The Day the Earth Stood Still

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The Day the Earth Stood Still

G

1951

1h 32m

Sci-Fi

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

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111 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

When a UFO lands in Washington, D.C., bearing a message for Earth's leaders, all of humanity stands still. Klaatu has come on behalf of alien life who have been watching Cold War-era nuclear proliferation on Earth. But it is Klaatu's soft-spoken robot Gort that presents a more immediate threat to onlookers. A single mother and her son teach the world about peace and tolerance in this moral fable, ousting the tanks and soldiers that greet the alien's arrival.

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Critics Consensus

Socially minded yet entertaining, The Day the Earth Stood Still imparts its moral of peace and understanding without didacticism.

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Jack Karr

Toronto Star

Jan 16, 2026

Like other pictures of its type, The Day the Earth Stood Still puts quite a strain on credulity... but it has its fascination nonetheless.

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William Hogan

San Francisco Chronicle

Jan 16, 2026

Rennie, who portrays a missing superhuman, actually is a well-balanced human type with powers far superior to any possessed by earth men.

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Mildred Martin

Philadelphia Inquirer

Jan 16, 2026

Well directed by Robert Wise, sensibly played by Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Billy Gray, Sam Jaffe and Hugh Marlow, The Day the Earth Stood Still is more believable than most of these shiver science shockers.

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Joshua Tyler

Giant Freakin Robot

Jun 23, 2026

The movie’s only reason for existing is to convince Americans to give up their autonomy to a higher, collectivist power.

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Province Staff

The Province (Vancouver)

Apr 14, 2026

Weirdness and excitement are employed by director Robert Wise to make his audience feel as well as see the frightening pandemonium that grips the world.

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Mel Hayes

Toledo Blade

Jan 16, 2026

Although some persons, no doubt, will feel the fantasy is a bit too fantastic for their tastes, many will find it gives their blood pressure just the proper pick-up.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 7, 2026

Definately a 4.5 star Movie

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bruce F

@bruce999 Aug 15, 2026

a wonderful and exciting story. don't miss this one.

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Ollie W

@RT90619198 Aug 11, 2026

The most iconic sci-fi soundtrack of all time. Some of the dialogue is rather stilted. It’s a rather preachy film but a cool time capsule with some iconic visual design. It helps that the alien is handsome and dapper. It doesn’t make much sense that the alien complains about the violence of human beings but then threatens to blow up the earth. It is at least far better than the terrible remake.

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Dane B

@Bobsyouruncle145 Jul 21, 2026

A great, thought provoking movie.

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Ivan W

@Washpangold Mar 1, 2026

My favorite science fiction film. Great story and acting. The special effects are dated, but the film has great integrity. The message is put across well. The later remake has much better effects but has not got the character of this original. Plenty of suspense and action that moves along and shows up mankind's arrogance towards other life!

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B B

@RT12001991 Dec 1, 2025

My all time favorite movie. That sums it up...

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Synopsis

When a UFO lands in Washington, D.C., bearing a message for Earth's leaders, all of humanity stands still. Klaatu has come on behalf of alien life who have been watching Cold War-era nuclear proliferation on Earth. But it is Klaatu's soft-spoken robot Gort that presents a more immediate threat to onlookers. A single mother and her son teach the world about peace and tolerance in this moral fable, ousting the tanks and soldiers that greet the alien's arrival.

Director: Robert Wise
Producer: Julian Blaustein
Screenwriter: Harry Bates, Edmund H. North
Distributor: CBS/Fox, 20th Century Fox, Fox
Production Co: 20th Century Fox
Rating: G
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 18, 1951, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 18, 2012
Runtime: 1h 32m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Flat (1.37:1)

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