'

Watchmen

Play trailer

2:19

Watchmen

R

Released Mar 6, 2009

2h 42m

Action

Adventure

Fantasy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

65%

Tomatometer

305 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

In an alternate 1985 America, costumed superheroes are part of everyday life. When one of his former comrades is murdered, masked vigilante Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley) uncovers a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes. As he reconnects with his retired associates, only one of which has true powers, Rorschach glimpses a far-reaching conspiracy involving their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the world's future.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Gritty and visually striking, Watchmen is a faithful adaptation of Alan Moore's graphic novel, but its complex narrative structure may make it difficult for it to appeal to viewers not already familiar with the source material.

Read Critics Reviews

Matthew Rozsa

Salon.com

When given a great story and told that his job is to simply adapt it, Snyder more than rises to the occasion.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jul 23, 2019

Full Review

Matt Singer

The Rumpus

The only way to truly adhere to Alan Moore's vision of Watchmen would be to not make the movie in the first place.

Sep 18, 2017

Full Review

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Watchmen isn't your typical caper flick filled with kickass effects and gunfire and no premise.

Rated: B+

Sep 12, 2017

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

The story of costumed superheroes into the real world offers a visual spectacle to be sure, but it emphasizes the “novel” in graphic novel: narrative complexity, character dynamism, the density of fiction and history and commentary swirling together.

Oct 28, 2023

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Ambitious films like this are generally either glorious artistic successes or utter failures; Watchmen uniquely falls somewhere in the middle.

Rated: 2.5/4

Sep 5, 2023

Full Review

Manuel São Bento

MSB Reviews

Technically sublime, with a distinct style, brilliant production design, and gorgeous cinematography. As it stands, as one and only film, it’s really impressive even with its flaws.

Rated: B

Jul 24, 2023

Full Review

Read all reviews

Audience Member

Movie was too long, I think it's a disaster...

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

05/17/25

Full Review

Faiz D

Magnificent and visually stunning to watch, this graphic novel adaptation is complex, compelling, dark, and absorbing.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

Full Review

Paul S

This is one of the best superhero movies I've ever seen. It was so dark and edgy, and it was unlike any other project I've ever watched. The story was intense and gripping, and the movie had some incredible visuals. I definitely recommend it for superhero and action fans!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/15/25

Full Review

Muhammad A

My Fav R rated Comic book movie ever, probably my Top 5

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/02/25

Full Review

Jake B

Well ahead of it's time... One of the best 'superhero' movies on the 21st Century.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/10/25

Full Review

Ben W

No option to delete my review. Put the stars in the middle. sorry. Today was a Sunday 16.2.25ce Watched an hour and a bit, then read synopsis on Wikipedia.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/16/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Zack Snyder

Director

Billy Crudup

Jon Osterman

Malin Akerman

Laurie Jupiter

Jackie Earle Haley

Walter Kovacs

Matthew Goode

Adrian Veidt

Patrick Wilson

Dan Dreiberg

View more videos

Conan the Barbarian

25%

30%

Conan the Barbarian

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Conan the Barbarian

Immortals

50%

49%

Immortals

Watchlist

Logan

93%

91%

Logan

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Logan

Hellboy

17%

47%

Hellboy

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Hellboy

Zack Snyder's Justice League

71%

92%

Zack Snyder's Justice League

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Zack Snyder's Justice League

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

The Best Superhero Movie of Each Year Since 1998

HBO’s Watchmen Episode 1 Explained: Squid Storms, Masked Police, and Rorschach’s Hijacked Legacy

How Watchmen Landed Oscar Winners Regina King and Jeremy Irons

Watchmen: Trailer 1

2:19

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

In an alternate 1985 America, costumed superheroes are part of everyday life. When one of his former comrades is murdered, masked vigilante Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley) uncovers a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes. As he reconnects with his retired associates, only one of which has true powers, Rorschach glimpses a far-reaching conspiracy involving their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the world's future.

Director: Zack Snyder
Producer: Lawrence Gordon, Lloyd Levin, Deborah Snyder
Screenwriter: David Hayter, Alex Tse
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Lawrence Gordon Productions, Lloyd Levin
Rating: R (Nudity|Language|Sexuality|Strong Graphic Violence)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 6, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 31, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $107.5M
Runtime: 2h 42m

Most Popular at Home Now