The Terminal (2004)
Steven Spielberg's heartwarming comedy-drama starring Tom Hanks as a man who turns an airport into his unlikely home.
The Terminal - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Terminal
- Release Year: 2004
- Directed by: Steven Spielberg
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Drama
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 2h 8m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: Bulgarian, English, French, Russian, Spanish
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 17, 2004 (Australia - PG), June 17, 2004 (United States - PG-13), June 25, 2004 (Canada - G), September 3, 2004 (United Kingdom - 12A), October 7, 2004 (Germany - 0), September 15, 2004 (France - TP), September 3, 2004 (India), September 9, 2004 (New Zealand), September 10, 2004 (Brazil - 12), September 24, 2004 (Mexico), September 3, 2004 (Italy - T), September 10, 2004 (Spain - APTA), August 27, 2004 (South Korea - ALL), January 14, 2005 (China)
- Alternative Titles: Terminal de Aeroporto (PT), Otogar (AZ), 터미널 (KR), 機場客運站 (HK), Steven Spielberg's The Terminal (US)
- Production Companies: DreamWorks Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, Parkes+MacDonald Production
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Terminal - Plot
An Eastern European tourist unexpectedly finds himself stranded in JFK airport, and must take up temporary residence there.
The Terminal - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a first look at Viktor Navorski's extraordinary airport odyssey.
Life is waiting.
Where to Watch The Terminal
Looking for where to watch The Terminal?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
The Terminal - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Steven Spielberg
Main Cast
- Tom Hanks
- Catherine Zeta-Jones
- Stanley Tucci
- Chi McBride
- Diego Luna
- Barry Shabaka Henley
- Kumar Pallana
- Zoe Saldaña
- Eddie Jones
- Jude Ciccolella
Writers
- Sacha Gervasi
- Jeff Nathanson
- Andrew Niccol
Producers
- Steven Spielberg
- Laurie MacDonald
- Walter F. Parkes
The Terminal - FAQs
Is The Terminal based on a true story?
Yes, The Terminal was loosely inspired by the real-life story of Mehran Karimi Nasseri, an Iranian refugee who lived in Terminal 1 of Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport from 1988 to 2006. Spielberg and his screenwriters adapted the premise into a fictional story set at JFK Airport in New York.
Where can I stream The Terminal?
The Terminal is available to stream on Paramount Plus (including Paramount Plus Premium, Essential, Amazon Channel, and Roku Premium Channel) and fuboTV. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Kanopy offers it for free.
Who are the main actors in The Terminal?
The Terminal stars Tom Hanks as Viktor Navorski, an Eastern European man stranded at JFK Airport. Catherine Zeta-Jones plays flight attendant Amelia Warren, and Stanley Tucci portrays the antagonistic airport security chief Frank Dixon. Supporting cast includes Chi McBride, Diego Luna, and Zoe Saldaña.
What is The Terminal about?
The Terminal follows Viktor Navorski, a man from the fictional Eastern European nation of Krakozhia, who arrives at JFK Airport only to find his country has undergone a coup, rendering his passport invalid. Unable to enter the US or return home, he must live indefinitely inside the airport terminal.
What is the age rating for The Terminal?
The Terminal is rated PG-13 in the United States by the MPA. The rating reflects some mild language and thematic elements, making it broadly suitable for teenagers and adults. In other territories it received similarly mild ratings, including PG in Australia, 12A in the United Kingdom, and G in Canada.
Who directed The Terminal and who composed the score?
The Terminal was directed by Steven Spielberg, one of Hollywood's most celebrated filmmakers. The film's score was composed by John Williams, Spielberg's longtime musical collaborator. Janusz Kamiński served as director of photography, and Michael Kahn edited the film — both frequent Spielberg collaborators.
How long is The Terminal?
The Terminal has a runtime of 2 hours and 8 minutes (128 minutes). Directed by Steven Spielberg and released in 2004, the film balances its comedic and dramatic elements across its running time, giving Tom Hanks ample space to develop the warm, nuanced character of Viktor Navorski.
What movies are similar to The Terminal?
If you enjoyed The Terminal, you might also like Catch Me If You Can (2002), another Spielberg and Hanks collaboration blending charm with drama, Cast Away (2000), which similarly explores isolation and resilience, and The Goat Life (2024). Road to Perdition and The Illusionist also share tonal similarities.
More About The Terminal
Explore further details, credits, and data for The Terminal on these authoritative resources.