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Inception

2010·Movie
2h 28min·PG-13

Where to watch

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

Inception fingerprint

Relentless energy, masterful craft, a touch of humor.

Energy

Nerve-racking and breakneck

Fast from start to finish.

  • Tension9
  • Fast Pace9
  • Spectacle9

Heart

Wondrous and moving

Much of it is about family.

  • Family Dynamics8
  • Wonder8
  • Pathos7

Humor

Some sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay6
  • Physical Comedy3
  • Dark Humor3

World

The mind, crime, and family

Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.

  • World Immersion9
  • Rewatchability9
  • Ambiguity9

Craft

Standout direction, storytelling, and performances

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Direction10
  • Narrative Structure10
  • Intrigue10

Style

Standout editing, score, and cinematography

A distinctive visual signature.

  • Editing10
  • Music Composition10
  • Cinematography9

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightParty VibeIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensThought-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

Your mind is the scene of the crime.

Cobb, a skilled thief who commits corporate espionage by infiltrating the subconscious of his targets is offered a chance to regain his old life as payment for a task considered to be impossible: "inception", the implantation of another person's idea into a target's subconscious.
Mind-Bending Heist ThrillerLucid Dreaming LogicHans Zimmer's Iconic ScoreEmotional Grief & GuiltHigh-Stakes Psychological PuzzleChristopher Nolan SpectacleAmbiguous Reality EndingCinematic Editing Masterclass

Crew

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

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Questions about Inception

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Inception legally?

You can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Inception worth watching?

83
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 84/100 (IMDb 8.8, Rotten Tomatoes 86%, and Metacritic 74). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Inception rated?

PG-13ViolenceStrong languageDisturbing imagery

It's rated PG-13 in the United States. Content advisories: violence, strong language, and disturbing imagery.

How long is Inception?

2 h 28 min

Inception runs 2 h 28 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Inception?

Critics80
Audiences89

Not quite. Audiences rate Inception higher (89) than critics (80). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

Was Inception a box office hit?

Budget$160 million
Box office$839 million

Yes, a big one. It cost about $160 million to make and earned $839 million worldwide, 5.2 times its budget.

What language is Inception in?

EnglishFrenchJapaneseSwahili

It was made in English, with some French, Japanese, Swahili. Produced in United Kingdom, United States.

In how many countries can I watch Inception?

128ADAEAGALAOARATAUAZBABBBEBFBG+114

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Inception in 128 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Inception use?

The FacelessTake Our Word for ItArbitrarily Large Bank AccountTalking in Your DreamsSoundtrack DissonanceCool TrainWinter WarfareI Did What I Had to DoYou Cannot Kill an IdeaMore DakkaReal Dreams are WeirderRescued from the Underworldand 301 more

TV Tropes lists 313 storytelling tropes for Inception, including The Faceless, Take Our Word for It, Arbitrarily Large Bank Account.