The Incredible Shrinking Man

The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)

  • 88% of critics liked it
    (17 reviews)

  • 80% of users liked it
    (3,600 ratings)

The screen's great existential science fiction film, The Incredible Shrinking Man stars Grant Williams in the title role. While catching some rays on his brother's yacht, Scott Carey (Williams) is enveloped by a mysterious dark cloud. Soon after, he discovers that he's getting thinner --… More

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Unrated,
Directed By
Genres
Science Fiction & Fantasy, Horror
In Theaters
Feb 22, 1957 Wide
MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

  • Geoff Andrew, Time Out

    A moving, strangely pantheist assertion of what it really means to be alive. A pulp masterpiece.

  • Bosley Crowther, New York Times

    Unless a viewer is addicted to freakish ironies, the unlikely spectacle of Mr. Williams losing an inch of height each week will become tiresome before Universal has emptied its lab of science-fiction clichés.

  • Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

    The surreal intensity of outsize objects that loom as the hero shrinks is handled effectively, and the mystical happy ending is a better payoff than one would expect of the genre.

  • Rob Humanick, Suite101.com

    Earns its ponderous tone, and the final moments are as fitting as they are unexpected.

  • , TV Guide's Movie Guide

    Notable for its relatively intelligent script, for some imaginatively amusing special effects, and for an existential streak which finally has our (tiny) hero pondering the meaning of existence.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Matheus C


    The rare sci-fi that is able to overcome its B-movie sensibilities and become an engaging drama and a study of everything from sexism and sexual frustration to a view of an American family during the Cold War years to finally end up pondering over the meaning of the universe. Heavy… More

  • AJ V


    Another of my favourite sci-fi movies of the fifties. This movie is great not just because of the cool special effects, the story is fantastic. At first it seems a bit silly because the idea is that he shrinks after being exposed to atomic bomb mist or something, but after that it… More

  • Stella D


    an excellent film with imaginative old school effects. the shrinking man's trials seem funny at first but by the epic adventure in the basement, i was totally on his side. great ending

  • Anthony L


    Such an influential film, Jack Arnold at his best and a truly wonderful sci-fi classic. The last scene is so haunting and totally unexpected and the special effects are special, beats CGI any day!

  • Bruce B


    This is one that was on Chiller Theater when I was growing up. Typical Sci Fi Movie from the Fifties, A couple are out in a boat when hubby sends the wife below deck to get him a beer, that was back in the time when wife?s did things for there husbands, anyway while below deck a… More

Read all 10 featured audience ratings

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Cast

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