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

265 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

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

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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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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

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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

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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Hughe J

War of the Worlds (2005) is based on the classic 1895 novel by HG Wells. The story centers on a Martian invasion of Earth and how humanity responds and fights back against the invaders. This Steven Spielberg adaption of the material starring Tom Cruise centers around a divorced man and his two ungrateful children with the Martian Invasion happening in the background. Tom Cruise was pretty good but the rest of the cast was meh; Dakota Fanning just screamed through the entire movie. The SFX were excellent, the score was solid, but overall this movie paled in comparison to the 1953 George Pal version which actually encompassed humanity fighting for it's survival and not two angsty entitled kids with daddy issues. Overall, worth a watch for the special effects if nothing else.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/14/25

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Mike C.

Fanning was annoying, the son was just a jerk given his age and what was happening. Cruise was flat.. special effects were amazing and the reason to watch

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/12/25

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Benjamin R

I thought this movie was alright. Not that scary and the girl was kind of annoying. It is not my favorite Tom Cruise movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/10/25

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Isaac R.

Loved this movie forever always came back to watch it

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/10/25

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Mitch B

Decent update but holds no candle to the 1953 masterpiece.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/10/25

Full Review

John F

Should have been better, and ultimately a reboot that never should have happened. Some great effects but lacking in any real scares or the political messages associated with the original. As for the cast, Fanning and Cruise aren't able to stretch their wings with the uninspiring material.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/07/25

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

2:18

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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