Zathura

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Zathura

PG

2005

1h 41m

Kids & Family

Adventure

Sci-Fi

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

77%

Tomatometer

159 Reviews

52%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

After their father (Tim Robbins) is called into work, two young boys, Walter (Josh Hutcherson) and Danny (Jonah Bobo), are left in the care of their teenage sister, Lisa (Kristen Stewart), and told they must stay inside. Walter and Danny, who anticipate a boring day, are shocked when they begin playing Zathura, a space-themed board game, which they realize has mystical powers when their house is shot into space. With the help of an astronaut (Dax Shepard), the boys attempt to return home.

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Critics Consensus

Dazzling special effects for the kids + well-crafted storytelling for the 'rents = cinematic satisfaction for the whole family.

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James Dyer

Empire Magazine

12/30/2006

3/5

Charming children's adventure with some superb performances from the young cast.

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David Jenkins

Time Out

06/24/2006

Favreau gratifyingly prevents the film from becoming a mere maelstrom of CG effects by pushing the brothers' amusing bickering to the fore...

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Richard Jinman

Sydney Morning Herald

03/31/2006

Despite its peculiar name and the fact it bears a strong resemblance to Jumanji -- another film inspired by a book by children's author Van Allsburg -- it's hard not to like Zathura.

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Shannon Gramas

Spectrum Culture

04/01/2022

Though many millennials may not have even heard of the film, Zathura is a classic family adventure film that deserves much better than the poor critical reception and box office receipts it received at the time.

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Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

01/24/2022

7/10

A charming small-scale adventure film for kids.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

11/09/2020

7/10

An engaging, family-friendly, fantasy adventure.

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Richard

04/20/2021

Clean fun and a great movie for a family with young siblings to watch together!

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Ricardo D

@RT43154676 Jun 19

Um clássico que remete aos anos 90, embora seja de 2005. Amo o personagem Danny. E embora já tenha 20 anos, para mim não envelheceu mal. Ainda me vejo preso a trama. Os efeitos também não são ultrapassados e ruins, o que mostra como estavam avançados na época. Adoraria ver mais filmes da mesma temática.

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Dexter E

@Dexter007 Jun 1

Zathura is a mind-blowing movie. I first watched it when I was around 15 years old, and it completely changed my perspective on what a space adventure movie could be. The film showcases a thrilling journey filled with aliens, action, suspense, and funny moments, all while keeping things surprisingly realistic. One thing that always amazed me was how the house survived almost everything until the very end. It made me wonder what kind of wood or concrete it was built with! The two brothers go through incredible challenges, facing aliens, a mysterious astronaut from the future, and countless dangers along the way. Everything in this movie felt cool and exciting. There are great adventure films like Jumanji, which are outstanding in their own right, but Zathura delivered a unique space-adventure experience that stood out to me. The visuals, imagination, and sense of adventure made it an unforgettable movie, and even today it remains one of my favorite childhood films. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Ken K

@RT63648969 May 19

This is an outstanding adaptation of Van Allsburg's book. In some ways it is better because the film allows more to be fleshed out. Not only is it cinematically bracing, but it captures the wonder and "Twilight Zone" nature of the author's sensibility. It also has great depth of heart which is unusual for children's films. A rare treat.

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Pedro Henrique C

@Pedro2005 Apr 6

Zathura (2005) It's fun, charming, and very dynamic; it's the kind of movie that will make you feel comfortable and welcome during your relaxation time.

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Jonas N

@jonascarrot Mar 31

its chuck e cheese with more cheese

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Jon Favreau

Director

Josh Hutcherson

Walter Budwing

Jonah Bobo

Danny Budwing

Dax Shepard

Astronaut

Kristen Stewart

Lisa Budwing

Tim Robbins

Dad

Zathura: Official Clip - Meteor Shower

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Zathura: Official Clip - Cryonic Sleeping Sister

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Zathura: Official Clip - Reprogramming the Killer Robot

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Zathura: Official Clip - Chased by Zorgons

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Zathura: Official Clip - Caught Cheating

3:13

Zathura: Official Clip - Wishing Star

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Zathura: Official Clip - The Stranded Astronaut

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Zathura: Official Clip - Time Sphincter

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Synopsis

After their father (Tim Robbins) is called into work, two young boys, Walter (Josh Hutcherson) and Danny (Jonah Bobo), are left in the care of their teenage sister, Lisa (Kristen Stewart), and told they must stay inside. Walter and Danny, who anticipate a boring day, are shocked when they begin playing Zathura, a space-themed board game, which they realize has mystical powers when their house is shot into space. With the help of an astronaut (Dax Shepard), the boys attempt to return home.

Director: Jon Favreau
Producer: William Teitler, Scott Kroopf, Michael De Luca
Screenwriter: David Koepp, John Kamps
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Columbia Pictures
Rating: PG (Peril|Fantasy Action|Some Language)
Genre: Kids & Family, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 11, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $28.0M
Runtime: 1h 41m
Sound Mix: Surround