War of the Worlds

Play trailer

2:18

War of the Worlds

PG-13

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

Stream 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

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

Moon D

Someone said it lacked Spielberg's touch, no if anything it was his antics that ruined an otherwise good film. For example when the ferry tips and the parked cars go into the water, there is somehow a person in the car drowning. Which doesn't even make sense, but it adds drama.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/25/25

Full Review

Iya B

The premise was good but there was no likeable character. I hated the screaming kid. The teenager was just too disrespectful.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

11/19/25

Full Review

Grayson L

Absolutely love this movie highly recommend 5 stars excellent acting.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/14/25

Full Review

NewBorn B

Terrible. Not how people would behave at all. What was Spielberg thinking!?

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

11/11/25

Full Review

Leprechaun K

It has some cool visual effects. First 30 minutes of the movie is great, and then it goes down hill fast. The children characters are extremely obnoxious with one that screams non-stop and one being the angry, disrespectful teenager. The poor writing just took away from the movie as a whole. There isn't a single likeable character in the entire movie. Production design was also a let down. With the exception of the plane crash site, all the other sets looked fake (shot at some studio lot) and unbelievable. This movie could have been so much better. A great opportunity missed due to a poor script.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/03/25

Full Review

Alexander S

War of the Worlds has its thrilling moments and impressive visual effects, but it falls short in terms of storytelling and character development, lacking the unique Spielberg touch that makes a film truly special. Grading: B-

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/20/25

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

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

29%

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