John Carter (2012)
A Civil War soldier lands on Mars and discovers a world at war — and the extraordinary power to change its fate.
John Carter - Movie Information
- Original Title: John Carter
- Release Year: 2012
- Directed by: Andrew Stanton
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 2h 12m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 7, 2012 (Belgium - 14), March 9, 2012 (United States - PG-13), March 9, 2012 (Canada), March 9, 2012 (United Kingdom - 12A), March 8, 2012 (Germany - 12), March 7, 2012 (France - TP), March 9, 2012 (India), March 8, 2012 (New Zealand - PG), March 8, 2012 (Australia - M), March 9, 2012 (Brazil - 12), March 9, 2012 (Mexico), March 7, 2012 (Italy - T), March 9, 2012 (Spain - 7), March 8, 2012 (South Korea - 12), March 16, 2012 (China)
- Alternative Titles: A Princess of Mars (US), John Carter: Entre dos mundos (BO), 존 카터: 바숨전쟁의 서막 (KR), John Carter: Người Hùng Sao Hỏa (VN), 異星爭霸戰 尊卡特傳奇 (HK)
- Production Companies: Walt Disney Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
John Carter - Plot
John Carter is a war-weary, former military captain who's inexplicably transported to the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars) and reluctantly becomes embroiled in an epic conflict. It's a world on the brink of collapse, and Carter rediscovers his humanity when he realizes the survival of Barsoom and its people rests in his hands.
John Carter - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the world of Barsoom come to life:
Lost in our world, found in another.
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John Carter - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Andrew Stanton
Main Cast
- Taylor Kitsch
- Lynn Collins
- Samantha Morton
- Mark Strong
- Ciarán Hinds
- Dominic West
- James Purefoy
- Willem Dafoe
- Thomas Haden Church
- Bryan Cranston
Writers
- Andrew Stanton
- Mark Andrews
- Michael Chabon
Producers
- Lindsey Collins
- Jim Morris
- Colin Wilson
John Carter - FAQs
What is John Carter about?
John Carter follows a Civil War veteran who is mysteriously transported to Mars — called Barsoom by its inhabitants — where he discovers superhuman strength and gets pulled into a planet-wide war. Critics praised its sweeping adventure spirit and imaginative world-building, rooted in Edgar Rice Burroughs' foundational sci-fi novels.
Is John Carter based on a book?
Yes! John Carter is adapted from A Princess of Mars, the 1912 novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs — one of the earliest and most influential works of science fiction. Burroughs' Barsoom series inspired generations of sci-fi creators, from Flash Gordon to Star Wars, making this story a true cornerstone of the genre.
Where can you stream John Carter?
You can stream John Carter on Disney Plus. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home — so there are plenty of ways to catch it.
Why did John Carter flop at the box office?
John Carter had a production budget of around $264 million and earned roughly $284 million worldwide — a significant shortfall once marketing costs were factored in. Disney took a reported $200 million write-down. A confusing marketing campaign, a last-minute title change, and poor audience awareness are widely cited as the main culprits.
Who are the main actors in John Carter?
Taylor Kitsch leads the cast as John Carter, alongside Lynn Collins as the brilliant princess Dejah Thoris. The film also features Willem Dafoe, Mark Strong, Dominic West, Samantha Morton, Bryan Cranston, James Purefoy, Thomas Haden Church, and Ciarán Hinds — a remarkably deep ensemble.
Is John Carter worth watching today?
Absolutely worth a look. John Carter holds a 51% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes but a much stronger 60% audience score, and many viewers who revisit it find it a genuinely fun, visually inventive adventure. Its reputation has improved considerably since its troubled theatrical run in 2012.
Did John Carter influence other sci-fi films?
Hugely so — though indirectly. The source novel predates and inspired Star Wars, Avatar, and countless other sci-fi epics. Many elements that feel familiar in John Carter (alien worlds, exotic civilizations, a fish-out-of-water hero) were actually pioneered by Burroughs' original stories a century before those blockbusters existed.
Who composed the music for John Carter?
The score was composed by Michael Giacchino, the Oscar-winning composer behind Up, Ratatouille, and the Star Trek reboot series. His sweeping, adventurous soundtrack is one of the film's most consistently praised elements, lending the Martian landscapes a genuine sense of grandeur and emotional weight.
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