The Ring (2002)
Gore Verbinski's landmark American horror remake that turned a cursed videotape into one of cinema's most enduring nightmares.
The Ring - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Ring
- Release Year: 2002
- Directed by: Gore Verbinski
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Horror, Mystery
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 1h 55m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 18, 2002 (Canada - 14A), October 18, 2002 (United States - PG-13), February 21, 2003 (United Kingdom - 15), February 13, 2003 (Germany - 16), February 5, 2003 (France - 12), February 7, 2003 (India - A), March 6, 2003 (New Zealand - R16), November 14, 2002 (Australia - MA15+), January 31, 2003 (Brazil - 14), December 6, 2002 (Mexico - B), February 21, 2003 (Italy - T), January 10, 2003 (Spain - 18), January 10, 2003 (South Korea - 15)
- Alternative Titles: La llamada (AR), Za ringu (JP), The Ring - Das Grauen schläft nie (DE), Le Cercle (FR), Ring (US), Síma kindýnou (GR), Krug (RS), Zvonok (RU)
- Production Companies: DreamWorks Pictures, BenderSpink, Parkes+MacDonald Production
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Ring - Plot
Rachel Keller is a journalist investigating a videotape that may have killed four teenagers. There is an urban legend about this tape: the viewer will die seven days after watching it. Rachel tracks down the video... and watches it. Now she has just seven days to unravel the mystery of the Ring so she can save herself and her son.
The Ring - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see what awaits those who dare to press play.
Before you die, you see
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The Ring - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Gore Verbinski
Main Cast
- Naomi Watts
- Martin Henderson
- David Dorfman
- Brian Cox
- Jane Alexander
- Lindsay Frost
- Amber Tamblyn
- Rachael Bella
- Daveigh Chase
- Shannon Cochran
Writers
- Ehren Kruger
- Hiroshi Takahashi
Producers
- Laurie MacDonald
- Walter F. Parkes
The Ring - FAQs
What happens if you watch the cursed tape in The Ring?
According to the film's central premise, anyone who watches the mysterious videotape receives a phone call immediately afterward and is told they will die in exactly seven days. The curse drives the entire plot as journalist Rachel Keller races to unravel the tape's dark origins before her time runs out.
Is The Ring based on a true story?
The Ring is not based on a true story. It is a remake of the 1998 Japanese horror film Ringu, itself adapted from Koji Suzuki's 1991 novel of the same name. The story is entirely fictional, though it draws on Japanese folklore surrounding vengeful spirits known as onryō.
Who are the main actors in The Ring?
Naomi Watts leads the cast as investigative journalist Rachel Keller, with Martin Henderson playing her ex-partner Noah Clay and David Dorfman as Rachel's eerily perceptive son Aidan. Brian Cox, Jane Alexander, Amber Tamblyn, and Daveigh Chase as the terrifying Samara Morgan round out the key performances.
What is the ending of The Ring explained?
Rachel discovers that copying and passing on the cursed tape is the only way to survive. After Noah is killed by Samara despite seemingly breaking the curse, Rachel realizes the tape must be duplicated and shown to someone else. The film ends on a deeply unsettling moral note, as the cycle of death continues indefinitely.
Where can you stream The Ring online?
You can stream The Ring on Paramount Plus Essential and the Criterion Channel. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. If you prefer free options, both Kanopy and Hoopla offer it at no cost.
Is The Ring a remake of a Japanese film?
Yes, The Ring is an American remake of Hideo Nakata's acclaimed 1998 Japanese horror film Ringu. Screenwriter Ehren Kruger adapted the story for Western audiences while retaining the core mythology of the cursed videotape. The original Japanese film was itself based on Koji Suzuki's bestselling 1991 novel.
How long is The Ring and what is its age rating?
The Ring runs for 1 hour and 55 minutes and carries a PG-13 rating in the United States, making it one of the more accessible mainstream horror films of its era. Different countries assigned varying ratings, including a 15 certificate in the UK and a 16 rating in Germany.
What are movies similar to The Ring?
If The Ring left you wanting more atmospheric supernatural horror, check out Sinister (2012) for a similarly dread-soaked mystery, Incantation (2022) for a found-footage curse narrative, or Lake Mungo (2009) for quiet, deeply unsettling ghost storytelling. The Medium (2021) and Pulse (2001) also capture that creeping sense of dread.
More About The Ring
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