Watchmen

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2:19

Watchmen

R

Released Mar 6, 2009

2h 42m

Action

Adventure

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

64%

Tomatometer

304 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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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Troy R

Recently watch the director's cut, have to say I personally enjoy the theater release more. Was interesting to see the more direct adaptation from the comics. Films a classic story of what it would be like if superheros were real. Along side that its an interesting story behind each of those characters and the way they changed/shaped the world they live in. The film culminates in a wonderful reveal of evil intentions mixed with the tough decisions of what to do once the story is revealed. Love the actors, Most notably Rorschach who serves as a perfect dystopian lens to view the world through. The emotion in his acting is felt better than most, Dr Manhattan and Ozymandias being close seconds for the meaningful center roles they play.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/28/25

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Edgar G.

Ripped straight from the comics🔥

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/28/25

Full Review

Forty P

My all-time favorite superhero movie! Perfectly captures the feeling of the graphic novel. Great plot with mystery, crime, politics, history, action, fantasy and relationships. And also, amazing perfomances by all actors, especially Jackie Earl Hayley as Rorschach.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/06/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Incredibly underrated movie, easily one of the best DC live action movies ever

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/06/25

Full Review

Elijah D

This is a really cool DC street level movie. The Watchmen superheroes were the coolest team ever. DC can cook when it comes to street level superhero movies.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/06/25

Full Review

Ken W

Hands down the best picture of the year. Rorschach is the Number 1 super hero of all time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/02/25

Full Review

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Zack Snyder

Director

Billy Crudup

Jon Osterman

Malin Akerman

Laurie Jupiter

Jackie Earle Haley

Walter Kovacs

Matthew Goode

Adrian Veidt

Patrick Wilson

Dan Dreiberg

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Watchmen: Trailer 1

2:19

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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

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