome!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/24/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Jennifer Yuh Nelson

Director

Amandla Stenberg

Ruby Daly

Mandy Moore

Cate

Bradley Whitford

President Gray

Harris Dickinson

Liam

Patrick Gibson

Clancy Gray

Kin

36%

53%

Kin

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Kin

Self/less

18%

46%

Self/less

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Self/less

Lockout

38%

46%

Lockout

Watchlist

Left Behind

0%

19%

Left Behind

Watchlist

I Am Number Four

32%

57%

I Am Number Four

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Weekend Box Office Results: The Meg Shows Its Teeth

Weekend Box Office Results: Mission: Impossible – Fallout Hangs on to Top Spot

Christopher Robin Is Pleasantly Familiar

The Darkest Minds: 'What Happens Next?' - Trailer

1:31

The Darkest Minds: Trailer 1

2:07

View more videos

View more photos

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)

Most Popular at Home Now