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The War of the Worlds

Play trailer 2:27 Poster for The War of the Worlds G 1953 1h 25m Sci-Fi Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 46 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Scientist Clayton Forrester (Gene Barry) and Sylvia Van Buren (Ann Robinson) are the first to arrive at the site of a meteorite crash. Soon after, an alien war machine emerges and begins killing at random. The Marines are called in, but they're no match for the aliens' force field. Forrester and Van Buren, however, are able to wound one of the creatures and procure a sample of its blood. They take it to Los Angeles where they hope, through testing, to be able to discover the aliens' weakness.
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The War of the Worlds

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Critics Consensus

Though it's dated in spots, The War of the Worlds retains an unnerving power, updating H.G. Wells' classic sci-fi tale to the Cold War era and featuring some of the best special effects of any 1950s film.

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Critics Reviews

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Milton Shulman London Evening Standard Aug 6, 2025
The War of the Worlds is an impressive and spectacular example of science-fiction hokum with just enough moments of adult horror to merit its "X" certificate. But I shudder to think of what will happen to us should the Martians ever learn to gargle. Go to Full Review Mildred Martin Philadelphia Inquirer Aug 6, 2025
Gaudily dressed in Technicolor, directed with all stops out by Byron Haskin, The War of the Worlds has been equipped by Barre Lyndon with a script Wells would probably be only too anxious to disown were he still around. Go to Full Review Marjory Adams Boston Globe Aug 6, 2025
The War of the Worlds is designed for the credulous, the adolescent and the reader of make-believe "science" fiction. But it also has its moments for those who like to laugh at the strange and weird machinations of the Hollywood script writers. Go to Full Review John Bustin Austin American-Statesman Aug 6, 2025
Though the terrifying effect of the movie version has been somewhat lessened by the frequency of similar interplanetary yarns, it's still a wildly imaginative thing that'll give the science-fiction fans a good workout. Go to Full Review KC Star Staff Kansas City Star Aug 6, 2025
A spine-tingling motion picture with impact. Go to Full Review Janet Graves Photoplay Aug 6, 2025
A chiller that will have movie-goers nervously scanning the sky for flying saucers as they leave the theatre. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 4, 2026 This was the very first first movie about War of the Worlds, so it gets a 4 star rating! See more Jim P @RT08384096 Aug 23, 2026 The book is classic Sci Fi but some may find it heavy going. So watch this 1953 version, the first - and best - movie! Great effects for its' time. And still quite frightening in parts! See more Steve D @RT35616104 Aug 16, 2026 The ending makes it work for me but it isn't great. See more David F @SerfWare Jun 30, 2026 However old it is, it is easily a far better movie than any of the remakes. This is mandatory viewing for any Sci-Fi buff. See more Michael C @Michael71 May 6, 2026 More than seven decades after its initial release, "The War of the Worlds" has stood the test of time for the most part. A very good story that is well played out. The late Gene Barry does well in his role as Dr. Clayton Forrester. The effects still hold up today’s standards. While it is easy to see the strings holding up the alien spacecrafts in some scenes, I still think the effects are top notch deserving of the Academy Award for Visual Effects. One of the few criticisms I have is the formulaic story. Everything humanity tries to stop the invaders fails miserably. All seems lost and humanity is doomed. Until……. That aside "The War of the Worlds" is a good movie that is worth seeing. While not great, it is a well made entertaining movie. See more Ted B. @Movieaddicted Mar 1, 2026 4.0 stars; Yes, there are parts of this film that are dated (made in 1953). However, vast parts of this film were way ahead of their time, especially the special effects. I actually saw this film when it was originally released. I just remember how it scared the #%&@ out of me. I can see how it scared millions when it was broadcast by Orson Welles as a play on the radio. This is a haunting take on the H.G. Wells classic. It effectively translates the original novel's themes into a 1950s setting, highlighting our collective vulnerability and the grim realities of conflict. H. G. Wells was a clever author. That in the end, he made the greatest of powers vulnerable to the smallest part of creation. See more Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Byron Haskin

Director

Gene Barry

Dr. Clayton Forrester

Ann Robinson

Sylvia Van Buren

Les Tremayne

Maj. Gen. Mann

Lewis Martin

Pastor Dr. Matthew Collins

Robert Cornthwaite

Dr. Pryor

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The War of the Worlds

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The War of the Worlds

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Movie Info

Synopsis Scientist Clayton Forrester (Gene Barry) and Sylvia Van Buren (Ann Robinson) are the first to arrive at the site of a meteorite crash. Soon after, an alien war machine emerges and begins killing at random. The Marines are called in, but they're no match for the aliens' force field. Forrester and Van Buren, however, are able to wound one of the creatures and procure a sample of its blood. They take it to Los Angeles where they hope, through testing, to be able to discover the aliens' weakness.
Director
Byron Haskin
Producer
George Pal
Screenwriter
Barré Lyndon, H.G. Wells
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount Pictures
Rating
G
Genre
Sci-Fi
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 26, 1953, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 18, 2016
Runtime
1h 25m
Sound Mix
Mono, Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.37:1), 35mm
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