Watchmen

Play trailer

2:19

Watchmen

R

Released Mar 6, 2009

2h 42m

Action

Adventure

Fantasy

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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.

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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

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

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Mourning K

An amazing movie. One of my favorite comic book movies ever. Awesome effects l, great acting, and amazing retelling of the amazing comic book by Allan Moore.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/30/25

Full Review

rhonald b

How did a brilliant and beautiful film get such modest reviews?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/23/25

Full Review

Brian T

Best dc movie ever made

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/07/25

Full Review

Audience Member

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

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

05/17/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Rated R for Nudity, Language, Sexuality and Strong Graphic Violence!!!!!!! 2 hours and 42 minutes of action!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $107,500,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/24/25

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

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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

Watchmen: Official Clip - You're Locked In Here With Me!

2:12

Watchmen: Official Clip - The Birth of Dr. Manhattan

2:13

Watchmen: Official Clip - Nite Owl Rescue

2:12

Watchmen: Official Clip - Rorschach's Fate

2:11

Watchmen: Official Clip - The Greatest Practical Joke in Human History

2:12

Watchmen: Official Clip - Give Me Back My Face

2:12

Watchmen: Official Clip - Face to Face with Dr. Manhattan

2:13

Watchmen: Official Clip - How to Lose Your Arms

1:36

Watchmen: Official Clip - Rorschach's Journal

1:12

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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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