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War of the Worlds
CAST & DIRECTOR
Directed by Steven Spielberg. With Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Miranda Otto.
6.6/10
MOVIHERO RATINGWHAT IT'S ABOUT
Ray Ferrier is a divorced dockworker and less-than-perfect father. Soon after his ex-wife and her new husband drop off his teenage son and young daughter for a rare weekend visit, a strange and powerful lightning storm touches down.
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6.6/10
MOVIHERO RATINGYOUR WATCHLISTRay Ferrier is a divorced dockworker and less-than-perfect father. Soon after his ex-wife and her new husband drop off his teenage son and young daughter for a rare we…
MAKE THE CALL
Does this belong in your night?
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RELEASE SNAPSHOT
Release snapshot for War of the Worlds.
MoviHero lists June 28, 2005 as the release date for War of the Worlds. Steven Spielberg is the listed director. The listed cast includes Tom Cruise as Ray, Dakota Fanning as Rachel, Miranda Otto as Mary Ann, Justin Chatwin as Robbie. A trailer and 5 stills are available on this page.
Release dateJune 28, 2005
GenresAdventure · Science Fiction · Thriller
Runtime1h 57m
DirectorSteven Spielberg
CastTom Cruise as Ray, Dakota Fanning as Rachel, Miranda Otto as Mary Ann, Justin Chatwin as Robbie
TrailerAvailable on this page
Images5 stills
BEFORE YOU PRESS PLAY
Is War of the Worlds right for tonight?
Pacing, attention and emotional impact are estimates from the current MoviHero Watch Profile, not verified scene-by-scene reviews.
How much time should I set aside?
War of the Worlds runs 1h 57m. Allow extra time for breaks.
Is it slow or fast?
The current MoviHero pacing estimate is 6/10: a middle-ground pace.
Is it a good choice when I am tired?
The attention estimate is 6/10. Expect to follow the story rather than use it as background viewing.
How emotionally intense is it?
The emotional-impact estimate is 6/10, suggesting a moderate emotional load. This does not tell you whether the ending is happy or sad.
CHANGE ONE THING
Like this, but...
These share a listed genre with War of the Worlds. Profile differences are estimates, not a guarantee of the same story or mood.
But shorterThe Cryonicist2026 · 14m
103 minutes shorter (14m). Shared genre: science fiction, thriller.
But less emotionally intenseSafe2026 · Runtime unavailableEstimated emotional impact: 4/10 versus 6/10. Shared genre: thriller.
But less demandingThe Fixation2026 · 2h 3mEstimated attention required: 4/10 versus 6/10. Shared genre: thriller.
MOVIE RATING
MoviHero Rating
MoviHero Rating: 6.6/10 from 9,682 votes. Updated Nov 4, 2026.
Rating data supplied by TMDB, shown on a 10-point scale. MoviHero audience ratings are calculated separately from scores submitted here.
MOVIHERO AUDIENCE RATING
What did you think?
Your movie rating. Your audience score.
CHECK AVAILABILITY
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WHAT WATCHING IT FEELS LIKE
Watch Profile
Seven estimates of the viewing experience, based on the stored Watch Profile. These are separate from the movie rating and are not verified scene-by-scene assessments.
Pacing6/10
Emotional Impact6/10
Mind-Bending5/10
Scary2/10
Violence5/10
Rewatchability6/10
Attention Required6/10
VIEWER REVIEWS
What viewers say about War of the Worlds
Selected viewer reactions, in their own words. These excerpts reflect individual opinions, not an overall verdict.
Viewer reaction
“I enjoyed this entry into the HG Wells film library.”
Viewer reaction
“First time seeing this in 15 years and lame plot, annoying characters (both kids got on my nerves) and a protagonist who just runs around…”
Viewer reaction
“Sometimes it just pays to leave well alone, and this remake of the 1953 version adds nothing aside from more sophisticated special effects.”
More reactions (1)
Viewer reaction
“An intense, serious and harrowing portrayal of the H.G.”
Selected review excerpts supplied by TMDB. Opinions belong to their original authors.
WORDS THAT STAY WITH YOU
Memorable lines
Reveal a line containing a spoiler
“You and me - I don't think we're on the same page.”
A CLOSER LOOK
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CAST & CREW
The people who make it land.
CHARACTERS IN THIS MOVIE
Follow the character.
Reviewed MoviHero character guides connected to this movie.
otherHarlan OgilvyHarlan Ogilvy appears in War of the Worlds (2005).Open character guide otherGrandmotherGrandmother appears in War of the Worlds (2005).Open character guide otherMary AnnMary Ann appears in War of the Worlds (2005).Open character guide otherRachelRachel appears in War of the Worlds (2005).Open character guide otherRobbieRobbie appears in War of the Worlds (2005).Open character guide otherTimTim appears in War of the Worlds (2005).Open character guide otherVincentVincent appears in War of the Worlds (2005).Open character guide otherRayRay appears in War of the Worlds (2005).Open character guide
SIMILAR GENRES & STORY THEMES
Keep the night going.
7.2/10
MOVIHERO ESTIMATEThe Cryonicist
2026·Science Fiction · Crime · Thriller
7.2/10
MOVIHERO ESTIMATESafe
2026·Thriller
7.2/10
MOVIHERO ESTIMATEThe Evil Inside
2026·Thriller