War of the Worlds

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War of the Worlds

PG-13

Released Jun 29, 2005

1h 56m

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Action

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Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

265 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

Times (UK)

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

Jul 5, 2022

Full Review

Nell Minow

Beliefnet

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

Rated: B+

Aug 15, 2013

Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

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.

Jun 8, 2007

Full Review

Nicolás Medina

Peliplat

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]

Rated: 10/10

May 10, 2025

Full Review

Alan Jones

Radio Times

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

Rated: 4/5

Apr 12, 2024

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

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.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 5, 2022

Full Review

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Phil B

Steven Spielberg and Connie Brink should get 5 stars for this movie. Josh Friedman should look for a different career path. I’ve seen more realistic dialogue in a middle school play.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/17/25

Full Review

Eumir D

People hating this movie are arguably one of the most stupid people in history cause war of the worlds Is really good, it bringed me terrors when I was a kid and to this day still do, the plot is good, everything else is good, except for that one son, and the tripods? They're fantastic and I would've liked it if there was a toy or a model somewhere, quite literally the best design of the tripod, yes it beats the original one, the original one looks like a house, so yeah, end of review

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/16/25

Full Review

Aneta K

Idk why people hate this movie This movie is amazing

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/08/25

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Peter S

My fourth or fifth viewing. This movie is a masterpiece; of script, cinematography, acting and filming. The characters, their family dynamics and individual makeup is perfect. It is the perfect blend of scifi and horror.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/05/25

Full Review

Ryan J

This movie had so many sequences that made no sense. Why were people traveling? Where were they going to? Why did they always gather around the alien ships like it was some sort of spectacle? Why did they rush towards the fight with Robbie left? Literally dozens of scared people running TOWARDS the gunfight! Dumbest movie I’ve ever watched. Scary movie 4 was the only reason I kept watching…. It was that bad!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

05/01/25

Full Review

Ryland C

I don’t know what on earth I just watched but it definitely has the Steven Spielberg energy that I always loved!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/27/25

Full Review

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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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