War of the Worlds

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War of the Worlds

PG-13

2005

1h 56m

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Action

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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)

07/05/2022

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

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Nell Minow

Beliefnet

08/15/2013

B+

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

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

06/08/2007

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

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

04/12/2024

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

08/05/2022

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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Oli W

@homerisbart201126 3d

peak scary and a whole lot of fun

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Cork B

6d

Tom Cruise almost never makes a bad movie. I would say his casting here isn't bad, but he is playing against type here as a confused struggling family man trying to keep his family safe. Buildup to the invasion and reveal is great - true Spielberg fashion - and the CGI is really good for the era too. My major issues with this are: firstly, everyone is all running in the same direction. Why? Why is everyone going to Boston? Wasn't Boston hit too? Wouldn't you flee AWAY from the cities? Why was the ferry still running? Events are basically choreographed in front of the family for maximum visual effect. And secondly, the ending was stupid. (SPOILERS) that the wife's family was still alive by just sitting tight was dumb enough, but somehow the kid was there too ahead of them? My only solace was that dumb son was dead, and well, lame...

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Benjamin W.

@Code70 6d

Not one of Steven Spielberg’s all-time great blockbusters, but still quite a good one.

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Eamon A

@EamonTheChicken Jan 18

+1 stars for the needle scene, +1 stars for tom cruise, +1 stars for the great early CGI, and, +1 stars for the creepy tripod sounds

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Illyana R

@Haloguy Jan 11

Really underrated film. One of my childhood favorites. If you haven't watched it watch it. Not the ice cube one

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Romas M

@Romas Dec 29

Greetings from Lithuania. "War of the Worlds" (2005) is my favorite adaptation of the famous novel War of the Worlds. By its design, mood and ending, this Steven Spielberg's blockbuster starring Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning is a pretty faithful adaptation. I liked this film when saw it in a movie theater back in 2005, enjoyed revisiting it during years. It is very skilfully made film, with great filmmakers behind the camera and in front. I liked how approach of this story was from a perspective of a father who has to protect his children during the invasion. It is very tense film with some huge set pieces, and Steven Spielberg's good work. It is not his best film by far, but for me it is a good one. Overall, Steven Spielberg's "War of the Worlds" is a good film about invasion, and what would happen then. I liked its epic scale of production even if it follows only few character. A good film.

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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

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - No Shield

2:13

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Ferry Disaster

2:07

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Probing the Basement

2:13

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - The War Begins

2:11

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Fight on the Hill

2:07

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Taking Down a Tripod

2:00

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Not on the Same Page

2:12

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Abduction

2:13

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War of the Worlds: Trailer 2

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War of the Worlds: Trailer 1

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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
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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