War of the Worlds (2005)
Steven Spielberg's relentless sci-fi thriller follows a flawed father racing to save his children as alien machines lay waste to civilization.
War of the Worlds - Movie Information
- Original Title: War of the Worlds
- Release Year: 2005
- Directed by: Steven Spielberg
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Adventure, Thriller, Sci-Fi
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 1h 57m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 28, 2005 (KW), June 29, 2005 (United States - PG-13), June 29, 2005 (Canada - 14A), July 1, 2005 (United Kingdom - 12A), June 29, 2005 (Germany - 12), July 6, 2005 (France - U), July 1, 2005 (India - UA), June 29, 2005 (New Zealand - M), June 29, 2005 (Australia - M), June 29, 2005 (Brazil - 12), June 29, 2005 (Mexico - B), June 29, 2005 (Italy - T), June 29, 2005 (Spain - 16), July 7, 2005 (South Korea - 12), August 11, 2005 (China)
- Alternative Titles: 宇宙戦争 (JP), 世界大战 (CN), 強戰世界 (HK), Война миров (RU), جنگ جهانها (IR), La guerra de los mundos (ES), 強戰世界 (TW), Planetary War (IN)
- Production Companies: Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, Cruise/Wagner Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
War of the Worlds - Plot
Ray Ferrier is a divorced dockworker and less-than-perfect father. Soon after his ex-wife and her new husband drop off his teenage son and young daughter for a rare weekend visit, a strange and powerful lightning storm touches down.
War of the Worlds - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the alien terror unfold:
They're already here.
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War of the Worlds - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Steven Spielberg
Main Cast
- Tom Cruise
- Dakota Fanning
- Justin Chatwin
- Miranda Otto
- Tim Robbins
- Rick Gonzalez
- Yul Vazquez
- Lenny Venito
- Lisa Ann Walter
- Ann Robinson
Writers
- David Koepp
- Josh Friedman
Producers
- Kathleen Kennedy
- Colin Wilson
War of the Worlds - FAQs
Where can you stream War of the Worlds (2005)?
War of the Worlds (2005) is available to stream on Starz, Paramount+, and Philo. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Check JustWatch for the most current availability in your region.
Is War of the Worlds based on a true story?
No, War of the Worlds is not based on a true story. It is adapted from H.G. Wells' 1898 science fiction novel of the same name. The story is entirely fictional, though it has been interpreted as an allegory for colonialism, imperialism, and humanity's vulnerability in the face of superior forces.
Who are the main actors in War of the Worlds?
The film stars Tom Cruise as Ray Ferrier, a divorced dockworker, and Dakota Fanning as his young daughter Rachel. Justin Chatwin plays his teenage son Robbie, Miranda Otto portrays his ex-wife Mary-Ann, and Tim Robbins appears as the unsettling survivalist Harlan Ogilvy.
What is the age rating for War of the Worlds?
War of the Worlds (2005) is rated PG-13 in the United States. The rating reflects intense sequences of sci-fi violence and terror, frightening alien imagery, and some language. Parents should be aware that certain scenes may be too intense for younger children.
Did War of the Worlds win any awards?
War of the Worlds (2005) was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Visual Effects. It won the Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film and received additional nominations for its visual effects and technical achievements from various industry organizations.
How long is War of the Worlds (2005)?
War of the Worlds (2005) has a runtime of 1 hour and 57 minutes (117 minutes). Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film maintains a relentless pace throughout, keeping audiences on edge from the first alien emergence to the film's climactic conclusion.
What does the ending of War of the Worlds mean?
The aliens are ultimately defeated not by human weapons but by Earth's bacteria, to which they have no immunity — mirroring H.G. Wells' original novel. The ending underscores humanity's helplessness against the invaders while suggesting that nature itself provided the salvation no military force could achieve.
How was War of the Worlds received by critics?
War of the Worlds (2005) was broadly praised by critics, earning a 75% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviewers lauded Spielberg's tense direction, Janusz Kaminski's visceral cinematography, and Tom Cruise's grounded performance, though some found the ending abrupt. It grossed over $603 million worldwide on a $132 million budget.
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