Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

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
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
76% Tomatometer 263 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.
Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

Where to Watch

War of the Worlds

War of the Worlds

What to Know

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More (263)
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

View More (1000+)
Ryker B It could use a bit of sound work but the reviews and ratings were not bad. And the graphics are not that bad either. But could use some work. It is a really thrilling movie though. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/29/25 Full Review Phillip C This movie is great. Deeply puzzled by the low score this movie has. ....since everyone seems to love this movie....? Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/25/25 Full Review JACOB B. 2005 war of the world was such a good movie because it's has horror it's has acting it's has a plot and it's has alien creatures that really like gives you the heebie-jeebies when you see them at the end of the movie and the 2005 war of the world with Tom Cruise playing a father who is trying to protect his kids from the invasion and you see so many people on Roblox making games based off the 2005 war of the world movie that became a fan favorite Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/24/25 Full Review Eye C The best adaptation of the book and a great movie from the GOAT Spielberg. It’s amazing. Oh and I still can’t stand Rachel. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/19/25 Full Review Renaldo D It's a good movie, but the characters lack a bit of development. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/18/25 Full Review Malcolm S. New twist on an old plot. A fun watch. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/14/25 Full Review Read all reviews
War of the Worlds

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

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
Timeline 13% 45% Timeline Watchlist Sahara 37% 53% Sahara Watchlist TRAILER for Sahara Deep Impact 45% 43% Deep Impact Watchlist TRAILER for Deep Impact Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen 19% 57% Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Watchlist TRAILER for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen The Chronicles of Riddick 29% 65% The Chronicles of Riddick Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

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)
Most Popular at Home Now