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The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 3,600

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Movie Info

The screen's great existential science fiction film, The Incredible Shrinking Man stars Grant Williams in the title role. While catching some rays on his brother's yacht, Scott Carey (Williams) is enveloped by a mysterious dark cloud. Soon after, he discovers that he's getting thinner -- and smaller. Despite the assuring attitude of his family doctor (the inevitable William Schallert), Scott is losing an inch's worth of height with each passing day. It is finally determined that he has developed

Unrated,

Science Fiction & Fantasy, Horror

May 13, 2008

MCA Universal Home Video

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All Critics (18) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (15) | Rotten (2) | DVD (2)

A moving, strangely pantheist assertion of what it really means to be alive. A pulp masterpiece.

June 24, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out
Time Out
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Unless a viewer is addicted to freakish ironies, the unlikely spectacle of Mr. Williams losing an inch of height each week will become tiresome before Universal has emptied its lab of science-fiction clichés.

March 25, 2006 Full Review Source: New York Times | Comments (2)
New York Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

The surreal intensity of outsize objects that loom as the hero shrinks is handled effectively, and the mystical happy ending is a better payoff than one would expect of the genre.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader
Chicago Reader
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Earns its ponderous tone, and the final moments are as fitting as they are unexpected.

October 28, 2011 Full Review Source: Suite101.com
Suite101.com

Notable for its relatively intelligent script, for some imaginatively amusing special effects, and for an existential streak which finally has our (tiny) hero pondering the meaning of existence.

June 6, 2007 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Surprisingly provocative 50's sci-fi that goes beyond the thrilling spider battle

April 6, 2007

A pulp gem.

May 4, 2006 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

One of the landmark sci-fi efforts of the 1950s

October 1, 2004
Lawrence Journal-World

One of the best s-f flicks of the 1950s. A tragic story that is exciting and touching.

June 26, 2003
Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

Sparse direction allows the tension to build naturally so that the terror and poignancy of the story work their way into the audience's brain without being forced. A total classic.

May 24, 2003 Full Review Source: Film4
Film4

Clever, but pretentious

July 30, 2002
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

All-time sci-fi classic.

July 25, 2002
eFilmCritic.com

The special effects and trick photography are cleverly done (for its time). Also, the story is intelligently handled.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Sci-Fi Movie Page
Sci-Fi Movie Page

Audience Reviews for The Incredible Shrinking Man

The rare sci-fi that is able to overcome its B-movie sensibilities and become an engaging drama and a study of everything from sexism and sexual frustration to a view of an American family during the Cold War years to finally end up pondering over the meaning of the universe. Heavy stuff for such a small protagonist.
October 23, 2011
Matheus Carvalho

Super Reviewer

Another of my favourite sci-fi movies of the fifties. This movie is great not just because of the cool special effects, the story is fantastic. At first it seems a bit silly because the idea is that he shrinks after being exposed to atomic bomb mist or something, but after that it has elements of a romantic drama, horror, and in the end really makes you think about life on Earth. I highly recommend this movie.
September 5, 2010
ajv2688

Super Reviewer

    1. Scott Carey: To God, there is no zero. I still exist.
    – Submitted by Chris P (2 years ago)

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Latest News on The Incredible Shrinking Man

February 13, 2013:
MGM Plans Shrinking Man Remake
Author Richard Matheson, who wrote the 1956 novel, is working on the screenplay with his son.

December 30, 2009:
National Film Registry Adds 2009 Selections
The National Film Registry has named its latest additions, including "The Incredible Shrinking Man,"...

April 18, 2008:
Brett Ratner, Incredible Shrinking Director
Brett Ratner is in talks to direct an Eddie Murphy-led remake of The Incredible Shrinking Man.

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