War of the Worlds

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2:18

War of the Worlds

PG-13

2005

1h 56m

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Action

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

264 Reviews

42%

Popcornmeter

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)

Jul 5, 2022

This superior popcorn flick revels in the unabashed joy of blowing stuff into oblivion.

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Nell Minow

Beliefnet

Aug 15, 2013

B+

The story is affecting, the action scenes are thrilling, the issues are resonant.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Jun 8, 2007

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.

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Nicolás Medina

Peliplat

May 10, 2025

10/10

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]

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Alan Jones

Radio Times

Apr 12, 2024

4/5

The first (and much the superior) hour is a masterclass in escalating tension, with grandiose and brilliantly executed sequences following in rapid succession.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Aug 5, 2022

3.5/4

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.

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Aytekin C

@RT01299821 5 days ago

When I first saw it I thought is was a cool movie… rewatched it now (October 2026) and it’s beyond ridiculous. Once again proof the critics can’t be trusted. I mean like really? How is this movie Fresh? 🙄

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Diana B

@dianajohn11 6 days ago

I loved it! It frightened me sitting in a dark theater, and the sense of impending doom shook me!

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Sara M

@sarah888 Oct 2, 2026

I really liked it but the ending was terrible

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mitch B

@Barrdown Sep 28, 2026

Dumbest ending of all time

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Henry D

@Henry_Domke Sep 27, 2026

The story was hard to believe and relentlessly grim, and Lorna found the overall experience unpleasant. But as a large-scale Spielberg production it is very watchable: the alien attacks, crowd panic, sound design, and visual effects were great. The newly remastered 4K print looked great and the soundtrack made the spectacle far more impressive than the story itself.

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Mark L

@Peabsrt Sep 24, 2026

Spielberg cranking out another entertaining movie. It's a good remake and I like Tom Cruise starring in it. I highly recommend watching this movie.

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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

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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, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
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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