Arctic

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2:16

Arctic

PG-13

2019

1h 37m

Adventure

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

150 Reviews

78%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

A man stranded in the Arctic after an airplane crash must decide whether to remain in the relative safety of his makeshift camp or to embark on a deadly trek through the unknown in hopes of making it out alive.

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Critics Consensus

Arctic proves that a good survival thriller doesn't need much in the way of dialogue to get by -- especially when Mads Mikkelsen is the one doing the surviving.

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Andrea Gronvall

Chicago Reader

Mar 25, 2020

First-time feature director Joe Penna and his cowriter and editor Ryan Morrison skillfully exploit genre conventions, but suspense arises mostly from what fresh hells they devise for the hero to conquer, for conquer he must.

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Joshua Rothkopf

Time Out

May 14, 2019

4/5

Brazilian director Joe Penna, a former viral YouTube star, seems to relish the chance to stretch out and slow down, training the focus of his almost John Carpenter-esque feature debut (shot in gorgeous Icelandic locations) on small acts of process.

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David Stratton

The Australian

Feb 15, 2019

3.5/5

It's an austere approach, but Brazilian-born Joe Penna, directing his first film after making a splash with his videos on YouTube, is to be commended for the rigorousness with which he is operating.

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Calum Cooper

Source (Scotland)

Jul 14, 2024

4/5

Nifty direction results in imagery that’s as breath-taking as it is haunting, an intensity that rocks you to the core, and yet another phenomenal act from Mikkelsen serving as the soul of the film.

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Dolores Quintana

Dolores Quintana

Dec 28, 2022

ARCTIC is a survival horror movie with a surprisingly warm human heart and understanding of the human soul. It is gripping while not really having an excess of violence or action sequences to fall back on. It is a gem that should not be missed.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Aug 19, 2022

4.5/5

It’s hard to think of anyone better equipped to lead this movie than Mads Mikkelsen. His tough exterior and rugged disposition is only outdone by his innate ability to speak volumes with so few words.

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Ashequl I

@Tofa13 Sep 26, 2026

Arctic, a survival movie with great thrills. The thrill moments were really good. The story revolves around a man who survives a plane crash. One day, a crew comes to save him, but they also crash, and he saves one of them. The relationship that builds between them as they try to survive is the most important part of the movie. The highs and lows they face are showcased beautifully. The moment when one of them thinks about leaving the other, a sudden event changes everything. It was a great film to watch, and as a survival film, it was really good. Overall, I loved it. One negative is that the movie sometimes felt slow.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 18, 2026

Artic = a *4* star movie!

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Bryan S

@Bryan9242 Jul 28, 2026

This movie is painful to watch. Desolate. Bleak. Sad. Unrelenting. The movie is painfully slow. I only got through it by using the fast forward. I don't know how this movie could have positive reviews. I would never recommend this movie to anyone. I suppose the actor did a fine job and the cinematography is alright. But, there's no way to overcome the lack of story and the glacial (pun intended) pacing.

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Jonathan K

@aFIREintheattic Jan 4, 2026

Bleak! But quite captivating given the story and simplicity and extreme lack of dialogue. There some ambiguity with the ending, lending to multiple interpretations, if you choose to see it that way, which is a plus here. Mads is excellent as always.

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Doug W.

@ddub6819 Dec 13, 2025

Was hoping for an end that had more celebration. It was still a very good one though. Excellent actor and I felt connected throughout the entire film. A refreshing change to all cookie cutter CIA and vengeful movies.

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Chris L

@RT86431176 Aug 9, 2025

This is the best movies I ever watched! After Mads performed in Dr. Strange I was always looking forward to seeing his new works! Arctic is a really great movie! You have to watch to see how a man try to search for hope in Arctica!

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Joe Penna

Director

Mads Mikkelsen

Overgård

Maria Thelma Smáradóttir

Young Woman

Tintrinai Thikhasuk

Helicopter Pilot

Ryan Morrison

Film Editing

Tim Zajaros

Producer

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Arctic: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

A man stranded in the Arctic after an airplane crash must decide whether to remain in the relative safety of his makeshift camp or to embark on a deadly trek through the unknown in hopes of making it out alive.

Director: Joe Penna
Producer: Tim Zajaros, Christopher Lemole, Noah C. Haeussner
Distributor: Bleecker Street Media
Production Co: Armory Films, Pegasus Pictures, XYZ Films, Joker Films
Rating: PG-13 (Some Bloody Images|Language)
Genre: Adventure, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 1, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 23, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.4M
Runtime: 1h 37m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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