War of the Worlds

Play trailer

2:18

War of the Worlds

PG-13

2005

1h 56m

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Action

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

264 Reviews

42%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Dockworker Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) struggles to build a positive relationship with his two children, Rachel (Dakota Fanning) and Robbie (Justin Chatwin). When his ex-wife, Mary Ann (Miranda Otto), drops them off at Ferrier's house, it seems as though it will be just another tension-filled weekend. However, when electromagnetic pulses of lightning strike the area, the strange event turns out to be the beginning of an alien invasion, and Ferrier must now protect his children as they seek refuge.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Steven Spielberg's adaptation of War of the Worlds delivers on the thrill and paranoia of H.G. Wells' classic novel while impressively updating the action and effects for modern audiences.

Read Critics Reviews

Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

07/05/2022

This superior popcorn flick revels in the unabashed joy of blowing stuff into oblivion.

Go to Full Review

Nell Minow

Beliefnet

08/15/2013

B+

The story is affecting, the action scenes are thrilling, the issues are resonant.

Go to Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

06/08/2007

Spielberg's calculations turn out to be more prominent than any effects they could possibly produce, and the less pretentious 1953 version by producer George Pal emerges as more likable.

Go to Full Review

Nicolás Medina

Peliplat

May 10

10/10

If the 1953 film was set in a post-war context and fight against the Soviets, this one is set in the post 9/11 era that shattered the security and stability of the United States. [Full review in Spanish]

Go to Full Review

Alan Jones

Radio Times

04/12/2024

4/5

The first (and much the superior) hour is a masterclass in escalating tension, with grandiose and brilliantly executed sequences following in rapid succession.

Go to Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

08/05/2022

3.5/4

Highly influential, ever innovative, and full of emotion and slick formal trickery, the film lives up to the precise definition of what "Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds" should be.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Jazmin C.

@luv_jazmin 6d

So good and emotional

See more

Oli W

@homerisbart201126 Jan 25

peak scary and a whole lot of fun

See more

Cork B

Jan 22

Tom Cruise almost never makes a bad movie. I would say his casting here isn't bad, but he is playing against type here as a confused struggling family man trying to keep his family safe. Buildup to the invasion and reveal is great - true Spielberg fashion - and the CGI is really good for the era too. My major issues with this are: firstly, everyone is all running in the same direction. Why? Why is everyone going to Boston? Wasn't Boston hit too? Wouldn't you flee AWAY from the cities? Why was the ferry still running? Events are basically choreographed in front of the family for maximum visual effect. And secondly, the ending was stupid. (SPOILERS) that the wife's family was still alive by just sitting tight was dumb enough, but somehow the kid was there too ahead of them? My only solace was that dumb son was dead, and well, lame...

See more

Benjamin W.

@Code70 Jan 21

Not one of Steven Spielberg’s all-time great blockbusters, but still quite a good one.

See more

Eamon A

@EamonTheChicken Jan 18

+1 stars for the needle scene, +1 stars for tom cruise, +1 stars for the great early CGI, and, +1 stars for the creepy tripod sounds

See more

Illyana R

@Haloguy Jan 11

Really underrated film. One of my childhood favorites. If you haven't watched it watch it. Not the ice cube one

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Steven Spielberg

Director

Tom Cruise

Ray Ferrier

Dakota Fanning

Rachel Ferrier

Miranda Otto

Mary Ann

Justin Chatwin

Robbie

Tim Robbins

Harlan Ogilvy

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - No Shield

2:13

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Ferry Disaster

2:07

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Probing the Basement

2:13

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - The War Begins

2:11

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Fight on the Hill

2:07

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Taking Down a Tripod

2:00

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Not on the Same Page

2:12

War of the Worlds: Official Clip - Abduction

2:13

View more videos

Timeline

13%

45%

Timeline

Watchlist

Sahara

37%

54%

Sahara

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Sahara

Deep Impact

45%

43%

Deep Impact

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Deep Impact

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

19%

57%

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

The Chronicles of Riddick

29%

65%

The Chronicles of Riddick

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

War of the Worlds: Trailer 2

2:18

War of the Worlds: Trailer 1

1:50

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Dockworker Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) struggles to build a positive relationship with his two children, Rachel (Dakota Fanning) and Robbie (Justin Chatwin). When his ex-wife, Mary Ann (Miranda Otto), drops them off at Ferrier's house, it seems as though it will be just another tension-filled weekend. However, when electromagnetic pulses of lightning strike the area, the strange event turns out to be the beginning of an alien invasion, and Ferrier must now protect his children as they seek refuge.

Director: Steven Spielberg
Producer: Kathleen Kennedy, Colin Wilson
Screenwriter: H.G. Wells, Josh Friedman, David Koepp
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Frightening Sequences|Disturbing Images|Sci-Fi Violence)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Adventure, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 29, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 14, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $234.3M
Runtime: 1h 56m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

Most Popular at Home Now