War of the Worlds

Play trailer

2:18

War of the Worlds

PG-13

Released Jun 29, 2005

1h 56m

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Action

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

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

Wendy Ide

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

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

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

Full Review

Read all reviews

Mark J

Pretty much have no worry if any of the characters die as they’re all unlikeable. The risk doesn’t ever feel close enough to the characters. The ending comes to quickly, just not the best adaptation of the original story.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/15/25

Full Review

Daniel C. M

Great effects and action but unlikeable characters and the story really does not have a ultimate goal or point. The ending is still great though.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/14/25

Full Review

alan g

Morgan Freeloader ruined it.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/14/25

Full Review

Enzo G

Filme com ótimos efeitos especias e sonoros, mas peca muito na construção dos seus personagens. E a relação do protagonista com os seus filhos é até curiosa, entretanto, algumas decisões são desconvortáveis.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/12/25

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Steven Spielberg

Director

Tom Cruise

Ray Ferrier

Dakota Fanning

Rachel Ferrier

Miranda Otto

Mary Ann

Justin Chatwin

Robbie

Tim Robbins

Harlan Ogilvy

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

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

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

28%

65%

The Chronicles of Riddick

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

New on Prime Video and Freevee in September 2022

New on Netflix in May 2022

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

View more videos

View more photos

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