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IMDbPro

The Arrival

  • 19961996
  • 1212
  • 1h 55m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
35K
YOUR RATING
The Arrival (1996)
Home Video Trailer from Artisan
Play trailer1:56
1 Video
62 Photos
MysterySci-FiThriller

Zane, an astronomer, discovers intelligent alien life. But the aliens are keeping a deadly secret, and will do anything to stop Zane from learning it.Zane, an astronomer, discovers intelligent alien life. But the aliens are keeping a deadly secret, and will do anything to stop Zane from learning it.Zane, an astronomer, discovers intelligent alien life. But the aliens are keeping a deadly secret, and will do anything to stop Zane from learning it.

IMDb RATING
6.2/10
35K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • David Twohy
  • Writer
    • David Twohy
  • Stars
    • Charlie Sheen
    • Lindsay Crouse
    • Richard Schiff
Top credits
  • Director
    • David Twohy
  • Writer
    • David Twohy
  • Stars
    • Charlie Sheen
    • Lindsay Crouse
    • Richard Schiff
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 166User reviews
    • 61Critic reviews
    • 56Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination

    Videos1

    The Arrival
    Trailer 1:56
    The Arrival

    Photos62

    Charlie Sheen and Teri Polo in The Arrival (1996)
    Charlie Sheen in The Arrival (1996)
    Charlie Sheen and Tony T. Johnson in The Arrival (1996)
    Charlie Sheen in The Arrival (1996)
    Lindsay Crouse in The Arrival (1996)
    Charlie Sheen and Ron Silver in The Arrival (1996)
    Charlie Sheen in The Arrival (1996)
    The Arrival (1996)
    Charlie Sheen in The Arrival (1996)
    Charlie Sheen in The Arrival (1996)
    The Arrival (1996)
    The Arrival (1996)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Charlie Sheen
    Charlie Sheen
    • Zane Zaminskyas Zane Zaminsky
    Lindsay Crouse
    Lindsay Crouse
    • Ilana Greenas Ilana Green
    Richard Schiff
    Richard Schiff
    • Calvinas Calvin
    Shane
    • JPL Guard #1as JPL Guard #1
    Ron Silver
    Ron Silver
    • Phil Gordianas Phil Gordian…
    Teri Polo
    Teri Polo
    • Charas Char
    Phyllis Applegate
    Phyllis Applegate
    • Mrs. Rooseveltas Mrs. Roosevelt
    Alan Coates
    • Terraformeras Terraformer
    Leon Rippy
    Leon Rippy
    • DOD #1as DOD #1
    Buddy Joe Hooker
    Buddy Joe Hooker
    • DOD #2as DOD #2
    Javier Morga
    Javier Morga
    • Co-workeras Co-worker
    Tony T. Johnson
    • Kikias Kiki
    Catalina Botello
    Catalina Botello
    • N.C.A.R. Womanas N.C.A.R. Woman
    Georg Lillitsch
    • Computer Techas Computer Tech
    David Villalpando
    David Villalpando
    • Cabbieas Cabbie
    María Luisa Coronel
    • Maidas Maid
    • (as Maria Luisa Coronel)
    Ellen Bradley
    • Screaming Womanas Screaming Woman
    José García
    • Planecorp Guardas Planecorp Guard
    • (as Jose Garcia)
    • Director
      • David Twohy
    • Writer
      • David Twohy
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit
    Zane (Charlie Sheen), a young, mild-mannered astronomer discovers an extraterrestrial radio signal. After being fired from his organization for reporting this to his superior, he takes a chance on discovering the truth: that his workplace is not quite what it seems to be and a sinister conspiracy is at work. The aliens are keeping a deadly secret, and will stop at nothing to prevent Zane from learning it. —vishakbt1
    african american boyblack hole bombinvestigationmexicoalien112 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • The greatest danger facing our world has been the planet's best kept secret...until now.
    • Genres
      • Mystery
      • Sci-Fi
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • 12
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The signal detected is similar to the The Wow! signal, a strong narrowband radio signal received on August 15, 1977, by Ohio State University's Big Ear radio telescope. Though that was 72 seconds instead of 42.
    • Goofs
      The climate scientist refers to Oaxaca as central Mexico. Oaxaca is in the far south of the country.
    • Quotes

      [right before he kills an alien]

      Zane Ziminski: Do you want to see the ruins, my friend?

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Eddie/DragonHeart/The Arrival/Mission: Impossible/Spy Hard (1996)
    • Soundtracks
      Dos Arbolitos
      Arranged by Robert W. Schachner
      Performed by Mariachi Sol

    User reviews166

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Well Done Sci-Fi.
    Charlie Sheen plays Zane, a radio astronomer who accidentally discovers an alien signal from space, that also has origins on Earth. When he tries to tell his boss(Ron Silver, very good) he downplays and denies the importance of the find. Zane then finds out he has been fired, and the tape he gave to his boss disappears, so now very suspicious, he undertakes his own investigation, which leads him to an alarming truth about aliens who are indeed very much among us...

    Well written and directed by David Twohy, this science fiction film is a pleasant surprise, and Charlie Sheen is appealing and believable as the man determined to find the truth, and warn the world; sounds like a certain FBI agent from "The X-Files"...
    helpful•26
    8
    • AaronCapenBanner
    • Sep 5, 2013

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 31, 1996 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Mexico
    • Official site
      • Vidio (Indonesia)
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Shockwave
    • Filming locations
      • Taxco, Guerrero, Mexico
    • Production companies
      • Live Entertainment
      • Steelwork Films
      • Mediaworks
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $25,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $14,063,331
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,806,763
      • Jun 2, 1996
    • Gross worldwide
      • $14,063,331
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 55 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS

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