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The Happening

2008·Movie
1h 30min·R
IMDb5.0Metacritic344.0Rotten Tomatoes17%24%

Where to watch

PeacockYouTube TVPeacock Premium+

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

What's your score?

Your score

The Happening fingerprint

High energy, light on feelings.

Energy

Scary and tense

Fast from start to finish.

  • Scare8
  • Tension7
  • Fast Pace7

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Melancholy5
  • Family Dynamics5
  • Pathos4

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Absurdist Humor4
  • Dark Humor4
  • Cringe Humor3

World

The mind, everyday modern life, and technology

  • World Immersion6
  • Ambiguity6
  • Dialogue Centrality5

Craft

Solid, not remarkable

  • Intrigue7
  • Acting5
  • Narrative Structure5

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography6
  • Music Composition6
  • Sound Centrality6

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightSolo WatchThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You scare easily

Find more like it

Scary movies

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

We've sensed it. We've seen the signs. Now...it's happening.

When a deadly airborne virus threatens to wipe out the northeastern United States, teacher Elliot Moore and his wife Alma flee from contaminated cities into the countryside in a fight to discover the truth. Is it terrorism, the accidental release of some toxic military bio weapon -- or something even more sinister?
Eco-HorrorEnvironmental ApocalypsePsychological ThrillerNature Strikes BackSupernatural ThreatExistential DreadParanoia & SuspicionFailed Human ConnectionDumb Thrills

Crew

Directed by:
M. Night Shyamalan, Mary Cybulski, Chris DeAngelis
Written by:
M. Night Shyamalan
Produced by:
M. Night Shyamalan, Barry Mendel, Gary Barber
Composed by:
James Newton Howard, Paul Urmson, Paul Urmson

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Happening

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Happening legally?

PeacockYouTube TVPeacock Premium+

The Happening is included with a subscription to Peacock, YouTube TV, and Peacock Premium+ in the United States. You can also 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 The Happening worth watching?

33
BadGoodWatch score

Reviews are weak, with a GoodWatch score of 34/100 (IMDb 5, Rotten Tomatoes 17%, and Metacritic 34). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Happening rated?

RViolenceStrong languageDisturbing imagery

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

How long is The Happening?

1 h 30 min

The Happening runs 1 h 30 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Happening?

Critics26
Audiences38

Not quite. Audiences rate The Happening higher (38) than critics (26). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

Was The Happening a box office hit?

Budget$60 million
Box office$163 million

Yes. It cost about $60 million to make and earned $163 million worldwide, 2.7 times its budget.

What language is The Happening in?

EnglishFrench

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

In how many countries can I watch The Happening?

82ADAEALARAUAZBABEBGBOBRBZCACH+68

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Happening in 82 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Happening use?

Poor Communication KillsHumans Are BastardsThe RevealDisposable PilotPsychic-Assisted SuicideScience Cannot Comprehend PhlebotinumRipped from the HeadlinesCute MuteRed ShirtCreator CameoProduct PlacementTin-Can Telephoneand 39 more

TV Tropes lists 51 storytelling tropes for The Happening, including Poor Communication Kills, Humans Are Bastards, The Reveal.