2012
Seen it?2009 | 158 min | Action, Adventure, Science Fiction
Weeknight WatchWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
It was a solid box office hit, but middling reviews (39% on Rotten Tomatoes) and a lukewarm 5.9 out of 10 from audiences held it back. 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 sci-fi fans and action fans. If you loved Independence Day or Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, start here.
- The mood
- Exciting.
- The pace
- Epic and sweeping, at 2 hr 38 min.
- What might put you off
- It's long: 2 hr 38 min.
Dr. Adrian Helmsley, part of a worldwide geophysical team investigating the effect on the earth of radiation from unprecedented solar storms, learns that the earth's core is heating up. He warns U.S. President Thomas Wilson that the crust of the earth is becoming unstable and that without proper preparations for saving a fraction of the world's population, the entire race is doomed. Meanwhile, writer Jackson Curtis stumbles on the same information. While the world's leaders race to build "arks" to escape the impending cataclysm, Curtis struggles to find a way to save his family. Meanwhile, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes of unprecedented strength wreak havoc around the world.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
39% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesBelow par
5.9 out of 10
- AwardsBelow par
2 wins and 12 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$791 million worldwide on a $200 million budget; spent 1 week in Netflix's global Top 10; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 730K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Roland Emmerich
- John CusackJackson Curtis
- Amanda PeetKate Curtis
- Chiwetel EjioforAdrian Helmsley
- Thandiwe NewtonLaura Wilson
- Oliver PlattCarl Anheuser
- Tom McCarthyGordon Silberman
- Woody HarrelsonCharlie Frost
- Danny GloverPresident Thomas Wilson
- Liam JamesNoah Curtis
- Morgan LilyLilly Curtis