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City of Ember

2008·Movie
1h 35min·PG
57
DecentGoodWatch score

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Not streaming in United States. Where it is:

City of Ember fingerprint

High energy, strong craft, a touch of humor.

Energy

Tense and fast-paced

Fast from start to finish.

  • Tension7
  • Fast Pace7
  • Spectacle7

Heart

Hopeful and wondrous

Much of it is about growing up.

  • Hopefulness8
  • Wonder8
  • Catharsis7

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Absurdist Humor3
  • Situational Comedy2

World

Fantasy, the future, and mystery

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Novelty7
  • Dialogue Centrality6

Craft

Solid, not remarkable

  • Intrigue8
  • Direction7
  • Acting7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFamily Movie NightFriends NightIntergenerationalKidsPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyPure EscapismThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Escape is the only option

For generations, the people of the City of Ember have flourished in an amazing world of glittering lights. But Ember's once powerful generator is failing and the great lamps that illuminate the city are starting to flicker. Now, two teenagers, in a race against time, must search Ember for clues that will unlock the ancient mystery of the city's existence, before the the lights go out forever.
Dystopian MysterySteampunk ElementsComing-of-Age AdventureHopeful UndertonesOrphan ProtagonistCity in PerilTechnological DecaySecret SocietyHeroic Quest

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about City of Ember

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream City of Ember legally?

You can rent or buy it from Apple TV, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is City of Ember worth watching?

57
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 57/100 (IMDb 6.4, Rotten Tomatoes 53%, and Metacritic 58). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is City of Ember rated?

PG

It's rated PG in the United States.

How long is City of Ember?

1 h 35 min

City of Ember runs 1 h 35 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on City of Ember?

Critics56
Audiences58

Yes. Critics average 56 and audiences 58 out of 100, so both groups see City of Ember much the same way.

Was City of Ember a box office hit?

Budget$55 million
Box office$18 million

No. It cost about $55 million to make and earned $18 million worldwide, 32% of its budget.

What language is City of Ember in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch City of Ember?

50ADAEARATAUBEBOBRCACHCLCOCRCZ+36

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for City of Ember in 50 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does City of Ember use?

False Flag OperationApocalyptic Underground RefugeSurprisingly Realistic OutcomeSurprisingly Realistic OutcomeComposite CharacterDies Differently in AdaptationToken Evil TeammateAdaptation Name ChangeSmall, Secluded WorldStop Worshipping MePassed in Their SleepEternal Engineand 86 more

TV Tropes lists 98 storytelling tropes for City of Ember, including False Flag Operation, Apocalyptic Underground Refuge, Surprisingly Realistic Outcome.