War of the Worlds

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War of the Worlds

PG-13

Released Jun 29, 2005

1h 56m

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Action

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Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

264 Reviews

42%

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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

Times (UK)

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

Jul 5, 2022

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Nell Minow

Beliefnet

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

Rated: B+

Aug 15, 2013

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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

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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

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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

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James Croot

Stuff.co.nz

Cruise is in fine dramatic form and Spielberg's journey to the dark side is superbly realised.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jul 29, 2022

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Martin P

War of the world is a great movie in almost every way but the one thing I dislike is how the son wants to fight the aliens which came out of nowhere. But besides that it’s a great movie.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/10/24

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Tomato S

tom cruise played it really good but the jumpscares are not it (i watched this 5 years ago and im writing the review now so take this with a grain of salt)

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/05/24

Full Review

Rafael N

As a big fan of Sci-fi, i think the design for the Tripods is terrifying and so is it's horn, it has big elements of a thriller, gives you the chills seeing those big machines coming to attack.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/03/24

Full Review

PETER S

I like ol' Tom in an action movie, but this is awful. Think "Not Without My Daughter", with a tad more US flag-waving. No, this didn't do the original story any justice at all, unfortunately. It kind of brushed away the point, with lots of noise and silly, twee characters. A shame, really.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

11/29/24

Full Review

David C

La acutuación de Tom Cruise es buena

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/22/24

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John A

This movie is over 20 years old and the special effects are extremely impressive. I think people are giving fewer stars because they’re comparing it with modern day films that have more sophisticated technology to create special effects.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/01/24

Full Review

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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

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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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