Mortal Engines (2018)
A spectacular post-apocalyptic adventure where cities devour cities and one unlikely encounter sparks a revolution.
Mortal Engines - Movie Information
- Original Title: Mortal Engines
- Release Year: 2018
- Directed by: Christian Rivers
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Adventure, Sci-Fi
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 2h 8m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 27, 2018 (Belgium - 14), December 14, 2018 (United States - PG-13), December 8, 2018 (United Kingdom - 12A), December 13, 2018 (Germany - 12), December 12, 2018 (France - TP), December 6, 2018 (New Zealand - M), December 6, 2018 (Australia - M), January 10, 2019 (Brazil - 14), January 1, 2019 (Mexico - B), December 13, 2018 (Italy - T), December 14, 2018 (Spain - 12), December 5, 2018 (South Korea - 12), January 18, 2019 (China)
- Alternative Titles: Mortal Engines (ES), Mécanique fatale (CA), Смертні машини (UA), Mortal Engines (US), Máquinas Mortais (BR), Mortal Engines: Krieg der Städte (DE), 移动城市：致命引擎 (HK)
- Production Companies: Scholastic Productions, Silvertongue Films, Universal Pictures, WingNut Films, MRC
- Production Countries: New Zealand, United States of America
Mortal Engines - Plot
Many thousands of years in the future, Earth's cities roam the globe on huge wheels, devouring each other in a struggle for ever diminishing resources. On one of these massive traction cities, the old London, Tom Natsworthy has an unexpected encounter with a mysterious young woman from the wastelands who will change the course of his life forever.
Mortal Engines - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the roaming cities of the future come to life:
Some scars never heal
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Mortal Engines - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Christian Rivers
Main Cast
- Hera Hilmar
- Robert Sheehan
- Hugo Weaving
- Jihae
- Ronan Raftery
- Leila George
- Patrick Malahide
- Stephen Lang
- Colin Salmon
- Mark Mitchinson
Writers
- Peter Jackson
- Fran Walsh
- Philippa Boyens
Producers
- Fran Walsh
- Zane Weiner
- Peter Jackson
- Deborah Forte
- Amanda Walker
Mortal Engines - FAQs
What is Mortal Engines about?
Mortal Engines is set in a distant future where entire cities roll across a barren Earth on massive wheels, consuming smaller towns for resources. When young historian Tom Natsworthy crosses paths with the scarred and vengeful Hester Shaw, the two are thrust into a dangerous journey that could reshape their world.
Is Mortal Engines based on a book?
Yes! The film adapts Philip Reeve's 2001 novel of the same name, the first book in his Mortal Engines Quartet. The screenplay was written by Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens — the same trio behind The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Where can you stream Mortal Engines?
You can rent or buy Mortal Engines on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It's also available to watch for free with ads on YouTube Free, so there are plenty of ways to catch it.
Why did Mortal Engines flop at the box office?
Mortal Engines earned roughly $84 million worldwide against a $100 million production budget — a significant shortfall once marketing costs are factored in. Critics pointed to a formulaic story and underdeveloped characters, while audiences were slow to embrace the unfamiliar world-building despite its spectacular visuals.
Who are the main actors in Mortal Engines?
The film stars Hera Hilmar as the fierce Hester Shaw and Robert Sheehan as the idealistic Tom Natsworthy. Hugo Weaving plays the charismatic villain Thaddeus Valentine, with Jihae, Stephen Lang, Leila George, and Colin Salmon rounding out a strong supporting cast.
Is Hester Shaw's scar accurate to the book?
In Philip Reeve's novel, Hester Shaw's facial disfigurement is described as far more severe than what appears on screen. The filmmakers made a deliberate choice to tone it down for the adaptation, a decision that drew some criticism from fans of the source material who felt it softened a defining aspect of her character.
Who directed Mortal Engines?
Mortal Engines was directed by Christian Rivers, a longtime collaborator of Peter Jackson. It marked Rivers' feature directorial debut after years working as a visual effects and storyboard artist on Jackson's productions, including King Kong and The Lord of the Rings films.
Where was Mortal Engines filmed?
Principal photography took place primarily in New Zealand, with much of the production based at Weta Workshop's facilities in Wellington. The country's diverse landscapes and world-class VFX infrastructure made it an ideal home for the film's ambitious post-apocalyptic world.
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