The Impossible

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The Impossible

PG-13

Released Dec 21, 2012

1h 54m

Drama

Adventure

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Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

201 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

Full Review

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

Full Review

David Denby

The New Yorker

Alas, the movie tells a rather commonplace story.

Jan 28, 2013

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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Yimelania

Is a disturbing movie film but also a very good explanation for schools and children to always love their brother sisters, mother, father

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/25

Full Review

Taehee K

this flim really makes me cry i saw this 4 times and i cried 4 times, its so heart touching at last when they all meet each other, i was so thankful that they all survived, and as its based on true story so its more impressive (baybies were sooooo cute tough

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/02/25

Full Review

Chris F

Hard felt, true story. How devastating what happened. One to experience for sure.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/30/25

Full Review

Katherine C

After 20 years, the film remains vivid and haunting. I’m grateful the family has survived, serving as a testament to preserving the memories of those who lost their lives. It’s no small feat. However, I can’t help but wonder about the stories of the poor and powerless. This film focuses on the privileged few who could afford to transfer to Singapore's top hospitals, but what about the countless others who had no such resources or support?

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/28/24

Full Review

Kassem Z

This movie is a masterpiece, amazing cast, great acting, sad, emotional, heroic, devastating, happy, every type of emotions.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/04/24

Full Review

Sherrilee B

This movie will open all your senses to being terrified, repulsed, shocked, heartbroken and so much more, the actors are brilliant especially the two main characters (mother and son) Naomi Watts & a very young Tom Holland, I would recommend this movie to anyone, do yourself a favour….

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/20/24

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: Instituto de la Cinematografía y de las Artes Audiovisuales (ICAA), Mediaset España, Institut Valencià de Cinematografia, Telecinco Cinema, VS Service, Apaches Entertainment, Summit Entertainment, Canal+ 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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