The Arrival

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The Arrival

PG-13

1996

1h 55m

Sci-Fi

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

65%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

44%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

After astronomer Zane Zaminsky discovers a radio transmission that originated from space, he tells his boss, Phil, who ignores him. Zane is promptly fired, and decides to investigate the signal himself. When he discovers a return radio transmission from Mexico, he goes to explore. There he meets climate scientist Ilana Green, who is studying anomalies in gases in the area. Zane soon makes a finding that puts him in great danger.

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Critics Consensus

Stylish and inventive, The Arrival offers a surprisingly smart spin on the alien invasion genre.

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Feb 9, 2006

What it lacks in sophistication (everything), it partly makes up for in sheer gall.

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Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle

Jun 18, 2002

3/4

It's a strong, lean piece of writing that moves quickly. Nothing is wasted, and nothing happens the way you'd expect.

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Stephen Holden

New York Times

Jan 1, 2000

A movie that shoehorns a blunt warning into its silly but entertaining story of a young radio astronomer's one-man battle against sinister extraterrestrials.

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Mal Vincent

The Virginian-Pilot

Feb 25, 2022

2.5/4

E.T. would find it false propaganda, but for fans of the genre, it's standard sci-fi with all the needed ingredients.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Sep 9, 2020

6/10

The film starts to fall apart at the introduction of the aliens themselves, which suffer from dated special effects and an immediate aura of disbelief.

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Feb 13, 2017

B

The CGI alien special effects are only so-so, but the film is rich in ideas, well-executed and is pleasingly entertaining even if silly.

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Atilla T

@Treviewd1nce Sep 19, 2026

Hollywood should stay out of lives and be in the business of entertaining. Environmentalism loses integrity through Hollywood. Environmentalism is a practice of real science and too complicated for Hollywood.

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Jeux T

@RT23605591 Aug 30, 2026

Not bad but not good to ! Still love the 90s scifi movies though!

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James M

@LizardKing75 Jun 28, 2026

A surprisingly good flick, not the best Sci-fi, but very far from the worst.

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c W

@RT09825594 Jun 27, 2026

It's a fun watch with a few creative elements.

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Adam K

@SunsetLonerCinema May 11, 2026

On paper, its a Hitchcockian concept done as a B movie while leaning into paranoid thrillers like The Parallax View and the popularity of The X-Files. Budgetary limits and the lack of believability with Charlie Sheen in the main role make it a bit lackluster, but its got an intriguing enough concept to make a watchable and somewhat memorable forgotten genre piece from the summer of 1996.

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Erin M

@Mightymotes May 9, 2026

Underrated sci-fi thriller, where Charlie Sheen is once again excellent as the lead actor! Interesting and engaging storyline,and the off the rails hero of the film comes out on top against all odds, which was a pleasant surprise!!

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David Twohy

Director

Charlie Sheen

Zane Zaminsky

Ron Silver

Phil Gordian

Lindsay Crouse

Ilana Green

Teri Polo

Char

Richard Schiff

Calvin

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Synopsis

After astronomer Zane Zaminsky discovers a radio transmission that originated from space, he tells his boss, Phil, who ignores him. Zane is promptly fired, and decides to investigate the signal himself. When he discovers a return radio transmission from Mexico, he goes to explore. There he meets climate scientist Ilana Green, who is studying anomalies in gases in the area. Zane soon makes a finding that puts him in great danger.

Director: David Twohy
Producer: Thomas G. Smith, David Twohy, Jim Steele, Melissa Cira Taylor
Screenwriter: David Twohy
Production Co: Live Entertainment, Mediaworks, Steelwork Films
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 2, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $14.1M
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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