The Philadelphia Experiment

Name: The Philadelphia Experiment
Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Thriller
Released: 1984-10-05
Cast: Michael Paré, Nancy Allen, Eric Christmas, Bobby Di Cicco, Louise Latham

1984 | 102 min | Science Fiction, Adventure, Thriller

Weeknight Watch

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With middling reviews (50% on Rotten Tomatoes) and a lukewarm 6.1 out of 10 from audiences, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing, sci-fi fans and adventure fans. If you loved Interstellar, start here.
The mood: Tense, mind-bending.
The pace: Fast-moving, at 1 hr 42 min.
What might put you off: Nothing much: an easy pick for most people.

Based on an "actual event" that took place in 1943. About a US Navy Destroyer Escort that disappeared from the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, and sent two men 40 years into the future to 1984.

How it earned its rating

CriticsBelow par
50% on Rotten Tomatoes, 44 on Metacritic
AudiencesBelow par
6.1 out of 10
AwardsNot counted
Awards data unavailable, so this isn't counted
Box office & staying powerBelow par
$8 million worldwide on a $9 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 94K people sought it out in the past year