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IMDbPro

War of the Worlds

  • 20052005
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 56m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
457K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
846
89
War of the Worlds (2005)
Trailer
Play trailer1:58
5 Videos
99+ Photos
ActionAdventureSci-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
457K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
846
89
  • Director
    • Steven Spielberg
  • Writers
    • Josh Friedman(screenplay)
    • David Koepp(screenplay)
    • H.G. Wells(novel)
  • Stars
    • Tom Cruise
    • Dakota Fanning
    • Tim Robbins
  • 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
    • 403Critic reviews
    • 73Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 Oscars
      • 16 wins & 49 nominations total

    Videos5

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

    Photos178

    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 Ferrier
    Dakota Fanning
    Dakota Fanning
    • Rachel Ferrier
    Tim Robbins
    Tim Robbins
    • Harlan Ogilvy
    Miranda Otto
    Miranda Otto
    • Mary Ann
    Justin Chatwin
    Justin Chatwin
    • Robbie
    Rick Gonzalez
    Rick Gonzalez
    • Vincent
    Yul Vazquez
    Yul Vazquez
    • Julio
    • (as Yul Vázquez)
    Lenny Venito
    Lenny Venito
    • Manny the Mechanic
    Lisa Ann Walter
    Lisa Ann Walter
    • Bartender
    Ann Robinson
    Ann Robinson
    • Grandmother
    Gene Barry
    Gene Barry
    • Grandfather
    David Alan Basche
    David Alan Basche
    • Tim
    Roz Abrams
    • Self
    Michael Brownlee
    • TV Reporter, Osaka
    Camillia Monet
    Camillia Monet
    • News Producer
    • (as Camillia Sanes)
    Marlon Young
    Marlon Young
    • News Cameraman
    John Eddins
    John Eddins
    • News Van Driver
    Peter Gerety
    Peter Gerety
    • Hatch Boss…
    • Director
      • Steven Spielberg
    • Writers
      • Josh Friedman(screenplay)
      • David Koepp(screenplay)
      • H.G. Wells(novel)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When the aliens are investigating the junk in the basement, one of them plays with a bicycle wheel. This is a reference to the original book; the main character observes that, with all the advanced technology the aliens possess, they do not use any wheels, and wonders if the alien life form had skipped the invention of the wheel.
    • 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
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    A good take on the Wells story. Better than the 1953 classic in some ways
    First - a quick rebuttal: The peanut butter sandwich which seemed to stick to the window impossibly. This was a very visually interesting scene. In fact, the scene was shot from inside the house, and Cruise was shot in reflection against the window - so there is no problem here other than the reviewer not thinking what they were seeing through.

    Now on to the review...

    This film follows Tom Cruise - playing a not-very-adult divorced father - and his two kids through the Wellsian version of The War of the Worlds. Despite the fact that the film focuses exclusively on the harrowing experiences of this somewhat dysfunctional family, in a very basic way it preserves the elements of the original novel. As with Wells' book, a science savvy viewer will pick up on the biological plausibility of the main plot and realize the brilliance of Wells original points. Scientifically educated viewers will also recognize the geological impossibility of it. Neither of these facts should detract from the entertainment value of this interesting and exciting film. After all, it is a testament to Wells' genius that a novel written nearly 100 years ago still holds our attention today, and is still regarded as an intelligent take on improbable events.

    An alien species, about which nothing is really known, has been planning to take over and terraform earth for millenia, or perhaps much longer. Using unknown technology, they manage to emplace operatives in enormous tripod machines equipped with horrendous weapons that basically carbonize any life forms they take aim at. The tripods had been implanted deep in the earth long before the advent of our species. There simply is no stopping the invasion. Cruise, whose character is not really built for heroism, digs deep into his soul to protect his children as they attempt to make it to Boston to reunite with his estranged wife and her new family.

    Before I discuss the technical merits of the film, and the lavish production values, I feel that I need to make a comment on Dakota Fanning. Ms. Fanning gives one of the best performances I have ever seen a sub-12 year old give in The War of the Worlds. She is a match for Cruise, and actually manages to steal several scenes from him. The acting in this film is uniformly good, but Fanning really stood out.

    Spielberg and his team make seemingly impossible film visions come alive in a uniquely well realized manner. War of the Worlds is one of the most visually stunning films I have seen in a long time. Though I would not call the special effects innovative, they are, more importantly, convincing and never over-done. The nearly first person story telling technique is both original and effective, and the non-heroism of Cruise's character makes for a much more compelling plot than I expected to see. There are indeed some problems with believability, but let me ask - why would anybody go to this film expecting something more realistic than a fairy tale?

    Recommended for Wells fans, fans of the original 1953 adaptation, and action sci-fi fans. Mildly recommended to the average cinema-goer.
    helpful•233
    179
    • mstomaso
    • Jul 9, 2005

    FAQ40

    • Why did Robbie put his hat on backwards when going inside the house, after playing catch with Ray?
    • What films influenced the casting of Dakota Fanning?
    • Robbie asked why there were no planes when they were on the highway on the way to his mom's. How did one crash into the house later in the middle of the night?

    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(Ray's house - soundstage)
    • 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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