The Impossible

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The Impossible

PG-13

2012

1h 54m

Drama

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

81%

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197 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

A couple and their three sons encounter terror, courage and compassion following the December 2004 tsunami that devastated Thailand.

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Critics Consensus

The screenplay isn't quite as powerful as the direction or the acting, but with such an astonishing real-life story at its center, The Impossible is never less than compelling.

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Shubhra Gupta

The Indian Express

Mar 21, 2019

4/5

[The Impossible] shows us devastation, yes, unbelievable havoc, yes, horrific human loss, yes. But also, exemplary courage and love and compassion, all done with freshness and feeling.

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Larushka Ivan-Zadeh

metro.co.uk

Sep 1, 2017

4/5

A heart-wrenchingly tense survival drama based on 'an incredible true story' of a far more 'homely' looking Spanish family, this is a cut above 1990s eco-disaster movies such as Dante's Peak.

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David Denby

The New Yorker

Jan 28, 2013

Alas, the movie tells a rather commonplace story.

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Joe Lipsett

Murder Made Fiction Podcast - Bloody Disgusting

Nov 11, 2025

4/5

Bayona's devastatingly visceral film is an emotional gut-punch. While accusations of white washing the tragedy are relevant, the focus on a single five person family all surviving the tsunami is undeniably compelling.

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Anushka Halve

Film Companion

Dec 11, 2023

This isn't a narrative of a larger-than-life hero swooping in to save the day; rather, it's a testament to the combined efforts of ordinary individuals, bound by humanity, who become heroes in the crucible of disaster.

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Sep 4, 2023

4/5

What one single movie can do is give at least one true story profound respect and realism. Most importantly, what the beauty of any movie can do is remind us all of the hope and survival that rises from the depths of tragedy and loss.

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Mickey B

@Mickerdoo 3 days ago

Terrifying natural disaster story. Makes you grateful for the safety and family that you enjoy. Dropped a couple tears. Holland and Watts!

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Parveen W

@RT56011453 Aug 5, 2026

Incredible movie. I’ve watched it several times and I cry every time

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Slick R

@SlickReviewer Aug 2, 2026

I went to Thailand on vacation a few years after the tsunami and many parts of Phuket were still in ruins. This movie showed the brutality of the water and gave me insight about how bad it was.

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CJ O

@Cjoneill1 Jul 25, 2026

Best acting by all casts. Tom did an insane Job should of gotten all the awards amazing acting

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Debi M.

@RT70254073 Jun 25, 2026

A true story disaster movie. I'll never forget this tsunami in real life.

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Tiffski

Mar 19, 2026

So so moving… it was a terrible disaster but this was a good movie.

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J. A. Bayona

Director

Naomi Watts

Maria

Ewan McGregor

Henry

Tom Holland

Lucas

Samuel Joslin

Thomas

Oaklee Pendergast

Simon

The Impossible: Official Clip - Thank You

2:27

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The Impossible: Official Clip - Is it Over?

2:59

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The Impossible: Official Clip - What's Your Name?

2:35

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The Impossible: Official Clip - You Came Back

2:40

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The Impossible: Official Clip - Calling Home

2:45

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The Impossible: Official Clip - The Tsunami

2:38

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The Impossible: Official Clip - Maria's Ordeal

2:55

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The Impossible: Official Clip - It's Going to Be Okay

2:45

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The Impossible: Official Clip - A Beautiful Mystery

2:19

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The Impossible: Official Clip - Reunited

2:12

Now Playing

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Synopsis

A couple and their three sons encounter terror, courage and compassion following the December 2004 tsunami that devastated Thailand.

Director: J. A. Bayona
Producer: Belén Atienza, Álvaro Augustin, Ghislain Barrois, Enrique López Lavigne
Screenwriter: Sergio G. Sánchez
Distributor: Summit Entertainment
Production Co: Institut Valencià de Cinematografia, Apaches Entertainment, Instituto de la Cinematografía y de las Artes Audiovisuales (ICAA), Summit Entertainment, VS Service, Canal+ España, Telecinco Cinema, Mediaset España
Rating: PG-13 (Disturbing Injury Images|Brief Nudity|Intense Realistic Disaster Seq)
Genre: Drama, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 21, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 7, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $19.0M
Runtime: 1h 54m

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