Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

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Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

PG-13

Released Jul 21, 2017

2h 17m

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

47%

Tomatometer

297 Reviews

53%

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25,000+ Ratings

In the 28th century, special operatives Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline work together to maintain order throughout the human territories. Under assignment from the minister of defense, the duo embarks on a mission to Alpha, an ever-expanding metropolis where diverse species gather to share knowledge and culture. When a dark force threatens the peaceful city, Valerian and Laureline must race against time to identify the menace that also jeopardizes the future of the universe.

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Critics Consensus

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets uses sheer kinetic energy and visual thrills to overcome narrative obstacles and offer a viewing experience whose surreal pleasures sometimes outweigh its flaws.

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

Thing is, every time I had to focus on the two main characters, the noticeable holes in all of this started to grow bigger and become more bothersome.

Rated: 2.5/4

Sep 22, 2017

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Paul Byrnes

Sydney Morning Herald

It's an enjoyable mess. Like all modern fantasy based on computer-generated technique, it confuses movement and action.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 16, 2017

Full Review

Stephen Romei

The Australian

Besson loves messing around with time and space.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 11, 2017

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

...a nearly 140 minutes slog through poor storytelling, boring characters, laughably bad dialogue, and CGI overload.

Rated: 1.5/5

Aug 21, 2022

Full Review

Fletcher Powell

KMUW - Wichita Public Radio

If you’d asked me ... if it would matter that I’d spend a good three-quarters of a movie having no idea what was going on, I would have said: Yes. Yes, that would matter. But that was before I’d seen Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.

Jun 21, 2022

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

The outcome here is uneven: admirable for its ambition and mindless entertainment value, unable to hold up under close scrutiny, and often dazzlingly beautiful.

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 23, 2022

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Gregory

Beautiful special effects.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/07/21

Full Review

Kaleb B.

Small Summary—- This movie was super good. One of the most unique movies I’ve ever seen. Very similar to like, certain aspects of guardians of the galaxy, ready player one, and stuff like that etc. There’s 2 secret agents that are sent on a mission to retrieve an animal. The last of its species. This species ends up being the only one capable of giving power that another species needs to survive. They go through many different difficulties, almost drowned, attacked, lots of action, they go through battles in space, there’s soooo many different species and futuristic technology. Hard to say much about the plot without spoiling it, but amazing movie. Great watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/29/25

Full Review

Helene S

bonkers but so unique and creative.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/26/25

Full Review

Omar F

What was everyone thinking back then? This movie is absolutely mind blowing. The cinematography is stunning and full of life. The aliens and character design are wild and beautiful. The storyline is insane yet deep, with real character growth and great chemistry between the actors. The soundtrack goes hard too. Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne shine as Valerian and Laureline. Clive Owen, Rihanna and Ethan Hawke add so much personality and style. It is such a tragedy that hardly anyone ever talks about this movie. Everyone should give Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets a second chance. One day people will look back and realize it was a true sci fi gem.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/25/25

Full Review

Dalek N

Visually, it's stunning. Thematically, it wanders a bit. If you don't really pay attention, its a nice movie for the background. If you pay attention, the hero Valerian repeatedly and without any remorse gets people killed all around him, and plays it all off with a wry smile as he tries to kiss Lauraline. The very opening action scene... he gets his whole group killed, then it cuts to him on a fake beach somewhere trying to get the girl, no grief or lesson learned, no hubris. He is truly a despicable character, but no one ever calls him on it.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/21/25

Full Review

Michael D

The 2 main characters are just not fit to do this role , Dane Dehaan (ravian) looks like a teen on an addiction doing his best to be tuff , a player and funny , it is an annoying. Give this role to someone like Ryan Reynolds and this movie would work . The second main character lauraline (cara delivigne) i suppose she does her best to upgrade the poor actor choice of ravian and i believe with another actor she would perform better . Overall a messy movie wondering what is happening but again it all started with poor acting from Dane Dehaan

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/04/25

Full Review

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Luc Besson

Director

Dane DeHaan

Major Valerian

Cara Delevingne

Sergeant Laureline

Clive Owen

Commander Arun Filitt

Rihanna

Bubble

Ethan Hawke

Jolly the Pimp

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Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets: Behind the Scenes - Big Market

1:02

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets: Behind the Scenes - Creating the Shell City

1:17

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets: Behind the Scenes - Rihanna as Bubble

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Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets: Behind the Scenes - Designing Alpha

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Luc Besson on Casting Rihanna: Exclusive Interview

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That Moment When You Realize You're in a Luc Besson Movie: Exclusive Interview

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Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets: TV Spot - Attack

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Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets: TV Spot - Imagine

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Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets: Trailer 1

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Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets: Teaser Trailer 2

2:30

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Synopsis

In the 28th century, special operatives Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline work together to maintain order throughout the human territories. Under assignment from the minister of defense, the duo embarks on a mission to Alpha, an ever-expanding metropolis where diverse species gather to share knowledge and culture. When a dark force threatens the peaceful city, Valerian and Laureline must race against time to identify the menace that also jeopardizes the future of the universe.

Director: Luc Besson
Producer: Luc Besson, Virginie Silla
Screenwriter: Luc Besson
Distributor: STX Entertainment
Production Co: EuropaCorp, Fundamental Films, STX Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Sci-Fi Violence and Action|Brief Language|Suggestive Material)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Adventure, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 21, 2017, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 7, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $40.4M
Runtime: 2h 17m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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