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Twelve Monkeys

1995·Movie
2h 9min·R
81
GreatGoodWatch score

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Not streaming in United States. Where it is:

Twelve Monkeys fingerprint

Masterful craft, high energy.

Energy

Nerve-racking

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension9
  • Adrenaline6
  • Spectacle6

Heart

Profoundly sad and moving

  • Melancholy9
  • Pathos8
  • Wonder7

Humor

Some sharp wit and dark humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay6
  • Dark Humor5
  • Cringe Humor4

World

The future, the mind, and mystery

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

  • World Immersion9
  • Rewatchability9
  • Ambiguity8

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and storytelling

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Non-linear Narrative10
  • Direction9
  • Acting9

Style

Standout editing, cinematography, and score

A distinctive visual signature.

  • Editing9
  • Cinematography8
  • Music Composition8

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPartner 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

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.
Time Travel ParadoxDystopian Sci-FiPsychological ThrillerNon-Linear NarrativeFatalistic TragedyCult Classic AtmosphereComplex Plot StructureExistential DreadGrim Future Vision

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Twelve Monkeys

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Twelve Monkeys legally?

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

Is Twelve Monkeys worth watching?

81
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 81/100 (IMDb 8, Rotten Tomatoes 88%, and Metacritic 75). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Twelve Monkeys rated?

RViolenceStrong languageDisturbing imagery

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

How long is Twelve Monkeys?

2 h 9 min

Twelve Monkeys runs 2 h 9 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Twelve Monkeys?

Critics82
Audiences83

Yes. Critics average 82 and audiences 83 out of 100, so both groups see Twelve Monkeys much the same way.

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 language is Twelve Monkeys in?

EnglishFrench

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

In how many countries can I watch Twelve Monkeys?

84ADAEAGALARATAUBABBBGBOBRBSBZ+70

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Twelve Monkeys in 84 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

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 storytelling tropes for Twelve Monkeys, including Mind Screw, Unreliable Narrator, Bait-and-Switch.