War of the Worlds

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War of the Worlds

PG-13

2005

1h 56m

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

264 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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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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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

07/05/2022

This superior popcorn flick revels in the unabashed joy of blowing stuff into oblivion.

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Nell Minow

Beliefnet

08/15/2013

B+

The story is affecting, the action scenes are thrilling, the issues are resonant.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

06/08/2007

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.

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Nicolás Medina

Peliplat

May 10

10/10

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]

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Alan Jones

Radio Times

04/12/2024

4/5

The first (and much the superior) hour is a masterclass in escalating tension, with grandiose and brilliantly executed sequences following in rapid succession.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

08/05/2022

3.5/4

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.

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Brandon K

2d

The only good take of this movie, a classic tom cruise flick with a really well designed world.

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Dimitris T

6d

Rich in horrifying alien action, it kind of insists on an uncanny intimacy by having its protagonists being just typical everymen instead of heroes in a conventional sense. This kind of leads to the plot feeling like it solves itself, but the protagonists' survival until that point is a really terrifying experience.

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mx o

@Singular Dec 7

My childhood obssesion. It sparks fear into the audience and it is very thrilling 10/10 recomend watching!

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Zachary W.

@The_Zonk Dec 5

I seriously just can’t understand the hate for this film. It was emotional and I was always at the edge of my seat. The tripods were absolutely STUNNING! This is my favorite alien movie to date! (apart from alien)

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Andrew B

Nov 30

Great start to the film l, but concentrated too much on the relationship aspect and lost its rhythm as it went on.

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Thiago B

Nov 30

War of the Worlds offers thrilling action and impressive visual effects, capturing the intensity of an alien invasion. The suspense keeps viewers engaged, and some sequences are genuinely gripping. However, the story can feel uneven at times, with characters lacking depth and emotional moments that fall flat. While the spectacle is strong, the human element does not fully resonate, making the overall experience less impactful than it could be. Despite its flaws, the film provides moments of excitement and a sense of scale that is hard to ignore.

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Steven Spielberg

Director

Tom Cruise

Ray Ferrier

Dakota Fanning

Rachel Ferrier

Miranda Otto

Mary Ann

Justin Chatwin

Robbie

Tim Robbins

Harlan Ogilvy

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - No Shield

2:13

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Ferry Disaster

2:07

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Probing the Basement

2:13

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - The War Begins

2:11

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Fight on the Hill

2:07

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Taking Down a Tripod

2:00

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Not on the Same Page

2:12

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Abduction

2:13

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War of the Worlds Might Be Steven Spielberg’s Most Terrifying Film

War of the Worlds: Trailer 2

2:18

War of the Worlds: Trailer 1

1:50

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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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