When Worlds Collide
Seen it?1951 | 83 min | Science Fiction, Drama
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (81% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it won an Oscar, though it had a lukewarm 6.4 out of 10 from audiences. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for sci-fi fans. If you loved The Martian or War of the Worlds, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 23 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1951: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
When a group of astronomers calculate a star is on a course to slam into Earth, a few days before, it's accompanying planet will first pass close enough to the Earth to cause havoc on land and sea. They set about building a rocket so a few selected individuals can escape to the planet.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
81% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesBelow par
6.4 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 Oscar: Best Special Effects. Also nominated for 1 more Oscar.
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$2 million worldwide on a $936K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 75K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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War of the Worlds
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Cast & crew
Directed by Rudolph Maté
- Richard DerrDavid Randall
- Barbara RushJoyce Hendron
- Peter HansenDr. Tony Drake
- John HoytSydney Stanton
- Larry KeatingDr. Cole Hendron
- Rachel AmesJulie Cummings
- Stephen ChaseDr. George Frye
- Frank CadyHarold Ferris
- Hayden RorkeDr. Emery Bronson
- Sandro GiglioDr. Ottinger