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War of the Worlds

Play trailer 2:18 Poster for War of the Worlds PG-13 Released Jun 29, 2005 1h 56m Sci-Fi Adventure Action Play Trailer Watchlist
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76% Tomatometer 265 Reviews 42% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Dockworker Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) struggles to build a positive relationship with his two children, Rachel (Dakota Fanning) and Robbie (Justin Chatwin). When his ex-wife, Mary Ann (Miranda Otto), drops them off at Ferrier's house, it seems as though it will be just another tension-filled weekend. However, when electromagnetic pulses of lightning strike the area, the strange event turns out to be the beginning of an alien invasion, and Ferrier must now protect his children as they seek refuge.
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War of the Worlds

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Critics Consensus

Steven Spielberg's adaptation of War of the Worlds delivers on the thrill and paranoia of H.G. Wells' classic novel while impressively updating the action and effects for modern audiences.

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Critics Reviews

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Wendy Ide The Times (UK) This superior popcorn flick revels in the unabashed joy of blowing stuff into oblivion. Jul 5, 2022 Full Review Nell Minow Beliefnet The story is affecting, the action scenes are thrilling, the issues are resonant. Rated: B+ Aug 15, 2013 Full Review Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Spielberg's calculations turn out to be more prominent than any effects they could possibly produce, and the less pretentious 1953 version by producer George Pal emerges as more likable. Jun 8, 2007 Full Review Nicolás Medina Peliplat If the 1953 film was set in a post-war context and fight against the Soviets, this one is set in the post 9/11 era that shattered the security and stability of the United States. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 10/10 May 10, 2025 Full Review Alan Jones Radio Times The first (and much the superior) hour is a masterclass in escalating tension, with grandiose and brilliantly executed sequences following in rapid succession. Rated: 4/5 Apr 12, 2024 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Highly influential, ever innovative, and full of emotion and slick formal trickery, the film lives up to the precise definition of what "Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds" should be. Rated: 3.5/4 Aug 5, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member 20 years have passed since this remake of the 1950s original made its debut. Based on the book by H.G .Wells and directed by Steve Speilberg himself the story revolves around mankind being invaded by hostile alien forces. Only they’ve come up from underground on earth not from beyond the stars. It turns out they’ve been planning this attack for a million years and we as humans were unprepared. At the center of this is a family of 3; Ray, his son, Robbie and daughter, Rachel. They get caught in the middle of this invasion and have to escape with their lives despite having a rocky relationship with one another. A true summer blockbuster with updated action and special effects to boot. A very solid turn by Tom Cruise as well as Dakota Fanning. The alien tripods are very intimidating. The movie pretty much captured our fears post 9/11 mainly after the Iraq War started. It makes us hope that we never have to see the machines of war on our streets. The original 1938 radio broadcast was so controversial people almost actually believed it was real. With this version it recreates the terror and confusion we felt at the time the twin towers went down. The book's legacy always had a sense of stroking paranoia. It’s interesting too with the pandemic going on our planets sicknesses would wipe out these aliens in record time. I remember my dad said the movie pretty much ruined the book. So yes it isn’t a perfect adaption given the many changes they have to make. There’s no sense of wonder or curiosity but just a reaction to mass panic. The ending is also very abrupt, too. But the core message still revolves around family, unity, and militarism. It’s sneakily subversive acting more as a widespread annihilation of one species: us. Speilberg’s vision of devastation after all was inspired by real life tragedies. He knows how to grand scale panic and chaos. This makes for an unnerving atmosphere. Plus the character of Ray goes through his own metamorphosis having his bravado become honest expressions of love and care. As far as the coronavirus from 5 years ago we've survived things like this before and we'll continue to do so. An imperfect summer movie that does its job well enough to deliver the thrills as well as the mass panic we would have to a real invasion. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 06/30/25 Full Review David M Great effects, cinematography, and some amazing scenes & visuals (e.g., the first machine, the river, the ferry, the battle). Nearly ruined by utterly annoying and unlikable key characters - i.e., the two kids. When I do rewatch the movie, I just skip past the scenes in which they have lines. A shame in what could have been a phenomenal remake of a classic. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 06/21/25 Full Review Todd H I'm just trying to figure out why this has only a 42%(?!?) audience rating. For what my opinion is worth, I found this to be another Spielberg masterpiece. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/18/25 Full Review Audience Member Ive been watching this movie for years ever since I was 6 I come back and watch it every now and then to see if I can gain a better understanding of the movie and pick up and details I've missed I agree the movie has some noticeable downfalls but in reality the movies cgi has held up to even current Era cgi this flim has also amassed a cult following even tho it's a 20 year old movie you have to be a somewhat enjoyable movie if you still have fans 20 years later Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/14/25 Full Review Adam S I definitely liked the movie more than the characters - unlikeable characters in a well-directed and tension filled film. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 05/30/25 Full Review Steven D Another entertaining film by Tom Cruise. Definitely worth the watch Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/28/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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War of the Worlds

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - No Shield War of the Worlds: Official Clip - No Shield 2:13 War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Ferry Disaster War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Ferry Disaster 2:07 War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Probing the Basement War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Probing the Basement 2:13 War of the Worlds: Official Clip - The War Begins War of the Worlds: Official Clip - The War Begins 2:11 War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Fight on the Hill War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Fight on the Hill 2:07 War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Taking Down a Tripod War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Taking Down a Tripod 2:00 War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Not on the Same Page War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Not on the Same Page 2:12 War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Abduction War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Abduction 2:13 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis Dockworker Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) struggles to build a positive relationship with his two children, Rachel (Dakota Fanning) and Robbie (Justin Chatwin). When his ex-wife, Mary Ann (Miranda Otto), drops them off at Ferrier's house, it seems as though it will be just another tension-filled weekend. However, when electromagnetic pulses of lightning strike the area, the strange event turns out to be the beginning of an alien invasion, and Ferrier must now protect his children as they seek refuge.
Director
Steven Spielberg
Producer
Kathleen Kennedy, Colin Wilson
Screenwriter
H.G. Wells, Josh Friedman, David Koepp
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount Pictures
Rating
PG-13 (Frightening Sequences|Disturbing Images|Sci-Fi Violence)
Genre
Sci-Fi, Adventure, Action
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 29, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 14, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$234.3M
Runtime
1h 56m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.37:1)
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