The Arrival

1996·Movie
1h 55min·PG-13
60
DecentGoodWatch score
IMDb6.2Metacritic886.3Rotten Tomatoes––

Where to watch

PrimeThe RokuThe CWHooplaFandango at Home Free

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

The Arrival fingerprint

Strong craft, striking style, light on feelings.

Energy

Tense

  • Tension7
  • Adrenaline6
  • Fast Pace6

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Wonder6
  • Pathos4
  • Catharsis4

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Satire & Parody3
  • Absurdist Humor2

World

Technology, the future, and mystery

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Solid, not remarkable

  • Intrigue8
  • Direction7
  • Acting7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchSolo WatchTeensBinge-FriendlyDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking

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About

The greatest danger facing our world has been the planet's best kept secret... until now.

Zane Ziminski is an astrophysicist who receives a message that seems to have extraterrestrial origins. Eerily soon after his discovery, Zane is fired. He then embarks on a search to determine the origins of the transmission that leads him into a Hitchcockian labyrinth of paranoia and intrigue.
Sci-Fi ConspiracyAlien InvasionTechno-ThrillerParanoiaPolitical IntrigueTechnological ThreatAtmosphericSlow Burn

Crew

Directed by:
David Twohy, Dea Cantu, René Villarreal
Written by:
David Twohy
Produced by:
Ted Field, Robert W. Cort, Mary Jo Slater
Composed by:
Dianna Stirpe, Ethan Van der Ryn, Lora Hirschberg

Sequels and Prequels

Media

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Questions about The Arrival

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Arrival legally?

PrimeThe RokuThe CWHooplaFandango at Home FreePluto TVVIX Plex

The Arrival is included with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on The CW, Hoopla, and Fandango at Home Free. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Arrival worth watching?

60
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 61/100 (IMDb 6.2 and Metacritic 88). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Arrival rated?

PG-13Strong language

It's rated PG-13 in the United States. Content advisories: strong language.

How long is The Arrival?

1 h 55 min

The Arrival runs 1 h 55 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Arrival?

Critics88
Audiences63

Not quite. Critics rate The Arrival higher (88) than audiences (63). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

Was The Arrival a box office hit?

Budget$25 million
Box office$14 million

No. It cost about $25 million to make and earned $14 million worldwide, 56% of its budget.

What language is The Arrival in?

EnglishFrench

It was made in English, with some French. Produced in Mexico, United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Arrival?

57AGARATAUBBBEBMBOBRBSBZCACHCL+43

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Arrival in 57 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Arrival use?

Xanatos Speed ChessStarfish LanguageAbsurdly Sharp BladeBond Villain StupidityNon-Indicative NameAlien InvasionThe ConspiracyPre-Mortem One-LinerRewarded as a Traitor DeservesChekhov's GunMake It Look Like an AccidentAlliterative Nameand 21 more

TV Tropes lists 33 storytelling tropes for The Arrival, including Xanatos Speed Chess, Starfish Language, Absurdly Sharp Blade.

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