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Trailer

Arrival

2016Movie1 h 56 minPG-13

Drama
84
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.9Letterboxd4.1/5Metacritic818.2Rotten Tomatoes94%83%
84
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.9Letterboxd4.1/5Metacritic818.2Rotten Tomatoes94%83%

Summary

Taking place after alien crafts land around the world, an expert linguist is recruited by the military to determine whether they come in peace or are a threat.

Good for

  • Date night
  • Friends night
  • Teens

Skip it if

  • You want fast pacing
  • You want to half-watch while scrolling

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for laughs, romance or scares.

Movies with

Cast

24 of 57

Crew

Directed by
Denis Villeneuve
Written by
Eric Heisserer
Produced by
Shawn Levy, Dan Cohen, David Linde
Music by
Jóhann Jóhannsson

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

November 10, 2016 · 1 h 56 min · PG-13

Released
November 10, 2016
Runtime
1 h 56 min
Age rating
PG-13
Content
Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Drama, Science Fiction, Mystery
Original language
English
Also spoken
Chinese, Russian
Made in
United States
Budget
$47 million
Box office
$203 million
Available in
101 countries

Tropes

Scenery Porn, Troubled Backstory Flashback, Title Drop +9

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream Arrival?"

Questions about Arrival

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Arrival?

Paramount+KanopyHooplaApple TV

In the United States, Arrival streams on Paramount+ and Apple TV, and it is free with ads on Kanopy and Hoopla. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, JustWatch TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 65 other countries.

Is Arrival worth watching?

84
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 84 (IMDb 7.9, Letterboxd 4.1 out of 5, Rotten Tomatoes 94%, and Metacritic 81).

Is Arrival okay for kids?

PG-13Disturbing imagery

Not for young kids: it's rated PG-13 in the United States for disturbing imagery, and the viewing guide lists it for teens and adults.

Can I half-watch Arrival?

Easy watchDemanding

No, it needs your attention: the title analysis rates it 9 of 10 for philosophical and 9 for non-linear narrative.

Was Arrival a box office hit?

Budget$47 million
Box office$203 million

Yes: it cost about $47 million to make and earned $203 million worldwide, 4.3 times its budget.

What tropes does Arrival use?

Scenery PornTroubled Backstory FlashbackTitle DropChekhov's GunmanWhat Happened to the Mouse?Creepy GoodTouched by VorlonsOpening MonologueArtistic License – LinguisticsCut Phone LinesWhite-and-Grey MoralityOminous Fogand 122 more

TV Tropes lists 134 tropes for it, including Scenery Porn, Troubled Backstory Flashback, and Title Drop.