The Day the Earth Stood Still

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The Day the Earth Stood Still

G

1951

1h 32m

Sci-Fi

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Popcornmeter

92%

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112 Reviews

87%

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25,000+ Ratings

When a UFO lands in Washington, D.C., bearing a message for Earth's leaders, all of humanity stands still. Klaatu has come on behalf of alien life who have been watching Cold War-era nuclear proliferation on Earth. But it is Klaatu's soft-spoken robot Gort that presents a more immediate threat to onlookers. A single mother and her son teach the world about peace and tolerance in this moral fable, ousting the tanks and soldiers that greet the alien's arrival.

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Critics Consensus

Socially minded yet entertaining, The Day the Earth Stood Still imparts its moral of peace and understanding without didacticism.

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Jack Karr

Toronto Star

Jan 16

Like other pictures of its type, The Day the Earth Stood Still puts quite a strain on credulity... but it has its fascination nonetheless.

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William Hogan

San Francisco Chronicle

Jan 16

Rennie, who portrays a missing superhuman, actually is a well-balanced human type with powers far superior to any possessed by earth men.

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Mildred Martin

Philadelphia Inquirer

Jan 16

Well directed by Robert Wise, sensibly played by Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Billy Gray, Sam Jaffe and Hugh Marlow, The Day the Earth Stood Still is more believable than most of these shiver science shockers.

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Joshua Tyler

Giant Freakin Robot

Jun 23

The movie’s only reason for existing is to convince Americans to give up their autonomy to a higher, collectivist power.

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Province Staff

The Province (Vancouver)

Apr 14

Weirdness and excitement are employed by director Robert Wise to make his audience feel as well as see the frightening pandemonium that grips the world.

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Mel Hayes

Toledo Blade

Jan 16

Although some persons, no doubt, will feel the fantasy is a bit too fantastic for their tastes, many will find it gives their blood pressure just the proper pick-up.

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Ivan W

@Washpangold Mar 1

My favorite science fiction film. Great story and acting. The special effects are dated, but the film has great integrity. The message is put across well. The later remake has much better effects but has not got the character of this original. Plenty of suspense and action that moves along and shows up mankind's arrogance towards other life!

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B B

@RT12001991 Dec 1

My all time favorite movie. That sums it up...

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john b

@RT57721896 Sep 12

One of my favorites. It's message of world peace still applies. Even though the giant robot never speaks, he is terrifying.

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Eye C

@ECinc Aug 19

A sci-fi classic from the 50s, I really enjoy this movie, and having the opportunity to watch it in the big screen is great.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jul 7

Success in 1 hour and 32 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Nancy L

@RT88923248 04/25/2025

Wonderful movie, and my all time favorite. Watched it when I was 12 or 13, and memorized the message from Klaatu, as I could possibly help save earth from destruction. Klaatu barada nikto. Absolutely recommend this movie, skip the remake. Pop some popcorn and enjoy.

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Synopsis

When a UFO lands in Washington, D.C., bearing a message for Earth's leaders, all of humanity stands still. Klaatu has come on behalf of alien life who have been watching Cold War-era nuclear proliferation on Earth. But it is Klaatu's soft-spoken robot Gort that presents a more immediate threat to onlookers. A single mother and her son teach the world about peace and tolerance in this moral fable, ousting the tanks and soldiers that greet the alien's arrival.

Director: Robert Wise
Producer: Julian Blaustein
Screenwriter: Harry Bates, Edmund H. North
Distributor: CBS/Fox, 20th Century Fox, Fox
Production Co: 20th Century Fox
Rating: G
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 18, 1951, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 18, 2012
Runtime: 1h 32m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Flat (1.37:1)