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Across the Universe

Play trailer Poster for Across the Universe PG-13 2007 2h 11m Musical Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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53% Tomatometer 176 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
The songs of the Beatles provide the sonic framework for this musical tale of romance, war and peace. When young British worker Jude (Jim Sturgess) sets sail for the United States in search of his father, he ends up meeting carefree college student Max (Joe Anderson) and his lovely sister, Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood), along with a cast of eccentric characters. As Jude and Lucy fall for each other, their relationship is threatened by the social upheaval that accompanies the Vietnam War.
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Across the Universe

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Critics Consensus

Psychedelic musical numbers can't mask Across the Universe's clichéd love story and thinly written characters.

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Critics Reviews

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Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly 09/07/2011
C-
The Beatles already survived one attempt by Hollywood to turn them into kitsch -- 1978's infamous Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band -- and so you have to wonder what they did to deserve Across the Universe. Go to Full Review Sandra Hall Sydney Morning Herald 11/02/2007
4/5
It's more than a nostalgia trip. The real pleasure lies in Taymor's ability to make it all seem brand new. Go to Full Review Jonathan F. Richards Film.com 10/19/2007
...the long and winding road that is Julie Taymor's opulent, eye-filling, and disappointingly uninvolving musical extravaganza... Go to Full Review Cinemanía Staff Cinemanía (Spain) 10/16/2020
2/5
It didn't have to be like that. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Leigh Monson Substream Magazine 10/01/2020
Across the Universe proves to be a strikingly relevant experience... Go to Full Review Jordi Costa El Pais (Spain) 03/28/2019
Imagine that an eminence of creative surgery kidnapped the love of his life to return it transformed into an exact replica of what they hate most. [Full Review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jsn D @jschaech 2d Great tribute to Beatles music snd clever, yet simple storyline. See more Gary N. @GMNelms Jul 2 Cute and entertaining. Great honor to Beatles music. See more Bonnie B @Menemsha Mar 8 If you're a baby boomer, this movie is like reliving the 60's. I've watched it many times -often with new people who are shocked they never heard of it- Not sure why the critics here were so negative- they mustn't be familiar with the historical perspective that goes along with the movie- I found and continue to find it powerful. Highly recommend with a good sound system and a big screen tv! See more thiago s @Thiagostone Feb 6 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more Maria A @MLErsk Jan 31 I love this movie, I also am a second generation Beatles fan. I grew up with The Beatles as basically the soundtrack to my life. So does that make me biased? Maybe? Every time I watch this movie I marvel at the actors takes on the songs, they are different yet not in that annoying way that maya you just want to listen to the originals. They brought so much of their own emotions to each performance that it really works. Also for those saying it’s a trite love story, well it is probably. But aren’t they all really? That time in America was tumultuous and for those of us who either lived through it first hand or were born right after ( in my case) those stories still feel relevant. Also very timely as well with what is happening right now in 2025-26. My reason for not giving five stars is for my personal taste some of the theatrics were over the top and unnecessary. But that’s personal taste. ✌🏻🩵 See more Tim H @TimHayes Jan 17 Finishing up my yearly rewatch. I don’t understand the hate this movie gets. Every time I watch it I think it’s brilliant. See more Read all reviews
Across the Universe

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Julie Taymor

Director

Evan Rachel Wood

Lucy

Jim Sturgess

Jude

Joe Anderson

Max Carrigan

Dana Fuchs

Sadie

Martin Luther McCoy

Jo-Jo

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Across the Universe

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Movie Info

Synopsis The songs of the Beatles provide the sonic framework for this musical tale of romance, war and peace. When young British worker Jude (Jim Sturgess) sets sail for the United States in search of his father, he ends up meeting carefree college student Max (Joe Anderson) and his lovely sister, Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood), along with a cast of eccentric characters. As Jude and Lucy fall for each other, their relationship is threatened by the social upheaval that accompanies the Vietnam War.
Director
Julie Taymor
Producer
Matthew Gross, Jennifer Todd, Suzanne Todd
Screenwriter
Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais
Distributor
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co
Revolution Studios
Rating
PG-13 (Nudity|Language|Sexuality|Some Drug Content|Violence)
Genre
Musical, Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 21, 2007, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$24.3M
Runtime
2h 11m
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