The 5th Wave

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2:25

The 5th Wave

PG-13

Released Jan 22, 2016

1h 52m

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

17%

Tomatometer

143 Reviews

38%

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25,000+ Ratings

The human race stands on the brink of extinction as a series of alien attacks decimate the planet, causing earthquakes, tsunamis and disease. Separated from her family, Ohio teenager Cassie Sullivan (Chloë Grace Moretz) will do whatever it takes to reunite with her brother Sam. Fate leads her to form an alliance with Evan Walker (Alex Roe), a mysterious young man who may be her last hope. Forced to trust each other, Cassie and Evan fight for survival during the fifth assault from the invaders.

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Critics Consensus

With unimpressive effects and plot points seemingly pieced together from previous dystopian YA sci-fi films, The 5th Wave ends up feeling like more of a limp, derivative wriggle.

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

With a terrific cast and a director who at least is making an attempt to shake up the literary dystopian status quo, there's really no reason for this one to be as outright terrible as it ultimately proves to be.

Rated: 1.5/4

Aug 16, 2016

Full Review

Roxana Hadadi

Chesapeake Family Magazine

The 5th Wave is simultaneously boring and cringingly overwrought, with a bland protagonist, a completely nonsensical story, and another teen love triangle.

Rated: 1.5/5

Aug 2, 2016

Full Review

Udita Jhunjhunwala

Scroll.in

The 5th Wave, which has echoes of Divergent and The Hunger Games, both of which have strong female protagonists, is too obviously just the introductory chapter.

Jun 21, 2016

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David Griffiths

Subculture Entertainment

The 5th Wave is a good action sci-fi that has a little more bite than some would predict. Easy-to-warm-to-characters and an interesting storyline means the audience quickly feels part of this new world

Rated: 3.5/5

Oct 29, 2024

Full Review

Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

No one is going to take tactical gear-wearing, elementary school-age kids with pretend-intimidating codenames and armed with semi-automatic weapons seriously.

Rated: 2/5

Oct 13, 2024

Full Review

Joe Lipsett

Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr Podcast

Despite featuring likeable actors like Grace-Moretz and Robinson, the film adaptation of Rick Yancey's novel has no time for anything. There's a propulsive need to barrel forward, but nothing lands (characters, plot, not even action).

Rated: 2/5

Jun 18, 2024

Full Review

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Vivianna _

Although I understand the reviews from critics or from normal movie lovers like myself I would definitely say that it's a good watch for a calm evening and one that is safe to rewatch when wanting to unwind. Good, not great, movie but definitely worth to watch at least once. (I've personally revistited this movie countless of times since its release)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/22/25

Full Review

Shane O

Like twilight but with aliens . It starts off well , but keeps getting worse

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/17/25

Full Review

Smoel D

While I understand the reviews I think it's a fun watch for a casual evening. It's more of a spy kids plot wise yes however but the setting is good and it can get brutal and violent. Acting is good, though directing feels like a teens summer flick. this is might have been a better AA action game 😂

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/18/25

Full Review

thomas a

Lebenszeitverschwendung. Die ersten fünf bis zehn Minuten lassen noch auf eine interessante Geschichte hoffen, aber vergeblich. Platte Story, öde Handlungsstränge. Nicht zu empfehlen.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/16/25

Full Review

Ralph R

The 5th Wave is a forgettable attempt at a sci-fi dystopian thriller, suffering from a recycled plot and a script that does little to elevate it. The story lacks originality, with predictable twists and rushed pacing that does not allow for proper character development. The first act barely builds any emotional connection before jumping straight into the second act, making the entire setup feel hollow. Starting the movie with a scene from later in the story does not help either, as it fails to create any real suspense or curiosity. The directing feels uninspired, as if following a formula rather than crafting something engaging. Cinematography is decent but nothing remarkable, relying on standard visuals without adding much to the experience. The acting is fine, but the script gives the cast little to work with, often forcing them into awkward or unconvincing dialogue. Moments that should feel dramatic end up feeling forced, making it difficult to stay invested in the characters. The score is forgettable, doing just enough to fill the background without enhancing the tension or emotion. Overall, The 5th Wave misses opportunities to be a compelling sci-fi thriller and ends up as a bland, uninspired adaptation that does not leave much of an impact.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/08/25

Full Review

Lucas E

Filme apocalíptico bom até mas se perde na hora que os alien fazem as ondas

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/20/25

Full Review

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J Blakeson

Director

Chloë Grace Moretz

Cassie Sullivan

Nick Robinson

Ben Parish

Ron Livingston

Oliver Sullivan

Maggie Siff

Lisa Sullivan

Alex Roe

Evan Walker

The 5th Wave: Official Clip - Shot in the Leg

2:29

The 5th Wave: Official Clip - Afraid You'd Shoot Me

2:25

The 5th Wave: Official Clip - We Are the 5th Wave

2:27

The 5th Wave: Official Clip - The New Guy

2:07

The 5th Wave: Official Clip - The Parasites True Form

2:17

The 5th Wave: Official Clip - I Choose You

2:41

The 5th Wave: Official Clip - Losing Family

2:13

The 5th Wave: Official Clip - Did You Shoot Me?

2:45

The 5th Wave: Official Clip - Hope Makes Us Human

2:26

The 5th Wave: Official Clip - The End of the World

4:10

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The 5th Wave: Trailer 1

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The 5th Wave: International First Look

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Synopsis

The human race stands on the brink of extinction as a series of alien attacks decimate the planet, causing earthquakes, tsunamis and disease. Separated from her family, Ohio teenager Cassie Sullivan (Chloë Grace Moretz) will do whatever it takes to reunite with her brother Sam. Fate leads her to form an alliance with Evan Walker (Alex Roe), a mysterious young man who may be her last hope. Forced to trust each other, Cassie and Evan fight for survival during the fifth assault from the invaders.

Director: J Blakeson
Producer: Tobey Maguire, Graham King, Matthew Plouffe, Lynn Harris
Screenwriter: Susannah Grant, Akiva Goldsman, Jeff Pinkner
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Material Pictures, GK Films
Rating: PG-13 (Language|Brief Teen Partying|Some Sci-Fi Thematic Elements|Violence and Destruction)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Adventure, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 22, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 16, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $34.9M
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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