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Poster for Forbidden Planet

Forbidden Planet

Seen it?

1956 | 98 min | Science Fiction, Adventure

Saturday Special

Why it’s a Saturday Special

Critics loved it (94% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it's still drawing plenty of interest. A strong pick for the weekend.

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 adventure fans. If you loved Aliens or The Abyss, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Exciting.
The pace
Moves along nicely, at 1 hr 38 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated G, but scary moments.
  • Made in 1956: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Starship C57D travels to planet Altair 4 in search of the crew of spaceship "Bellerophon," a scientific expedition that has been missing for twenty years. They find themselves unwelcome by the expedition's lone survivor and warned of destruction by an invisible force if they don't turn back immediately.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 80 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.3 out of 10

  • AwardsBelow par

    Nominated for 1 Oscar.

  • Box office & staying powerSolid

    $5 million worldwide on a $2 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 284K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Fred M. Wilcox

  • Walter PidgeonDr. Edward Morbius
  • Anne FrancisAltaira Morbius
  • Leslie NielsenCommander John J. Adams
  • Warren StevensLt. 'Doc' Ostrow
  • Jack KellyLt. Jerry Farman
  • Earl HollimanCookie
  • Richard AndersonChief Engineer Quinn
  • George D. WallaceBosun
  • Robert DixCrewman Grey
  • Jimmy ThompsonCrewman Youngerford