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Trailer

Twelve Monkeys

1995Movie2 h 9 minR

Thriller
81
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb8.0Letterboxd3.9/5Metacritic758.1Rotten Tomatoes88%88%

A nerve-racking, profoundly sad sci-fi movie about the future and the mind, with standout direction and performances.

Good for friends night · teens · thought-provoking

Skip it if you need an uplifting mood · you want to half-watch while scrolling

Where to watch

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Not for warmth, comfort or laughs.

Movies with

Story

The future is history.

In the year 2035, convict James Cole reluctantly volunteers to be sent back in time to discover the origin of a deadly virus that wiped out nearly all of the earth's population and forced the survivors into underground communities. But when Cole is mistakenly sent to 1990 instead of 1996, he's arrested and locked up in a mental hospital. There he meets psychiatrist Dr. Kathryn Railly and the son of a famous virus expert who may hold the key to the Army of the 12 Monkeys; thought to be responsible for unleashing the killer disease.

Feels like

  • Time Travel Paradox
  • Dystopian Sci-Fi
  • Psychological Thriller
  • Non-Linear Narrative
  • Fatalistic Tragedy
  • Cult Classic Atmosphere
  • Complex Plot Structure
  • Existential Dread
  • Grim Future Vision

Cast

24 of 41

Crew

Directed by
Terry Gilliam
Written by
David Webb Peoples, Janet Peoples
Produced by
Charles Roven
Music by
Paul Buckmaster

Everyone

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

Facts

December 29, 1995 · 2 h 9 min · R

Released
December 29, 1995
Runtime
2 h 9 min
Age rating
R
Content
Violence, Strong Language, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Science Fiction, Thriller, Mystery
Original language
English
Also spoken
French
Made in
United States
Budget
$29 million
Box office
$169 million
Available in
84 countries

Tropes

Mind Screw, Unreliable Narrator, Bait-and-Switch +9

  • Mind Screw
  • Unreliable Narrator
  • Bait-and-Switch
  • Never My Fault
  • Got Volunteered
  • No-Holds-Barred Beatdown
  • "End Is Nigh" Ending
  • Futureshadowing
  • Poke the Poodle
  • Wig, Dress, Accent
  • Escaped Animal Rampage
  • Tracking Chip

12 of 114 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream Twelve Monkeys?"

Questions about Twelve Monkeys

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Twelve Monkeys?

In the United States, you can rent or buy Twelve Monkeys from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It streams in 28 other countries, but not in the United States.

Is Twelve Monkeys worth watching?

81
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 81 (IMDb 8, Letterboxd 3.9 out of 5, Rotten Tomatoes 88%, and Metacritic 75).

Can I half-watch Twelve Monkeys?

Easy watchDemanding

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

Will I feel good after watching Twelve Monkeys?

BleakHopeful

Probably not: the title analysis rates it 9 of 10 for bleakness and 9 for melancholy, against 2 for hopefulness.

Was Twelve Monkeys a box office hit?

Budget$29 million
Box office$169 million

Yes, a big one: it cost about $29 million to make and earned $169 million worldwide, 5.8 times its budget.

What tropes does Twelve Monkeys use?

Mind ScrewUnreliable NarratorBait-and-SwitchNever My FaultGot VolunteeredNo-Holds-Barred Beatdown"End Is Nigh" EndingFutureshadowingPoke the PoodleWig, Dress, AccentEscaped Animal RampageTracking Chipand 102 more

TV Tropes lists 114 tropes for it, including Mind Screw, Unreliable Narrator, and Bait-and-Switch.