War of the Worlds

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2:18

War of the Worlds

PG-13

2005

1h 56m

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Action

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

262 Reviews

42%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Dockworker Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) struggles to build a positive relationship with his two children, Rachel (Dakota Fanning) and Robbie (Justin Chatwin). When his ex-wife, Mary Ann (Miranda Otto), drops them off at Ferrier's house, it seems as though it will be just another tension-filled weekend. However, when electromagnetic pulses of lightning strike the area, the strange event turns out to be the beginning of an alien invasion, and Ferrier must now protect his children as they seek refuge.

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Critics Consensus

Steven Spielberg's adaptation of War of the Worlds delivers on the thrill and paranoia of H.G. Wells' classic novel while impressively updating the action and effects for modern audiences.

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

Jul 5, 2022

This superior popcorn flick revels in the unabashed joy of blowing stuff into oblivion.

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Nell Minow

Beliefnet

Aug 15, 2013

B+

The story is affecting, the action scenes are thrilling, the issues are resonant.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Jun 8, 2007

Spielberg's calculations turn out to be more prominent than any effects they could possibly produce, and the less pretentious 1953 version by producer George Pal emerges as more likable.

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Nicolás Medina

Peliplat

May 10, 2025

10/10

If the 1953 film was set in a post-war context and fight against the Soviets, this one is set in the post 9/11 era that shattered the security and stability of the United States. [Full review in Spanish]

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Alan Jones

Radio Times

Apr 12, 2024

4/5

The first (and much the superior) hour is a masterclass in escalating tension, with grandiose and brilliantly executed sequences following in rapid succession.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Aug 5, 2022

3.5/4

Highly influential, ever innovative, and full of emotion and slick formal trickery, the film lives up to the precise definition of what "Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds" should be.

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Adam S

@GDog9 2 days ago

It started OK, but then we are assailed by a squealing and hysterical child... the grumpy anti-dad teenager I can kind-of cope with... but the incessant squealing and demanding overshadowed anything the Tripods could do. I found myself very quickly wishing the invaders would wipe them out and give us some peace and quiet. The dad, Tom, did his best.. but really..... This story was not supposed to be about dysfunctional America or dysfunctional families.... It is supposed to be about humanity's triumph over evil. Squealing tantrums do NOT play a part in that. Annoying, irritating, hysterical THING... Take it away please. Big shame as I think it had potential.....

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Nick F

@NickMovieGuy 5 days ago

I love Tom Cruise. He was great in this movie. Also one of the best child actors I have ever seen was in this as Tom Cruise’s daughter. It was very intense and had some epic moments. The CGI was not great but I don’t care too much about that.

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Angelique T

@RT64568713 Oct 28, 2026

Tom Cruise was incredible in this movie, like he is in all movies

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Isaac O

@Isaac_FilmFan Oct 19, 2026

War of the Worlds is just an alright movie that does has some flaws. Firstly I would like to say that the acting from Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning are both great, especially Fanning’s. Even though people don’t really like Dakota’s acting in here I still enjoy how she played her character, like she is a literal child, this is what a child would do like screaming a lot and asking lots of questions. Cruise also does a good job at playing his character Ray, like how he starts out as this unlikable character to redeeming himself to become a much more caring and protective father. Also the Tripods are really cool especially when they make that horn sound. But now the flaws, this movie has the most cliché ending ever, like how the heck did Robbie survive the huge explosion when he ran off? Also I want to point out that this may not be accurate to an actual apocalyptic setting, like if this actually happened then everything would be more chaotic. So this movie is a one time watch only.

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Samuel G

@RT40782160 Oct 19, 2026

War of the worlds is the best movie ever by Steven Spielberg!

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Jovana M

@J_loves_movies Oct 18, 2026

After all of these years, this movie is still absolutely amazing! You get immersed in the story and the special effects are mindblowing how realistic it looks, way better than what is made nowadays with too much artificial looking CGI. I really wish they make more movies like this for all of us scifi lovers, it's about time someone comes up with something as good

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Steven Spielberg

Director

Tom Cruise

Ray Ferrier

Dakota Fanning

Rachel Ferrier

Miranda Otto

Mary Ann

Justin Chatwin

Robbie

Tim Robbins

Harlan Ogilvy

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Synopsis

Dockworker Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) struggles to build a positive relationship with his two children, Rachel (Dakota Fanning) and Robbie (Justin Chatwin). When his ex-wife, Mary Ann (Miranda Otto), drops them off at Ferrier's house, it seems as though it will be just another tension-filled weekend. However, when electromagnetic pulses of lightning strike the area, the strange event turns out to be the beginning of an alien invasion, and Ferrier must now protect his children as they seek refuge.

Director: Steven Spielberg
Producer: Kathleen Kennedy, Colin Wilson
Screenwriter: H.G. Wells, Josh Friedman, David Koepp
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Frightening Sequences|Disturbing Images|Sci-Fi Violence)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Adventure, Action, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 29, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 14, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $234.3M
Runtime: 1h 56m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

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