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Trailer

War of the Worlds

2005Movie1 h 57 minPG-13

Thriller
67
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb6.6Metacritic736.9Rotten Tomatoes76%42%

A nerve-racking, pulse-pounding adventure movie about family and everyday modern life, with standout direction and performances.

Good for date night · friends night · party vibe

Skip it if you want something to laugh at · you scare easily · you want something quiet and calm

Where to watch

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Not for laughs.

Movies with

Story

They're already here.

Ray Ferrier is a divorced dockworker and less-than-perfect father. Soon after his ex-wife and her new husband drop off his teenage son and young daughter for a rare weekend visit, a strange and powerful lightning storm touches down.

Feels like

  • Visceral Alien Invasion
  • Survival Thriller
  • Grounded Apocalyptic Horror
  • Intense Father-Son Bond
  • Masterful Sound Design
  • Spielbergian Spectacle
  • Claustrophobic Tension
  • Realistic Disaster Movie
  • High-Octane Chase Sequence

Cast

24 of 80

Crew

Directed by
Steven Spielberg
Written by
David Koepp, Josh Friedman, H. G. Wells
Produced by
Kathleen Kennedy, Colin Wilson
Music by
John Williams

Everyone

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

Facts

June 28, 2005 · 1 h 57 min · PG-13

Released
June 28, 2005
Runtime
1 h 57 min
Age rating
PG-13
Content
Violence, Disturbing Imagery, Strong Language
Genres
Adventure, Thriller, Science Fiction
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Budget
$132 million
Box office
$604 million
Available in
117 countries
Keywords
based on novel or book

Tropes

Sanity Has Advantages, Foil, Lack of Empathy +9

  • Sanity Has Advantages
  • Foil
  • Lack of Empathy
  • Living Ship
  • Tranquil Fury
  • Steel Eardrums
  • Evil Cannot Comprehend Good
  • Pineapple Surprise
  • Panic Attack
  • Weaksauce Weakness
  • Playing Catch with the Old Man
  • Spiritual Successor

12 of 207 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream War of the Worlds?"

Questions about War of the Worlds

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream War of the Worlds?

HBO MaxParamount+KanopyHooplaCinemaxXumo PlayStarzApple TV

In the United States, War of the Worlds streams on HBO Max, Paramount+, Cinemax, Starz, and Apple TV, and it is free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla, and Xumo Play. You can rent or buy it from JustWatch TV Free, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 100 other countries.

Is War of the Worlds worth watching?

67
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 67 (IMDb 6.6, Rotten Tomatoes 76%, and Metacritic 73). Critics rate it higher (75 out of 100) than audiences (59).

Is War of the Worlds okay for kids?

PG-13ViolenceDisturbing imageryStrong language

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

Will War of the Worlds scare me?

Not scaryTerrifying

Yes, it's frightening: scares are rated 8 of 10.

Was War of the Worlds a box office hit?

Budget$132 million
Box office$604 million

Yes: it cost about $132 million to make and earned $604 million worldwide, 4.6 times its budget.

What tropes does War of the Worlds use?

Sanity Has AdvantagesFoilLack of EmpathyLiving ShipTranquil FurySteel EardrumsEvil Cannot Comprehend GoodPineapple SurprisePanic AttackWeaksauce WeaknessPlaying Catch with the Old ManSpiritual Successorand 195 more

TV Tropes lists 207 tropes for it, including Sanity Has Advantages, Foil, and Lack of Empathy.