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Trailer

The Man Who Fell to Earth

1976Movie2 h 19 minR

Drama
73
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb6.5Metacritic816.7Rotten Tomatoes79%68%

A philosophical, wondrous sci-fi movie about the mind and technology, with standout performances and characters.

Good for date night · friends night · thought-provoking

Skip it if you want fast pacing · you want to half-watch while scrolling

Where to watch

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Not for warmth, laughs or comfort.

Movies with

Story

Power, space, time and a visitor.

Thomas Jerome Newton is an alien who has come to Earth in search of water to save his home planet. Aided by lawyer Oliver Farnsworth, Thomas uses his knowledge of advanced technology to create profitable inventions. While developing a method to transport water, Thomas meets Mary-Lou, a quiet hotel clerk, and begins to fall in love with her. Just as he is ready to leave Earth, Thomas is intercepted by the U.S. government, and his entire plan is threatened.

Feels like

  • Alienation
  • Lost Humanity
  • Existential Crisis
  • Sci-Fi Drama
  • Psychological
  • Philosophical
  • Slow Burn
  • Melancholy
  • Technological Dystopia

Cast

10 of 10

Crew

Directed by
Nicolas Roeg
Written by
Paul Mayersberg, Walter Tevis
Produced by
Michael Deeley, Barry Spikings
Music by
John Phillips, Stomu Yamashta

Everyone

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

Facts

March 18, 1976 · 2 h 19 min · R

Released
March 18, 1976
Runtime
2 h 19 min
Age rating
R
Content
Nudity, Sexual Content
Genres
Science Fiction, Drama, Fantasy
Original language
English
Made in
United Kingdom, Curaçao
Budget
$2 million
Available in
29 countries
Keywords
based on novel or book

Tropes

Reclusive Artist, Non-Human Lover Reveal, Ominous Multiple Screens +9

  • Reclusive Artist
  • Non-Human Lover Reveal
  • Ominous Multiple Screens
  • Pop-Star Composer
  • Dying Race
  • Humanity is Infectious
  • Re-Cut
  • Freaky Is Cool
  • Mind Screw
  • We Are as Mayflies
  • Foreshadowing
  • Hot for Student

12 of 70 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream The Man Who Fell to Earth?"

Questions about The Man Who Fell to Earth

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Man Who Fell to Earth?

The RokuThe CWKanopyHooplaPlexFawesomeLionsgate+BFI Player

In the United States, The Man Who Fell to Earth streams on Lionsgate+, BFI Player, and Howdy, and it is free with ads on The Roku, The CW, Kanopy, Hoopla, Plex, Fawesome, and Tubi TV. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, and Microsoft Store. It also streams in 19 other countries.

Is The Man Who Fell to Earth worth watching?

73
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 73 (IMDb 6.5, Rotten Tomatoes 79%, and Metacritic 81). Critics rate it higher (80 out of 100) than audiences (67).

Can I half-watch The Man Who Fell to Earth?

Easy watchDemanding

No, it needs your attention: the title analysis rates it 9 of 10 for philosophical and 8 for complexity.

Is The Man Who Fell to Earth good for date night?

Date NightPartner WatchAdultsFriends NightSolo Watch

Yes: romance is 6 of 10, and the viewing guide lists it for date night.

What tropes does The Man Who Fell to Earth use?

Reclusive ArtistNon-Human Lover RevealOminous Multiple ScreensPop-Star ComposerDying RaceHumanity is InfectiousRe-CutFreaky Is CoolMind ScrewWe Are as MayfliesForeshadowingHot for Studentand 58 more

TV Tropes lists 70 tropes for it, including Reclusive Artist, Non-Human Lover Reveal, and Ominous Multiple Screens.