War of the Worlds

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2:18

War of the Worlds

PG-13

Released Jun 29, 2005

1h 56m

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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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)

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

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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

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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

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Steven D

Another entertaining film by Tom Cruise. Definitely worth the watch

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/28/25

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Yash B

"War of the Worlds" is a decent blockbuster. However, considering Steven Spielberg is the director and Tom Cruise is the main star, the movie falls short of its potential. This movie is essentially a series of people running away, and they aren't all that likable to begin with, so it is hard to get invested in the chase. I think the movie has some technical merits, and I was impressed by that, but the story just felt lacking for me. I think it is fine for a one-time watch, but it is easily one of the weakest Spielberg movies I have seen, and I think it doesn't hold up that well twenty years later. Overall, it is an okay sci-fi movie that should have given us more reasons to care as well as more depth in terms of the premise and story, but delivers some popcorn goods for a few hours.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/27/25

Full Review

Phil B

Steven Spielberg and Connie Brink should get 5 stars for this movie. Josh Friedman should look for a different career path. I’ve seen more realistic dialogue in a middle school play.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/17/25

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

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

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

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War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Abduction

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War of the Worlds: Trailer 2

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War of the Worlds: Trailer 1

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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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