Watchmen

Play trailer

2:19

Watchmen

R

2009

2h 42m

Action

Adventure

Fantasy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

64%

Tomatometer

304 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

In an alternate 1985 America, costumed superheroes are part of everyday life. When one of his former comrades is murdered, masked vigilante Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley) uncovers a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes. As he reconnects with his retired associates, only one of which has true powers, Rorschach glimpses a far-reaching conspiracy involving their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the world's future.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Gritty and visually striking, Watchmen is a faithful adaptation of Alan Moore's graphic novel, but its complex narrative structure may make it difficult for it to appeal to viewers not already familiar with the source material.

Read Critics Reviews

Matthew Rozsa

Salon.com

07/23/2019

3.5/4

When given a great story and told that his job is to simply adapt it, Snyder more than rises to the occasion.

Go to Full Review

Matt Singer

The Rumpus

09/18/2017

The only way to truly adhere to Alan Moore's vision of Watchmen would be to not make the movie in the first place.

Go to Full Review

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

09/12/2017

B+

Watchmen isn't your typical caper flick filled with kickass effects and gunfire and no premise.

Go to Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

10/28/2023

The story of costumed superheroes into the real world offers a visual spectacle to be sure, but it emphasizes the “novel” in graphic novel: narrative complexity, character dynamism, the density of fiction and history and commentary swirling together.

Go to Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

09/05/2023

2.5/4

Ambitious films like this are generally either glorious artistic successes or utter failures; Watchmen uniquely falls somewhere in the middle.

Go to Full Review

Manuel São Bento

MSB Reviews

07/24/2023

B

Technically sublime, with a distinct style, brilliant production design, and gorgeous cinematography. As it stands, as one and only film, it’s really impressive even with its flaws.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Leprechaun K

@LeprechaunKing 5d

Movie seems too long. Plot twists are artificial and characters are just not likable. There are some cool visuals and that's about it.

See more

James H.

@420Drive-in Jan 23

Watchmen is incredible. If you enjoy brutal superhero violence, then this is your movie. An amazing adaptation of the Graphic Novel and Snyder nails the visuals and Bravo to the casting director. Awesome performances all around.

See more

Will S.

@William165 Jan 21

Give me back my face! (Theatrical Cut)-(9.5/10) (Director’s Cut)-(10/10) (Ultimate Cut)-(10/10)

See more

Matt M

@Hanover_Phist Jan 12

This is a horrible adaptation of the source material. Saved only by the original story and some compelling performances. Zack Snyder is a hack who doesn't understand comic books.

See more

John B

@Eladamri Dec 15

A riveting and original take on 'superheroes' but much more than that, a take on existentialism, the nature of evil, and what makes a man.

See more

Rylan M.

@Ryo-reviews Dec 14

I think this is the best dc movie ever

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Zack Snyder

Director

Billy Crudup

Jon Osterman

Malin Akerman

Laurie Jupiter

Jackie Earle Haley

Walter Kovacs

Matthew Goode

Adrian Veidt

Patrick Wilson

Dan Dreiberg

View more videos

Conan the Barbarian

25%

30%

Conan the Barbarian

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Conan the Barbarian

Immortals

50%

49%

Immortals

Watchlist

Logan

93%

91%

Logan

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Logan

Hellboy

17%

47%

Hellboy

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Hellboy

Zack Snyder's Justice League

71%

92%

Zack Snyder's Justice League

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Zack Snyder's Justice League

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

The Best Superhero Movie of Each Year Since 1998

HBO’s Watchmen Episode 1 Explained: Squid Storms, Masked Police, and Rorschach’s Hijacked Legacy

How Watchmen Landed Oscar Winners Regina King and Jeremy Irons

Watchmen: Trailer 1

2:19

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

In an alternate 1985 America, costumed superheroes are part of everyday life. When one of his former comrades is murdered, masked vigilante Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley) uncovers a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes. As he reconnects with his retired associates, only one of which has true powers, Rorschach glimpses a far-reaching conspiracy involving their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the world's future.

Director: Zack Snyder
Producer: Lawrence Gordon, Lloyd Levin, Deborah Snyder
Screenwriter: David Hayter, Alex Tse
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Lawrence Gordon Productions, Lloyd Levin
Rating: R (Nudity|Language|Sexuality|Strong Graphic Violence)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 6, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 31, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $107.5M
Runtime: 2h 42m

Most Popular at Home Now