What to know

critics consensus

The Terminal transcends its flaws through the sheer virtue of its crowd-pleasing message and a typically solid star turn from Tom Hanks. Read critic reviews

You might also like

Where to watch

Show all services

Rate And Review

User image

Verified

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Rate this movie

    Oof, that was Rotten.

    Meh, it passed the time.

    It’s good – I’d recommend it.

    Awesome!

    So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

    What did you think of the movie? (optional)

  • You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Step 2 of 2

    How did you buy your ticket?

    Let's get your review verified.

    • Fandango

    • AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew

    • Cinemark Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Regal Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Theater box office or somewhere else

    By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.

    You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Rate this movie

    Oof, that was Rotten.

    Meh, it passed the time.

    It’s good – I’d recommend it.

    Awesome!

    So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

    What did you think of the movie? (optional)

  • How did you buy your ticket?

    • Fandango

    • AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew

    • Cinemark Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Regal Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Theater box office or somewhere else

    By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.

The Terminal Videos

View All Videos (1)

The Terminal Photos

View All Photos (66)

Movie Info

When Viktor Navorski (Tom Hanks), an Eastern European tourist, arrives at JFK in New York, war breaks out in his country and he finds himself caught up in international politics. Because of the war, the Department of Homeland Security won't let him enter or exit the United States. He's trapped at JFK -- indefinitely. While living at the airport, Viktor falls for a flight attendant (Catherine Zeta-Jones). She may have feelings for him too. But what good is love if Viktor can't leave the terminal?
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (Drug Reference|Brief Language)
  • Genre:
    drama, comedy
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Steven Spielberg
  • Producer:
    Laurie MacDonald, Walter F. Parkes
  • Writer:
    Sacha Gervasi, Jeff Nathanson
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $77.0M
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Amblin Entertainment, DreamWorks SKG
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Flat (1.85:1)

Cast & Crew

Tom Hanks
Viktor Navorski
Catherine Zeta-Jones
Amelia Warren
Stanley Tucci
Frank Dixon
Chi McBride
Joe Mulroy
Diego Luna
Enrique Cruz
Barry Shabaka Henley
Ray Thurman
Kumar Pallana
Gupta
Eddie Jones
Salchak
Jude Ciccolella
Karl Iverson
Corey Reynolds
Waylin
Steven Spielberg
Director
Laurie MacDonald
Producer
Andrew Niccol
Executive Producer
Walter F. Parkes
Producer
Sacha Gervasi
Screenwriter
Jeff Nathanson
Screenwriter
John Williams
Original Music
Janusz Kaminski
Casting
Michael Kahn
Film Editor
Alex McDowell
Production Designer
Show all Cast & Crew

News & Interviews for The Terminal

Critical Consensus: Woo-Hoo! Simpsons Is Certified Fresh; No Reservations Is Bland; Rescue Dawn Shines
The Weekly Ketchup: George Lucas And Mark Hamill Re-team, "Alien Vs. Predator 2" Pics, "Spider-Man 3" Breaks The Bank, And More!
Critical Consensus: "Apocalypto" Is Bloody Good; "Blood Diamond" Needs Polish; "Unaccompanied" Is Minor; "Holiday" Is So-So
View All

Critic Reviews for The Terminal

All Critics (207) | Top Critics (55) | Fresh (126) | Rotten (81)

View All Critic Reviews (207)

Audience Reviews for The Terminal

  • Jan 31, 2014
    The Terminal is a completely charming look at one foreign man's unfortunate situation, stuck in an airport without a country. It's a little unbelievable but a good setting nonetheless for this comedic fish-out-of-water slice of life. Tom Hanks plays Viktor so effortlessly; the character reminds me of Andy Kaufman's "foreign man, "but Viktor's more believable. Catherine Zeta-Jones is gorgeous as always but more vulnerable here. I fell in love with her. The whole supporting cast is good; I liked the unexpected moments best, like the Indian janitor juggling during Viktor and Amelia's date. This Spielberg-directed picture may not be Philadelphia or Schindler's List, but I enjoyed it much more than most romantic comedies. It's the sweetest story I've seen in some time, though I do wish for a better ending for Amelia (Jones). The moral is something like: Some things are worth waiting for. It's a little sappy melodramatic, but you'll feel good after anyway.
    Clintus M Super Reviewer
  • Feb 14, 2013
    While The Terminal is an enjoyable Spielberg movie, it might be his most flawed. The film had good wholesome comedy, represented primary in the first twenty minutes. The drama in it withdrawed pity but not much sadness. While Tom Hanks offered a reasonable performance, I'm not sure if he'd be best fit. I think someone more European looking like Spacey would be the right guy for the job.The most dramatic flaw in this though was a huge lack of focus. It would leave a topic for forty minutes, then come back to it almost as if it was still going on. It didn't have anything central, or even, it would hop around un-evenly. So overall it's decent, but had much more potential.
    Daniel D Super Reviewer
  • Dec 20, 2011
    At first I found this to be a very bizaar film for Spielberg to direct. I wasn't dissapointed however. The Terminal; is a very heartwarming, cleverly written and interesting film for everyone to watch. It showcases another one of Tom Hanks best perfomances and his third collaboration with Spielberg. Com to think of it, this may of been based on a true story about some foreigner who did get stuck in the New York Airport.
    Luke E Super Reviewer
  • Dec 02, 2011
    The Terminal is a film I call a comedic masterpiece, and I realize I am in a huge minority when saying that. I have never seen a movie as sweet and funny as this, it was just a perfect mix of great jokes and sweet moments. The premise interested me, and when I finally saw this I realize that Spielberg has made the perfect blend pf drama and comedy. I guess I am a sucker, because the climax of the movie made me tear up a bit because it was so sweet and innocent, and Spielberg has made a winner again. Tom Hanks is extremely lovable and great and even his accent he gives is just funny because it makes Hanks look like innocent figure like in Forrest Gump. The entire cast is memorable including Stanley Tucci who plays one of the finest roles of his career. The Terminal is a perfect film in my view, you may disagree but I fell under the Spielberg spell that his movies cast just so incredibly well, and has made this one of my all time favorite comedies.
    Bradley W Super Reviewer
See all Audience reviews

The Terminal Quotes

View All Quotes

Movie & TV guides