Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Justin Chatwin

This is a contemporary retelling of H.G. Wells' seminal sci-fi classic. The adventure/thriller reveals humankind's extraordinary battle against an extra-terrestrial invasion fleet, as seen through the...( read more  read more... ) eyes of one American family. Located somewhere in the New England United States, the family -- like millions of others around the globe -- is forced to take refuge from the aliens' highly advanced weapons and impenetrable shields, which are unstoppable against anything that mankind can throw at them. Unable to fight back and finding it more and more difficult to remain hidden from the aliens, the human race faces the end of its existence.

Flixster Users

45% liked it

31,022,289 ratings

Critics

73% liked it

240 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 59 min.

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Release Date: June 29, 2005

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DVD Release Date: November 22, 2005

Stats: 1,165,505 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,165,505)


  • August 26, 2009
    Apart from the impressive special effects, this film was dire. Such a shame as a decent remake should have been brilliant.
  • July 18, 2009
    Effects wise this is a very very good film, like all modern sci-fi films, it looks awesome and very realistic. The aliens and their mechanical tripods are slick, shiny and uber cool looking :) whilst the fungus like growth they produce across everything looks brilliant and fully ...( read more)believeable, superb effects, kudos.

    But thats it, the acting is the usual over the top, wide eyed blockbuster fare you expect from these high dollar flicks, Cruise is just Cruise like in all his films haha no difference, the kids are good but they have that annoying thing going on which I cant quite explain haha the only decent acting really is Robbins, dependable is the word.

    As for this flick against the old one its hard, this new film is great looking of course and more complete due to what can be done but the old film is charming and has that classic movie aura about it that always seems to make them come across well. The quaint effects also are so very likeable hehe the look of the ships, that green hue, the red lasers :) so good.

    Both are good and have their pluses and minuses, this is a good flick for sure just overrated methinks.
  • July 14, 2009
    Found it overly boring, not worth the watch.
  • March 19, 2009
    My complaint is that Spielberg engages us so well until the last act where he seems to run out of ideas on how to end this thing, leaving us with something that is clumsy and empty instead of thoughtful and gripping.
  • December 29, 2008
    better than I was expecting, despite Tom Cruise.
  • November 20, 2009
    wow! wonderful! terrific!!
  • November 20, 2009
    The absolute worst thing Spieldberg ever did or tried to do.
  • November 20, 2009
    It has Tom Cruise in it but other than that it is good.
  • November 20, 2009
    War of the Worlds is just one of those films you watch and don't really appreciate. But after several viewings you really get to grips with the thrill.

    ...( read more)ning-4278882">


    Tom Cruise usually means a bad film to me, but in this he wasn't half bad. I can also not fault the direction as each scene helps the film progress to a climatic ending. I would like to see the original as i'm sure i'd not fail to compare the two, but as a stand alone film War of the Worlds is interesting, explosive and packed with action.
  • November 20, 2009
    Again, the original!

Critic Reviews


August 2, 2005
Kurt Loder, MTV

[A]s much a disaster movie as it is a straight sci-fi horror film ... there are very good performances in the film ... but the movie leaves you feeling let-down and quarrelsome. full review

July 8, 2005
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness

A summer spectacular in which human relationships and emotions refuse to be overwhelmed by (admittedly awesome) computer-generated mayhem. full review

July 7, 2005
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

H.G. Wells wouldn't recognize his 1898 alien-invasion novel, The War of the Worlds, in Steven Spielberg's updated film version. But Wells could probably relate to the ensuing fear and panic. full review

June 29, 2005
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

Extravagant in movie terms but stingy in emotional ones, it embodies all of Spielberg's bad impulses and almost none of his good ones. full review

June 29, 2005
Claudia Puig, USA Today

When it comes to searing and iconic visual imagery, Spielberg is still the best filmmaker around. full review

June 28, 2005
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

War of the Worlds is a big, clunky movie containing some sensational sights but lacking the zest and joyous energy we expect from Steven Spielberg. full review

June 28, 2005
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

Steven Spielberg's reasonably entertaining rendering of the 1898 H. G. Wells novel is an elemental story of predator and prey. full review

June 28, 2005
David Edelstein, Slate

It's the human struggle that makes this a sci-fi masterpiece. full review

View more War of the Worlds reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • seanslife
    August 26, 2009
    This is definitely one of the best sci-fi movies I have ever seen no holds barred. For people who like that genre or for people who might want to finally view something in that genre it is a good place to start.

    Sky Captain and the World of Tommorrow, Cloverfield and this movie are some of the best sci-fi type films produced all-time.
  • djcurrygoat
    July 5, 2009
    Definately one of my favorite movies. I remember going back to watch it a second time. Critics can say what they want about it, but this is an amazing novel-based movie. Speilberg did an awesome/terrific job on this and the performances were perfect. The movie had an intense feeling that I haven't gotten from a movie in a while. I definately bought the DVD right away.
  • mysterious1984
    April 13, 2009
    Quality movie! Spielberg does a great job in making the movie believable. The end of the world seems so real! Thats what makes it scary!!!
  • mzatic
    February 28, 2009
    hi everyone, I hope you have enjoyed this film because I'd love to watch it again
  • corabrown85
    February 23, 2009
    hi cora
  • ajishp333
    November 12, 2008
    hi, morning
  • ajischillin
    July 15, 2008
    http://www.tomcruise.com/tom-cruise-war-of-the-worlds-movie.html
  • nabihlakkis
    June 27, 2008
    Anyone who critisizes this movie negatively has a really bad taste in movies.
  • Milan113
    June 22, 2008
    Im not sure why many people didn't like this movie, i mean, IS NOT ABOUT SEEING EXPLOSIONS, OR WAR FOR FUN, people needs to understand that ITS ABOUT THE WORLS DESTRUCTION, PEOPLE RUNNING FOR THEIR LIFES AND THEN TRY TO ATTACK, is not one of those movies for crazy people who wants to see just action, the movie is WAY more artistic than that.

    Remember who directed it...
  • MelissaAnnLegard
    April 16, 2008
    the graphics are awesome but its a little too overrated.
    great movie tho.
    i love watching justin chatwin.
    HE'S SO SEXY!<333

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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War of the Worlds Trivia


  • What Two Movies Does Dakota Fanning Play In?(Out Of The Following)  Answer »
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