The Impossible

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The Impossible

PG-13

Released Dec 21, 2012

1h 54m

Drama

Adventure

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Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

197 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

A couple and their three sons encounter terror, courage and compassion following the December 2004 tsunami that devastated Thailand.

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Critics Consensus

The screenplay isn't quite as powerful as the direction or the acting, but with such an astonishing real-life story at its center, The Impossible is never less than compelling.

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Shubhra Gupta

The Indian Express

[The Impossible] shows us devastation, yes, unbelievable havoc, yes, horrific human loss, yes. But also, exemplary courage and love and compassion, all done with freshness and feeling.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 21, 2019

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Larushka Ivan-Zadeh

metro.co.uk

A heart-wrenchingly tense survival drama based on 'an incredible true story' of a far more 'homely' looking Spanish family, this is a cut above 1990s eco-disaster movies such as Dante's Peak.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 1, 2017

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David Denby

The New Yorker

Alas, the movie tells a rather commonplace story.

Jan 28, 2013

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Emiliano Basile

EscribiendoCine

... A moving, shocking, and visceral film. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 10/10

Jan 2, 2024

Full Review

Anushka Halve

Film Companion

This isn't a narrative of a larger-than-life hero swooping in to save the day; rather, it's a testament to the combined efforts of ordinary individuals, bound by humanity, who become heroes in the crucible of disaster.

Dec 11, 2023

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

What one single movie can do is give at least one true story profound respect and realism. Most importantly, what the beauty of any movie can do is remind us all of the hope and survival that rises from the depths of tragedy and loss.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 4, 2023

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Ricardo M

The Impossible is about a movie in Thailand when a tsunami hits unnoticed. One family find themselves in a fight for their lives and reconnection. Becoming separated leads them to search and rescue for one another. Through strength, courage, know-how, and a will to keep going they discover faith, hope, and love. Based on a true story of a tsunami that hit Thailand in 2004.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/22/25

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mathilde g

15 min in you will feel the tears coming

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/04/25

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Shannon F

The 3 actors who played the brothers were excellent. The little boy who played Daniel was great as well.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/28/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Tom Holland’s performance in this movie, as a child actor, is nothing short of astonishing. This film is a heart-pounding reenactment of a tidal wave’s affect on a vacationing family. Never slow, and it invests you start to finish.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/26/25

Full Review

Dave C

I'd forgotten how this movie made me feel, and how I reacted. It is underrated, and somehow also doesn't give enough of the 'truth' before and after the movie - I like more facts about a true story. This follows one family through their ordeal, and manages to convey the emotions brilliantly. I did struggle with EMcG's casting, but it's hard to say whether or not he was miscast, not knowing the father of the family he is playing. Somehow he just didn't 'fit'. Anyway, NW more than delivers enough, along with TH as an outstanding young actor

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/26/25

Full Review

Ashley H

I really enjoyed this movie it's so good. I found it very entertaining and heartfelt. I liked how the family survived the tsunami and reunited with each other. I thought Ewan McGregor did a great job in this movie. I highly recommend this movie it's worth watching.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/03/25

Full Review

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J. A. Bayona

Director

Naomi Watts

Maria

Ewan McGregor

Henry

Tom Holland

Lucas

Samuel Joslin

Thomas

Oaklee Pendergast

Simon

The Impossible: Official Clip - Thank You

2:27

The Impossible: Official Clip - Is it Over?

2:59

The Impossible: Official Clip - What's Your Name?

2:35

The Impossible: Official Clip - You Came Back

2:40

The Impossible: Official Clip - Calling Home

2:45

The Impossible: Official Clip - The Tsunami

2:38

The Impossible: Official Clip - Maria's Ordeal

2:55

The Impossible: Official Clip - It's Going to Be Okay

2:45

The Impossible: Official Clip - A Beautiful Mystery

2:19

The Impossible: Official Clip - Reunited

2:12

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Synopsis

A couple and their three sons encounter terror, courage and compassion following the December 2004 tsunami that devastated Thailand.

Director: J. A. Bayona
Producer: Belén Atienza, Álvaro Augustin, Ghislain Barrois, Enrique López Lavigne
Screenwriter: Sergio G. Sánchez
Distributor: Summit Entertainment
Production Co: Institut Valencià de Cinematografia, Apaches Entertainment, Instituto de la Cinematografía y de las Artes Audiovisuales (ICAA), Summit Entertainment, VS Service, Canal+ España, Telecinco Cinema, Mediaset España
Rating: PG-13 (Disturbing Injury Images|Brief Nudity|Intense Realistic Disaster Seq)
Genre: Drama, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 21, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 7, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $19.0M
Runtime: 1h 54m

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