The Arrival

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2:02

The Arrival

PG-13

1996

1h 55m

Sci-Fi

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

65%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

44%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

After astronomer Zane Zaminski (Charlie Sheen) discovers a radio transmission that originated from space, he tells his boss, Phil (Ron Silver), who ignores him. Zane is promptly fired, and decides to investigate the signal himself. When he discovers a return radio transmission from Mexico, he goes to explore. There he meets climate scientist Ilana Green (Lindsay Crouse), who is studying anomalies in gases in the area. Zane soon makes a shocking finding that puts him in great danger.

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Critics Consensus

Stylish and inventive, The Arrival offers a surprisingly smart spin on the alien invasion genre.

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

02/09/2006

What it lacks in sophistication (everything), it partly makes up for in sheer gall.

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Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle

06/18/2002

3/4

It's a strong, lean piece of writing that moves quickly. Nothing is wasted, and nothing happens the way you'd expect.

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Stephen Holden

New York Times

01/01/2000

A movie that shoehorns a blunt warning into its silly but entertaining story of a young radio astronomer's one-man battle against sinister extraterrestrials.

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Mal Vincent

The Virginian-Pilot

02/25/2022

2.5/4

E.T. would find it false propaganda, but for fans of the genre, it's standard sci-fi with all the needed ingredients.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

09/09/2020

6/10

The film starts to fall apart at the introduction of the aliens themselves, which suffer from dated special effects and an immediate aura of disbelief.

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

02/13/2017

B

The CGI alien special effects are only so-so, but the film is rich in ideas, well-executed and is pleasingly entertaining even if silly.

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Bill E

@Billwill Apr 23

We do not get to see much of thr aliens.

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Daniel N

@RT24087858 Sep 23

Looked this up after hearing Charlie talk about it on Joe Rogan but was very disappointed. Awesome concept but clearly low budget and with really bad acting.

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Spike D

@Spike93 May 24

It's like a really, really crap Contact.

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Korra N

@RT88131552 03/17/2025

An odd but strangely compelling sci-fi thriller with some bold choices, fun sequences & wild character beats.

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Robert M

@RT85661926 02/26/2025

I really liked it I thought it was very good

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Koi P

@hopep 06/14/2024

Your best experience is to watch it without reading about it. The first watch is the best. Well written storyline and characters. Suspenseful.

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David Twohy

Director

Charlie Sheen

Zane Zaminsky

Ron Silver

Phil Gordian

Lindsay Crouse

Ilana Green

Teri Polo

Char

Richard Schiff

Calvin

The Arrival: Official Clip - Foot Chase in Mexico

2:11

The Arrival: Official Clip - Right Behind You

2:47

The Arrival: Official Clip - What Do They Look Like?

1:24

The Arrival: Official Clip - Problems Here on Earth

2:13

The Arrival: Official Clip - Tell Them That I Know

1:57

The Arrival: Official Clip - Alien Secrets

2:51

The Arrival: Official Clip - You Don't Deserve to Live Here

2:06

The Arrival: Official Clip - Portable Black Hole

2:11

The Arrival: Official Clip - Underground Secrets

2:08

The Arrival: Official Clip - Human Disguise

2:14

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The Arrival: Trailer 1

2:02

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Synopsis

After astronomer Zane Zaminski (Charlie Sheen) discovers a radio transmission that originated from space, he tells his boss, Phil (Ron Silver), who ignores him. Zane is promptly fired, and decides to investigate the signal himself. When he discovers a return radio transmission from Mexico, he goes to explore. There he meets climate scientist Ilana Green (Lindsay Crouse), who is studying anomalies in gases in the area. Zane soon makes a shocking finding that puts him in great danger.

Director: David Twohy
Producer: Thomas G. Smith, David Twohy, Jim Steele, Melissa Cira Taylor
Screenwriter: David Twohy
Production Co: Live Entertainment, Mediaworks, Steelwork Films
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 2, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $14.1M
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo