War of the Worlds

Play trailer

2:18

War of the Worlds

PG-13

2005

1h 56m

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Action

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

264 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.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

Jul 5, 2022

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

Go to Full Review

Nell Minow

Beliefnet

Aug 15, 2013

B+

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

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

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]

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

mitch B

@Barrdown 15 hrs ago

Dumbest ending of all time

See more

Henry D

@Henry_Domke 1 day ago

The story was hard to believe and relentlessly grim, and Lorna found the overall experience unpleasant. But as a large-scale Spielberg production it is very watchable: the alien attacks, crowd panic, sound design, and visual effects were great. The newly remastered 4K print looked great and the soundtrack made the spectacle far more impressive than the story itself.

See more

Mark L

@Peabsrt 4 days ago

Spielberg cranking out another entertaining movie. It's a good remake and I like Tom Cruise starring in it. I highly recommend watching this movie.

See more

MISHAPS T

@RT48344533 6 days ago

mid story, godawful character writing - the son just randomly running away as if hes deaf, not listening at all?? I can get behind the girl screaming in terror, shes a little kid. But come on bro. First half is SOMEWHAT ok, the second half is so terrible you kinda wish they all die so its over soon

See more

Daniel L

@Hotchopeppa Sep 5, 2026

The original will always be the best but this is a decent adaptation. Tom Cruise rarely makes a bad movie.

See more

Robert P

@Superbad Sep 4, 2026

Dakota fanning makes the movie unwatchable with her horrid screaming

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Steven Spielberg

Director

Tom Cruise

Ray Ferrier

Dakota Fanning

Rachel Ferrier

Miranda Otto

Mary Ann

Justin Chatwin

Robbie

Tim Robbins

Harlan Ogilvy

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - No Shield

2:13

Now Playing

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Ferry Disaster

2:07

Now Playing

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Probing the Basement

2:13

Now Playing

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - The War Begins

2:11

Now Playing

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Fight on the Hill

2:07

Now Playing

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Taking Down a Tripod

2:00

Now Playing

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Not on the Same Page

2:12

Now Playing

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Abduction

2:13

Now Playing

View more videos

Timeline

13%

45%

Timeline

Watchlist

Sahara

37%

54%

Sahara

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Sahara

Deep Impact

45%

43%

Deep Impact

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Deep Impact

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

19%

57%

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

The Chronicles of Riddick

29%

65%

The Chronicles of Riddick

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

New on Prime Video and Freevee in September 2022

New on Netflix in May 2022

War of the Worlds Might Be Steven Spielberg’s Most Terrifying Film

War of the Worlds: Trailer 2

2:18

Now Playing

War of the Worlds: Trailer 1

1:50

Now Playing

View more videos

View more photos

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)

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings