War of the Worlds | Rotten Tomatoes

War of the Worlds

PG-13

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1h 56m

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Action

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War of the Worlds: Trailer 2

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76%

Tomatometer

267 Reviews

42%

Audience Score

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

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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

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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

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James Croot

Stuff.co.nz

Cruise is in fine dramatic form and Spielberg's journey to the dark side is superbly realised.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jul 29, 2022

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Janee M

The story didn't need the teen angst or Dakota Fanning screaming the entire way through. A great Sci Fi story was ruined by a the addition of the whinny family storyline. The children's characters ruin it. When the son dues all I could think was THANK JESUSat least one annoying character is gone.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

05/11/24

Full Review

CJ M

How this is considered action is beyond me, can’t get past the first 30 minutes because no action, it’s more of a horror movie just from what I could stomach

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/21/24

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JOEL T

my favorite OAL goated movie ONG FRFR

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/16/24

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Simon T

War of the Worlds initially had a cool reception, which is very unfair. It's a cracking thriller, delivered with Spielberg's practised panache. Echoes of past Spielbergian works like Close Encounters, Jurassic Park, even Empire of the Sun, but with a darker post 9/11 tone. Cruise for the most part reins in his tendency to overact, Tim Robbins is oddly cast as a paranoid survivalist, but the best performance is Dakota Fanning's: the conscience of the threatened family. Special FX are of course excellent, even if the Martians are designed to be a bit cutie-pie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/18/24

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Mikim

Movie is great and definitely worth seeing. Everything from sound effects, CGI and action was amazing. Not to mention the actors.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/06/24

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Mike G

Too slow for this genre.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/26/24

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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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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 Might Be Steven Spielberg’s Most Terrifying Film

War of the Worlds: Trailer 2

2:18

War of the Worlds: Trailer 1

1:50

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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: Paula Wagner
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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