War of the Worlds

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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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Daniel L

@Hotchopeppa Sep 5, 2026

The original will always be the best but this is a decent adaptation. Tom Cruise rarely makes a bad movie.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 4, 2026

Dakota fanning makes the movie unwatchable with her horrid screaming

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Greg P

@RT14940840 Aug 31, 2026

Life-long sci-fi movie buff here. Ok, big time special effects, lots of explosions, great acting from the two young kids. Tom Cruise is always just Tom Cruise, and the plot is so full of holes and silly scenarios that just don't make sense, I almost stopped watching it 3/4 of the way through. If you can overlook those (I can't) you might enjoy it. Watch the original instead because it stays true to being a B movie, and doesn't try so hard like this disaster of a film does. All in all, a big disappointment from Spielberg as far as I'm concerned. Even the good special effects can't make up for a plot that has more holes than Swiss Cheese. There isn't enough space here to list them all.

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S K

@SDK9001 Aug 21, 2026

Not perfect but a genuinely creepy vibe with quality special effects for the time. Over saturated filming effect works well with this story.

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Snake P

@RT15598169 Aug 6, 2026

I honestly don't understand the hate with a 42% audience score. This Cruise/Spielberg pairing nailed the entertainment factor. War of the Worlds is an absolute blast and one of those rare sci-fi movies I can watch over and over again without getting bored.

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MB B

@Moneypenny Jul 30, 2026

One of Spielberg's and Cruise's best films. How can it have a 42% Popcorn meter rating?

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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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