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War of the Worlds

  • 20052005
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 56m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
440K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
226
98
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
War of the Worlds (2005)
Trailer
Play trailer1:58
5 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Sci-Fi

An alien invasion threatens the future of humanity. The catastrophic nightmare is depicted through the eyes of one American family fighting for survival.An alien invasion threatens the future of humanity. The catastrophic nightmare is depicted through the eyes of one American family fighting for survival.An alien invasion threatens the future of humanity. The catastrophic nightmare is depicted through the eyes of one American family fighting for survival.

IMDb RATING
6.5/10
440K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
226
98
  • Director
    • Steven Spielberg
  • Writers
    • Josh Friedman(screenplay)
    • David Koepp(screenplay)
    • H.G. Wells(novel)
  • Stars
    • Tom Cruise
    • Dakota Fanning
    • Tim Robbins
Top credits
  • Director
    • Steven Spielberg
  • Writers
    • Josh Friedman(screenplay)
    • David Koepp(screenplay)
    • H.G. Wells(novel)
  • Stars
    • Tom Cruise
    • Dakota Fanning
    • Tim Robbins
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 2.9KUser reviews
    • 396Critic reviews
    • 73Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 Oscars
      • 16 wins & 49 nominations total

    Videos5

    War of the Worlds
    Trailer 1:58
    War of the Worlds
    A Guide to the Films of Steven Spielberg
    Clip 2:31
    A Guide to the Films of Steven Spielberg
    War of the Worlds
    Clip 0:41
    War of the Worlds
    War of the Worlds
    Clip 0:33
    War of the Worlds
    War of the Worlds
    Clip 0:35
    War of the Worlds

    Photos180

    War of the Worlds (2005)
    Tom Cruise, Rick Gonzalez, and Yul Vazquez in War of the Worlds (2005)
    Tom Cruise in War of the Worlds (2005)
    Tom Cruise in War of the Worlds (2005)
    Dakota Fanning in War of the Worlds (2005)
    Steven Spielberg, Janusz Kaminski, and Kathleen Kennedy in War of the Worlds (2005)
    Miranda Otto in War of the Worlds (2005)
    Tom Cruise, Miranda Otto, Justin Chatwin, and Dakota Fanning in War of the Worlds (2005)
    Tom Cruise, Justin Chatwin, and Dakota Fanning in War of the Worlds (2005)
    Dakota Fanning in War of the Worlds (2005)
    Dakota Fanning in War of the Worlds (2005)
    Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning in War of the Worlds (2005)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Tom Cruise
    Tom Cruise
    • Ray Ferrieras Ray Ferrier
    Dakota Fanning
    Dakota Fanning
    • Rachel Ferrieras Rachel Ferrier
    Tim Robbins
    Tim Robbins
    • Harlan Ogilvyas Harlan Ogilvy
    Miranda Otto
    Miranda Otto
    • Mary Annas Mary Ann
    Justin Chatwin
    Justin Chatwin
    • Robbieas Robbie
    Rick Gonzalez
    Rick Gonzalez
    • Vincentas Vincent
    Yul Vazquez
    Yul Vazquez
    • Julioas Julio
    • (as Yul Vázquez)
    Lenny Venito
    Lenny Venito
    • Manny the Mechanicas Manny the Mechanic
    Lisa Ann Walter
    Lisa Ann Walter
    • Bartenderas Bartender
    Ann Robinson
    Ann Robinson
    • Grandmotheras Grandmother
    Gene Barry
    Gene Barry
    • Grandfatheras Grandfather
    David Alan Basche
    David Alan Basche
    • Timas Tim
    Roz Abrams
    • Selfas Self
    Michael Brownlee
    • TV Reporter, Osakaas TV Reporter, Osaka
    Camillia Monet
    Camillia Monet
    • News Produceras News Producer
    • (as Camillia Sanes)
    Marlon Young
    Marlon Young
    • News Cameramanas News Cameraman
    John Eddins
    John Eddins
    • News Van Driveras News Van Driver
    Peter Gerety
    Peter Gerety
    • Hatch Bossas Hatch Boss…
    • Director
      • Steven Spielberg
    • Writers
      • Josh Friedman(screenplay)
      • David Koepp(screenplay)
      • H.G. Wells(novel)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    An ordinary man has to protect his children against alien invaders in this science fiction action film freely adapted from the classic story by H.G. Wells. Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) is a dockworker living in New Jersey, divorced from his first wife Mary Ann (Miranda Otto) and estranged from his two children Rachel and Robbie (Dakota Fanning and Justin Chatwin), of whom he has custody on weekends. On one such visitation, looking after the kids becomes a little more difficult when, after a series of strange lighting storms hit his neighborhood, Ray discovers that a fleet of death-ray robotic spaceships have emerged nearby, part of the first wave of an all-out alien invasion of the Earth. Transporting his children from New York to Boston in an attempt to find safety at Mary Ann's parents' house, Ray must learn to become the protector and provider he never was in marriage.
    • alien
    • survival
    • underground
    • mass death
    • escape
    • 288 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Sie sind schon unter uns.
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Adventure
      • Sci-Fi
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG-13 for frightening sequences of sci-fi violence and disturbing images
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      One scene shows Ray running out of the house to find Robbie while dozens of people are right outside his house photographing the lightning storm. To film the scene, producers hired people on the street to come to the street at the time of shooting with a camera and film so they could get pictures of Tom Cruise for free.
    • Goofs
      (at around 25 mins) A camera is seen filming the alien despite all electronics being disabled earlier in the film.
    • Quotes

      Robbie Ferrier: What is it? Is it terrorists?

      Ray Ferrier: These came from some place else.

      Robbie Ferrier: What do you mean, like, Europe?

      Ray Ferrier: No, Robbie, not like Europe!

    • Crazy credits
      There are no opening credits after the title is shown.
    • Alternate versions
      For the U.S. theatrical release, the Paramount logo appeared before the Dreamworks logo at the beginning of the film, and the poster credits said, "Paramount Pictures and Dreamworks Pictures present." Since the U.S. version's home video/DVD rights are owned by Dreamworks, the Dreamworks logo at the beginning of the movie appears before the Paramount logo, and the back of the box's cover art says, "Dreamworks Pictures and Paramount Pictures present." In the European version, the original order of the logos and studio names is preserved (and the DVD is released by Paramount).
    • Connections
      Edited into The Arrivals (2008)
    • Soundtracks
      Flatline
      by Jeffrey Scott Harber, Jayce Alexander Basques, William Peng & Drew Dehaven Hall

      Performed by Aphasia

      Courtesy of Luke Eddins at Luke Hits and Joint Venture Recordings

    User reviews2.9K

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    A Nutshell Review: War of the Worlds
    War of the Worlds marks the second collaboration between 2 of Hollywood's most influential figures, that of director Steven Spielberg and megastar Tom Cruise. In this updated adaptation of H.G. Well's classic, we revisit alien territory already familiar with Spielberg (with evergreens like Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and E.T.), except that this time around, the aliens are not an iota friendly and wastes no time proving its point with its laser beams.

    Cruise plays Ray, a middle class salaried worker whose ex-wife (Miranda Otto, in an underused role) leaves their estranged kids with for the weekend. Being the selfish carefree man that he is, it is no wonder why he doesn't get much respect, especially from his son. Before you can say move on with the melodrama, worldwide lightning phenomenon gets TV coverage, and soon enough, the horror begins, as the well known battle tripods rise from beneath the earth and annihilate everything on site.

    The special effects are brilliant, and serves as an effective plot device for unspeakable, unexplainable horror. Spielberg teases you with indirect shots of the tripods, from mirrors and reflective surfaces, never letting you see from a first person's perspective for too long, keeping in pace with the initial suspense built.

    Terrorist attacks were mentioned in conversation, and perhaps this movie also serves as a timely reminder of always being prepared, with emergency equipment, stashes of food, and familiarity with emergency procedures.

    This film could take the easy way out and focus on the big explosions ala Independence Day, but since that was already done, we get to focus on the smaller picture, that of the survival of the family unit in crisis, and I applaud this approach. Conflicts arise and sometimes solved through unpopular decisions, and that's the way of life. Most times we do not have complete information, and need to make split second life determining decisions.

    However, the pace slackens toward the end of the movie, and steers us back with reminders that this is after all a summer action blockbuster, with predictable endings, some plot loopholes and worse, rushed explanations.

    Tom Cruise doesn't get to flash his pearly whites so often here, as we see a transformation from irresponsibility, and in his son's opinion, cowardice, to courageous dad whose children are his first priority. I'd dare say Cruise is in his element here, saving the day (in a not so direct manner).

    Dakota Fanning shines as Ray's daughter Rachel, bringing forth a sense of vulnerability with her fear of enclosed spaces, and her love for her father and brother. Being the little damsel in distress, who wouldn't want to save her and ensure that she survives this horrible onslaught? Serves well as a Hollywood summer blockbuster, but not the "most anticipated" for this year as claimed by some.
    helpful•71
    58
    • DICK STEEL
    • Jun 29, 2005

    FAQ39

    • Did anyone recognize the actors playing the grandparents at the very end of the film?
    • Why did Robbie put his hat on backwards when going inside the house, after playing catch with Ray?
    • What is "War of the Worlds" about?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 29, 2005 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Out of the Night
    • Filming locations
      • JF Kennedy Blvd., Bayonne, New Jersey, USA
    • Production companies
      • Paramount Pictures
      • Dreamworks Pictures
      • Amblin Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $132,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $234,280,354
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $64,878,725
      • Jul 3, 2005
    • Gross worldwide
      • $603,873,119
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 56 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
      • Dolby Atmos
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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