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John Carter

Play trailer Poster for John Carter PG-13 2012 2h 12m Sci-Fi Action Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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52% Tomatometer 234 Reviews 60% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
When Civil War veteran John Carter mysteriously awakes on the surface of Mars -- also called Barsoom -- he little expects the adventure that awaits him. Carter reluctantly becomes embroiled in an epic conflict among the red planet's inhabitants, including Tars Tarkas and Princess Dejah Thoris. As Barsoom is poised on the brink of collapse, war-weary Carter rediscovers his humanity when he realizes that everyone's fate is in his hands.
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John Carter

John Carter

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Critics Consensus

While John Carter looks terrific and delivers its share of pulpy thrills, it also suffers from uneven pacing and occasionally incomprehensible plotting and characterization.

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Critics Reviews

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J. Hoberman ARTINFO.com Feb 25, 2019
For the most part, the first "live action" feature by Andrew Stanton, is graphically splendiferous and enjoyably nonsensical. Go to Full Review Matt Singer ScreenCrush Apr 5, 2012
5/10
Isn't the disaster some industry observers predicted, but it's not the high-gloss masterpiece some of us hoped for either. Go to Full Review David Denby The New Yorker Mar 26, 2012
A mess. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Sep 22, 2024
John rides a rhino into battle, fights great white apes in the arena, and leaps great distances like Superman in the early, original comic books. Go to Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Feb 22, 2023
2.5/4
It’s watchable and, at times, an enjoyable film, just not wowing or immediately satisfying in the way so many of Burroughs’ readers had hoped it would be. Go to Full Review David Bax Battleship Pretension Mar 16, 2021
John Carter is a good summer movie in March but, with the exception of that one fleeting segment, it's not a great movie at any time of year. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 14, 2026 John Carter = a *3* star Movie... See more Frans B @FransB Sep 1, 2026 Brilliant and unique. Absolutely stunning visually, novel ideas, very well written. Cinematography and visual effects to capture the correct ambiance perfectly. Stellar cast excels in character. Will remain one of my favorite movies ever. Technically well assembled. Lots of action, drama, twists, suspense, awe, emotion and intrigue. Very entertaining and captivating See more Chuck A @RT93111955 Aug 13, 2026 One of the best adventure movies that was way ahead of its time. Better than avatar that’s for sure See more isaac Y @TruthSpeaker433 Jul 17, 2026 Underrated movie love the world created and unique See more Samuel M @SamTheMan Jul 10, 2026 I thought this was a awesome movie! Though I never saw it in the movie theater only streaming. I have watched this over and over now multiple times. I can’t get enough of the sci-fi part of this movie. This movie a great plot and story that I could follow with suspense. I always wished that there was a John Carter of Mars as a Part# 2. See more BEN T @RT55697235 Jun 3, 2026 I've watched this movie twice and i enjoyed it even more the second time! my kids also loved it. everything about this movie feels unique and creative. It has a fantastic story with amazing music and cinematics. acting is also solid. truly sad this didn't do better in theaters and lead to sequels. See more Read all reviews
John Carter

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Cast & Crew

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Andrew Stanton

Director

Taylor Kitsch

John Carter

Lynn Collins

Princess Dejah Thoris

Willem Dafoe

Tars Tarkas

Samantha Morton

Sola

Ciarán Hinds

Tardos Mors

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John Carter

Woola in "John Carter." Lynn Collins as Dejah Thoris in "John Carter." (L-R) Willem Dafoe as Tars Tarkas and Taylor Kitsch as John Carter in "John Carter." A scene from "John Carter." Taylor Kitsch as John Carter in "John Carter." (L-R) Tars Tarkas and Taylor Kitsch as John Carter in "John Carter." A scene from "John Carter." Lynn Collins as Dejah Thoris and Taylor Kitsch as John Carter in "John Carter." A scene from "John Carter." A scene from "John Carter." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis When Civil War veteran John Carter mysteriously awakes on the surface of Mars -- also called Barsoom -- he little expects the adventure that awaits him. Carter reluctantly becomes embroiled in an epic conflict among the red planet's inhabitants, including Tars Tarkas and Princess Dejah Thoris. As Barsoom is poised on the brink of collapse, war-weary Carter rediscovers his humanity when he realizes that everyone's fate is in his hands.
Director
Andrew Stanton
Producer
Jim Morris, Colin Wilson, Lindsey Collins
Screenwriter
Andrew Stanton, Mark Andrews, Michael Chabon
Distributor
Walt Disney
Production Co
Walt Disney Studios
Rating
PG-13 (Intense Sequences of Violence|Intense Sequences of Action)
Genre
Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 9, 2012, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$73.1M
Runtime
2h 12m
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