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Watch Battleship with a subscription on Netflix, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

What to Know

It may offer energetic escapism for less demanding filmgoers, but Battleship is too loud, poorly written, and formulaic to justify its expense -- and a lot less fun than its source material.

Audience Reviews

Cast & crew.

Taylor Kitsch

Lt. Alex Hopper

Alexander Skarsgård

Petty Officer Cora Raikes

Brooklyn Decker

Tadanobu Asano

Capt. Yugi Nagata

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Over-the-top sci-fi action with great special effects.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Characters rise to the occasion to sacrifice thems

Stone Hopper is the picture of a selfless commandi

As with most alien-invasion films, there's a h

A few passionate kisses, a shot of a couple in bed

Two implied uses of "motherf--er" (the l

The movie is based on the Hasbro board game, and H

Some drinking early in the film: Adult brothers do

Parents need to know that Battleship (inspired by the classic Hasbro board game) is the kind of summer alien adventure that, like Independence Day, features a doomsday alien invasion that only a select armed forces group can fight against. As you'd expect, there's a high body count -- mostly…

Positive Messages

Characters rise to the occasion to sacrifice themselves for the greater good, summon their bravery to take a stand against the aliens, and learn to think first and act later, even if they're usually impetuous people. Although violence is the story's ultimate problem-solver, Battleship is still a story of courage under fire and cooperating to target a common enemy.

Positive Role Models

Stone Hopper is the picture of a selfless commanding officer; he's smart, decisive, and brave. Alex learns to step up after he's forced to command the ship and, with the help of a core group of officers, becomes the kind of leader his brother would be proud of -- especially when he teams up with a rival Japanese officer to figure out how to defeat the aliens. A retired Army veteran, who's also a double amputee, displays leadership and courage.

Violence & Scariness

As with most alien-invasion films, there's a huge body count. The aliens wipe out two entire ships, destroy a number of buildings, and cause widespread deaths in Hawaii and China, as well as worldwide panic. A few well-liked secondary characters die. Lots of explosions and gun violence, as well as some minor brawling among the rival naval officers. Characters are shown bloodied from close calls, as well as moments before their ships explode.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

A few passionate kisses, a shot of a couple in bed, and the male star is shown wearing just a towel after coming out of the shower. One female character wears particularly tight or revealing clothes, even when she's working as a physical therapist. In one scene, she kisses her boyfriend while wearing only a string bikini top and very short shorts.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Two implied uses of "motherf--er" (the last part is covered up by an explosion both times). Other words include "s--t," "ass," "hell," "bitch," "damn," "idiot," "oh my God," "goddamn," and the like.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

The movie is based on the Hasbro board game, and Hasbro is credited as one of the production companies. There's one segment in which grid coordinates are called out just like in the game. Otherwise, there aren't any major product placements within the movie itself -- but there lots of tie-in products available, from special editions of the board game to first-person shooter video games, apps, toys, and more.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Some drinking early in the film: Adult brothers do shots for a birthday at a bar where others are also consuming alcohol. The main character gets drunk and makes some iffy decisions as a result.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Battleship (inspired by the classic Hasbro board game) is the kind of summer alien adventure that, like Independence Day , features a doomsday alien invasion that only a select armed forces group can fight against. As you'd expect, there's a high body count -- mostly due to all of the building- and ship-destroying explosions that the aliens -- though not much gore. Many high-tech weapons are used, one female character dresses somewhat suggestively, and the language can be occasionally salty -- "s--t," "bitch," and two cut-off exclamations of "motherf--er." Although the effects-heavy action is filled with scenes of targeted violence, there are ultimately some positive messages about rising to the occasion and overcoming your fears. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

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Community Reviews

• Parents say (8)
• Kids say (43)

Based on 8 parent reviews

More than meets the eye

What's the story.

Hawaiian beach bum Alex Hopper ( Taylor Kitsch ) is a mess, and he proves as much on his 26th birthday, when he drunkenly breaks into a convenience store to steal a burrito for a potential date with Sam, a beautiful bar patron ( Brooklyn Decker ) who happens to be the admiral's ( Liam Neeson ) daughter. To turn his life around, Alex joins the Navy, where his big brother, Stone ( Alexander Skarsgard ), is an officer. Four years later, Alex is a hot-headed lieutenant trying to summon the courage to ask for Sam's hand in marriage, but his efforts are foiled when, during a war games exercise with the Japanese, a series of unidentifiable objects appears in the Pacific Ocean, creating an impenetrable field around three ships. After the objects are revealed to be aliens -- who destroy two of the ships -- Alex ends up the senior officer of the gathered forces, forcing him to cooperate with the Japanese to bring down the alien enemies.

Is It Any Good?

Alien invasion films are ridiculously stereotypical, and BATTLESHIP is no exception. But what it lacks in originality, it makes up for in pretty spectacular special effects and sea-faring action sequences. This is no thinking viewer's war drama; this is the sort of big-budget spectacle to enjoy once on the big screen and maybe once more to give your home surround-sound a work out. After the unfortunate flop that was John Carter , Kitsch gets another shot at playing the hero, and he does it well. There's no finesse in the dialogue, but Kitsch is just right playing gorgeous rogues with a heart of gold -- as anyone who watched and loved Friday Night Lights knows.

As a bonus to FNL fans, director Peter Berg once again casts Jesse Plemmons as the nerdy guy who's always quick with the wisecrack. His boatswain character offers consistently good comic relief, as well as a decent acting partner for Rihanna 's debut as a hard-as-nails weapons specialist. While Battleship 's script is far from the layered finesse of, say, The Avengers , the action is exactly what you'd expect from an explosive summer popcorn flick. Tweens and teens -- especially boys -- will get a kick out of the military tactics and the broad humor (look, kids, elderly veterans curse!), while grown-ups might wonder if they've seen the same movie every summer for the past 15 years.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about Battleship 's violence. How does the fact that much of it is larger than life affect its impact ? How is it different watching aliens get hurt than human characters?

What are some of the cliches associated with alien-invasion movies? Why are they such a popular genre to release in the summer?

This movie marks Rihanna's transition from music to film. Was her celebrity status as a pop superstar distracting in the role?

Why do rogue characters like Alex tend be more compelling than always-good characters like Stone?

Movie Details

• In theaters : May 18, 2012
• On DVD or streaming : August 28, 2012
• Cast : Alexander Skarsgard , Liam Neeson , Taylor Kitsch
• Director : Peter Berg
• Studio : Universal Pictures
• Genre : Action/Adventure
• Topics : Space and Aliens
• Run time : 131 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG-13
• MPAA explanation : intense sequences of violence, action and destruction, and for language
• Last updated : December 4, 2023

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"This could be like Columbus and the Indians," a nerdy radio astronomer worries. "Except we're the Indians." From a powerful transmission facility in Hawaii, he's supervised the transmission of a signal to the Earth-like Planet G in another galaxy, and in no time at all, aliens come calling. Considering that they arrive in weeks, they must have discovered faster-than-light speeds, so it's a little strange that when they arrive they're strictly analog. Their vast warships splash down in the Pacific (except for fragments that devastate Hong Kong in one of those toppling skyscraper scenes so beloved in disaster movies). But these alien crafts are only armed at a level that makes their battle with U.S. warships more or less a standoff.

Why would the U.S. fleet conveniently already be near the splashdown point? It's involved in war games with allies such as Japan, which provides an excuse for a Japanese officer to take temporary command of one of our ships and thus boost the grosses of "Battleship" in Asia. It's also handy that the aliens create a force field that forms an impenetrable barrier around their craft, which seals in three U.S. ships, locks out all other ships and explains why our jets don't simply nuke the SOB.

Of course, in the old B-movie tradition, our response to the alien visit is immediately military. There's not one word of discussion about the aliens possibly just making a social call. We invite them, they come and we open fire. This despite the fact that they're remarkably humanoid; when we finally remove the helmet from one alien's spacesuit, he turns out to look alarmingly like James Carville .

In the set-up, we meet a shiftless beach bum named Alex Hopper ( Taylor Kitsch ), whose brother Stone ( Alexander Skarsgard ) is a naval officer. In a bar, Alex hits on the lithesome Samantha Shane ( Brooklyn Decker ), who wouldn't you know is the daughter of the admiral of the fleet ( Liam Neeson ). Breaking into a convenience store to get her a burrito, Alex is arrested and his brother delivers an ultimatum: Join the Navy or else.

Meanwhile, the nerdy Cal ( Hamish Linklater ) supervises transmission of the signal to Planet G, and in no more time than it takes to get Alex into uniform and on board a U.S. destroyer, five alien spacecraft enter our solar system in tight formation. One alien craft then levitates from the ocean depths, as large as a skyscraper and bristling with ominous protrusions. You gotta say it takes real nerve for a communications officer (Rihanna) and two seamen to speed over to it in a rubber boat armed with just a machinegun.

In a parallel story, we learn Samantha is a physical therapist working with the Army vet Mick Canales (real-life Iraq hero Gregory D. Gadson). She takes him on a hike up the mountainside where the big NASA radio dishes are located, they meet the nerd, and much depends on preventing the aliens from phoning home. In the Pentagon situation room, officials fret. There's the obligatory montage of cable news reports on the alien invasion, and the U.S. destroyers exchange fire with the aliens. Two ships are destroyed, including the one commanded by Stone, and after several officers on Alex's ship die, he turns out to be next in command and becomes the captain of the surviving U.S. destroyer. So that's convenient. The characters we met at the beginning all become the key players.

"Battleship" is based on the Hasbro board game of the same name, unplayed by me. You get a sense of that when radar doesn't work, and Rihanna figures out a way to deduce the underwater movements of the alien craft by tracking wave patterns on a grid with old-fashioned weather buoys. The film eventually comes down to lots of scenes in which things get "blowed up real good." One alien weapon is especially fearsome: a large metal ball with spikes, which rolls through things and flattens them. Were less sophisticated versions of this used in medieval times, maybe made of flaming tar balls?

The film is in the tradition of the " Transformers " movies, also based on Hasbro games, and you get the feeling that Hasbro showed director Peter Berg some Michael Bay movies and told him to go and do likewise. To his credit, "Battleship" is a more entertaining film than the "Transformers" titles, because it has slightly more fully fleshed characters, a better plot and a lot of naval combat strategy. The work of Gregory D. Gadson, as the disabled vet, is especially effective; he has a fierce screen presence. Rihanna is as convincing as the character allows, and Taylor Kitsch makes a sturdy if predictable hero.

But the nicest touch is that "Battleship" has an honest-to-God third act, instead of just settling for nonstop fireballs and explosions, as Bay likes to do. I don't want to spoil it for you. Let's say the Greatest Generation still has the right stuff and leave it at that.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

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Battleship (2012)

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, action and destruction and for language

131 minutes

Taylor Kitsch as Alex Hopper

Rihanna as Cora Raikes

Brooklyn Decker as Samantha

Alexander Skarsgard as Stone Hopper

Liam Neeson as Admiral Shane

Hamish Linklater as Cal Zapata

Directed by

• Erich Hoeber

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• Cast & crew
• User reviews

A fleet of ships is forced to do battle with an armada of unknown origins in order to discover and thwart their destructive goals. A fleet of ships is forced to do battle with an armada of unknown origins in order to discover and thwart their destructive goals. A fleet of ships is forced to do battle with an armada of unknown origins in order to discover and thwart their destructive goals.

• Erich Hoeber
• Alexander Skarsgård
• Brooklyn Decker
• Liam Neeson
• 1K User reviews
• 392 Critic reviews
• 41 Metascore
• 4 wins & 16 nominations

• Commander Stone Hopper

• Admiral Shane

• Petty Officer Cora 'Weps' Raikes

• Lieutenant Alex Hopper

• Captain Yugi Nagata

• Secretary of Defense

• Chief Petty Officer Walter 'The Beast' Lynch

• Boatswain Mate Seaman Jimmy 'Ordy' Ord

• Lieutenant Colonel Mick Canales

• Sampson JOOD Strodell

• Dr. Nogrady

• Captain Browley

• Chief Engineer Hiroki

• (as Stephen C. Bishop)
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

Did you know

• Trivia The veterans of the U.S.S. Missouri that Stone Hopper mentions are real life vets of the U.S.S. Missouri. Some served in World War II.
• Goofs When the full reverse command was given, an underwater view showed the propellers reversing their rotation. Arleigh Burke destroyers utilize reversible pitch propellers and therefore do not change their rotational direction during reversing maneuvers, they simply change the pitch of the blades to provide reversing thrust.

[after Hopper's tactic destroys the alien ship]

Captain Yugi Nagata : I can't believe that worked!

Alex Hopper : Yeah, Art of War, "fight the enemy where they aren't." After all these years, that finally just clicked.

Captain Yugi Nagata : But that's not what it means.

Alex Hopper : ...Really?

Captain Yugi Nagata : Not even close.

• Crazy credits There is an additional final scene after the end credits.
• Connections Featured in Projector: Battleship (2012)
• Soundtracks Interstate Love Song Written by Dean DeLeo , Robert DeLeo , Eric Kretz and Scott Weiland Performed by Stone Temple Pilots Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp. By Arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing

User reviews 1K

• Dec 3, 2014

Everything New on Netflix in April

• In the movie, it is shown that three alien aerial units ( called the Shredder Drones ) are sent to destroy a city bridge on the Hawaii island. Why did they destroy this city bridge ?
• What is the aliens HUD computing system registering when their HUD is highlighting human eyes ?
• Why was singer Rihanna cast in this movie?
• May 18, 2012 (United States)
• United States
• Official Facebook
• Official site
• O'ahu, Hawaii, USA
• Universal Pictures
• Bluegrass Films
• See more company credits at IMDbPro
• $209,000,000 (estimated)
• $65,422,625
• $25,534,825
• May 20, 2012
• $303,025,485

Technical specs

• Runtime 2 hours 11 minutes
• Dolby Digital

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Tomatometer Watch: Battleship

People couldn’t believe the news when it was first announced but here we are: A movie adaptation of a Hasbro board game, Battleship , has an imminent American release. Jumping head first into international waters, Universal has already released the film in dozens of countries — in fact, the United States will be the last to host Battleship in theaters when it hits our shores May 18. For the critics who have seen it, what did they think?

“Impressive visual effects and Berg’s epic set pieces fight against an armada of cinematic clichés and some truly awful dialogue,” from a Rotten Hollywood Reporter review by Megan Lehmann.

“[Floats]…on the strength of its boyish, eager-to-please razzle-dazzle,” from a Fresh Variety review by Guy Lodge.

“If you found Transformers just a touch too subtle, this is the film for you,” from a Rotten Guardian review by Catherine Shoard.

“All you can do is raise the white flag and surrender to the film’s awesome silliness,” from a Fresh Movie Talk review by Jason Best.

In a nutshell, critics are astonished by its pure blockbuster simplicity — whether that’s a good or bad thing falls squarely to individual interpretation. If the Tomatometer score holds, this will continue lead actor Taylor Kitsch’s Rotten streak (out of his 7 credited movies, none are Fresh). Director Peter Berg has not had a Fresh movie since 2004’s Friday Night Lights .

What do you think? Will Battleship be Fresh or Rotten?

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Battleship: film review.

Universal's noisy alien-invasion tentpole plays like just-add-water "Transformers."

By Megan Lehmann

Megan Lehmann

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Rihanna has won four Grammys and is nominated for four more awards in the 2012 Grammy's including Album of the year for her work on 'Loud'.

The grid-based board game that provides the jumping-off point for this extravagantly noisy spectacle is not known for its narrative thrust, and neither is Battleship particularly interested in story.

At once silly and overly ponderous, it is a long-winded exercise in cartoonish war games pitting a splinter section of the U.S. Navy against invading aliens — a sort of just-add-water Transformers . But those looking for big, loud sci-fi action will find plenty to like here as director Peter Berg ( Hancock, Friday Night Lights ) pumps up the volume on clashing military hardware and flag-waving heroics. The Universal release should open strongly in international markets and gather steam heading into its U.S. release on May 18.

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A rather niftily engineered sequence midway through Battleship references the board game owned by Hasbro, the company that’s already made millions from its Transformers and G.I. Joe franchises. It’s a rare offering of wit from screenwriting brothers Erich  and Jon Hoeber ( RED ), who otherwise ensure the impressive visual effects and Berg’s epic set pieces fight against an armada of cinematic clichés and some truly awful dialogue.

“Let’s see if we can buy the world another day!” is one veteran soldier’s rallying cry, while elsewhere Taylor Kitsch ’s maverick hero weathers a half-hour barrage of alien strikes before muttering, “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

Risible, yes. But who could expect more from the one-dimensional characters Berg moves around on the board — sorry, screen — as they shout to be heard above the clank and screech of metal and Steve Jablonsky ’s blaring score. At least no one’s taking things too seriously, with pop star Rihanna seemingly having the most fun as a plucky weapons specialist who scampers about the USS John Paul Jones making things go boom.

VIDEO: ‘Battleship’ Trailer

The ship is one of three left stranded inside a force field after a fleet of gigantic alien spaceships interrupts a routine exercise between Japanese and American sailors off the coast of Hawaii.

The extraterrestrials have been summoned by an exploratory signal sent into the depths of space, and although the bristly bearded creatures come across as more curious than overtly hostile, a trigger-happy Navy engages and enters the fray.

Alex Hopper (Kitsch) is the loose-cannon lieutenant suddenly charged with saving the world from what one character solemnly dubs “an extinction-level threat.” He’s a formerly long-haired slacker who has cleaned up his act and joined the Navy after an ultimatum from his straitlaced captain brother, Stone ( Alexander Skarsgard ).

Alex is still hot-headed, though, which gets him in trouble with grouchy Admiral Crane ( Liam Neeson in a paycheck role), the father of his lissom fiancee, Samantha ( Brooklyn Decker ). Samantha is a physical therapist who has her own role to play in saving the world from destruction: Back on shore, she teams up with a double-amputee war hero (real-life Iraq veteran Gregory D. Gadson) and a comic-relief communications nerd ( Hamish Linklater ) to prevent the ETs from phoning home.

Kitsch, coming off the super-flop John Carter , soft-pedals the charm, exuding just enough charisma to get by. The striking-looking Skarsgard ( True Blood ) is ramrod-straight and impossibly grave throughout, while Decker’s expression toggles between blank and very blank.        

There’s much to admire in the enthusiasm and craft Berg brings to the action, but in the wake of the Transformers movies’ success, the look is obviously funneled through a Michael Bay-shaped aperture.

Production company: BluegrassFilms/Film 44 Cast: Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgard, Rihanna, Brooklyn Decker, Liam Neeson, Tadanobu Asano, Hamish Linklater Director: Peter Berg Screenwriters: Erich Hoeber and Jon Hoeber Producers: Brian Goldner, Scott Stuber, Peter Berg, Sarah Aubrey, Duncan Henderson, Bennett Schneir Executive producers: Jonathan Mone, Braden Aftergood Co-producer: Todd Arnow Director of photography: Tobias Schliessler Production designer: Neil Spisak Costume designer: Louise Mingenbach Music: Steve Jablonsky Editors: Colby Parker Jr., Billy Rich, Paul Rubell Rated PG-13, 131 minutes

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Battleship – review

I t is an inevitability that the line "I've got a bad feeling about this" will pop up in Battleship, a movie inspired by a board game, with all the innovation of a dot-to-dot puzzle. What makes Battleship special is the lateness of its deployment: the line pops up after the alien invasion, following the destruction of Hong Kong and once two of the (four-strong) fleet of tugs that are our only hope of salvation have been blown to bits. If you found Transformers just a touch too subtle, this is the film for you. It might still be even if you didn't: there's something of the big dumb puppy to Battleship, whose risible tricks unite the crowd in indulgent giggles. Liam Neeson is our steely commander; navy recruits Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgård and Rihanna run about decks getting fetchingly wet and barking: "I don't know why – just make sure your ass is on it." It's also one of the noisiest films you'll see, soundtracked by the endless gargle of engine-room groans, with counterpoint from the hydraulically-powered armour in which our aliens lumber puffily about.

• Action and adventure films
• Liam Neeson
• Alexander Skarsgård

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The Ending Of Battleship Explained

Hollywood has a long history of adapting popular intellectual properties as big, loud blockbusters. Studios are keen to bring in the moolah and making movies inspired by popular pre-existing entertainment often seems like a risk-free bet. Sometimes, though, things don't quite pan out. When Universal Pictures unleashed "Battleship" in 2012 , they probably felt that an adaptation of a longstanding board game was a great idea — especially considering that its premise lent itself to war movie tropes. That said, the "Battleship" film took some liberties with the game's concept (which is arguably fair considering that the game has been around since 1931), replacing the traditional warship-versus-warship scenario with an alien invasion storyline. Aliens travel in battleships of their own, so it's not such a far-fetched notion when you think about it. Plus, an alien-themed edition of the board game was even released to coincide with the film's release. 

Unfortunately, "Battleship" sunk at the box office, and, as Rotten Tomatoes pointed out, critics concluded that the film was "too loud, poorly written, and formulaic to justify its expense. While many regard "Battleship" as one of the worst movies of the 2010s , some movie fans might argue that "Battleship" is an enjoyable piece of popcorn entertainment that delivers bombastic action and thrills. Either way, "Battleship" was released with long-term goals in mind if the film's ending is anything to go by. 

The hero matures and proves his worth at the end of Battleship

"Battleship" is all about the spectacle, but there is enough character development throughout the film to remain invested in the hero's journey. When Alex (Taylor Kitsch) is first introduced, he's a screw-up who just can't stop getting into trouble. This leads to him getting into a fight with another officer, which upsets Admiral Terrance Shane (Liam Neeson). Alex risks being expelled from the naval unit, and it's going to take something big for him to get back in his commanding officer's good graces. 

The good news is that the alien invasion comes along before Alex can be dismissed, and it gives him the opportunity to prove that he can be a mature young man. Following an action-packed battle with the creatures from beyond the stars, Alex ultimately saves the day by blowing up their mothership and destroying their equipment. This earns him a Silver Star and an offer to command his own ship eventually. At its core, "Battleship" is a story about one man who's out to prove his self-worth and prove that he's capable of overcoming his faults, mainly because he wants to win his girlfriend's hand in marriage.

The closing moments of "Battleship" also suggest that the filmmakers had plans to make a sequel which would have seen Alex tasked with more responsibilities now that he's a proven hero. And if the post-credits sequence was anything to go by, that was probably the plan.

Battleship's post-credits scene sets up a sequel

Alex and co. assume that the Earth is safe at the end of "Battleship," but the alien threat hasn't been eradicated by any means. The post-credits scene swaps the United States for the Scottish Highlands, revealing three school kids and a handyman who discover a crashed alien pod. Naturally, they open it and an alien hand comes popping out, causing them to run away screaming in terror.

The change of location, coupled with a surviving alien, was a clear sign that "Battleship" was supposed to be the start of a potential globetrotting franchise. Peter Berg confirmed as much in an interview with MTV News as well. After acknowledging that "Battleship" flopped hard at the box office — which he blamed on the film being released around the same time as "The Avengers," which was a massive success — the director revealed that he'd love to helm a follow-up movie someday. "'Battleship' is a film that I would definitely like to do a sequel to. I loved making that film. I had a great time with it," he said.

Berg didn't share any information about what the story for "Battleship 2" could entail, though the first movie gives viewers enough clues to make viable predictions. Most of "Battleship" is about humans trying to prevent the aliens contacting their home planet. Therefore, it's safe to assume that the surviving extra-terrestrial would have touched base with its allies and inspired a revenge mission.  

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2012 Directed by Peter Berg

The Battle for Earth Begins at Sea

When mankind beams a radio signal into space, a reply comes from ‘Planet G’, in the form of several alien crafts that splash down in the waters off Hawaii. Lieutenant Alex Hopper is a weapons officer assigned to the USS John Paul Jones, part of an international naval coalition which becomes the world's last hope for survival as they engage the hostile alien force of unimaginable strength. While taking on the invaders, Hopper must also try to live up to the potential that his brother, and his fiancée's father—an Admiral—expect of him.

Taylor Kitsch Tadanobu Asano Rihanna Brooklyn Decker Gregory D. Gadson Hamish Linklater Liam Neeson Alexander Skarsgård Jerry Ferrara Jesse Plemons John Tui David Jensen Peter Berg Adam Godley Rico McClinton Joji Yoshida Stephen Bishop Austin Naulty James Rawlings Dustin J. Reno Rick Hoffman Gary Grubbs Rami Malek Peter MacNicol Louis Lombardi Doug Penty Carson Aune Josh Pence Lloyd Pitts Show All… Michelle Arthur Natalia Castellanos Leni Ito Jackie Johnson Kerry Cahill Norman Vincent McLafferty Dante Jimenez Daven Arce Ralph Richardson Biunca Love Kyle Clements Yutaka Takeuchi John A Weaver Dane Justman Drew Rausch Bill Stinchcomb John Bell Arlene Newman George O'Hanlon Jr. Jay Jackson Joe Chrest

Director Director

Producers producers.

Bennett Schneir Peter Berg Sarah Aubrey Duncan Henderson Scott Stuber Brian Goldner Candice D. Campos Wendy Wong Renee Confair

Writers Writers

Erich Hoeber Jon Hoeber

Casting Casting

Jamie Castro John Brace Linda Lowy

Editors Editors

Colby Parker Jr. Billy Rich Paul Rubell

Cinematography Cinematography

Tobias A. Schliessler

Assistant Directors Asst. Directors

Michael J. Moore Eric Heffron Richard Oswald

Lighting Lighting

Bob E. Krattiger Dan Riffel Jason Gross Blair Werschler Ross Wallis Christopher Ahrens

Camera Operators Camera Operators

Robby Baumgartner Don King Chris Moseley Maurice K. McGuire Chris Haarhoff Duane Manwiller Patrick B. O'Brien

Additional Photography Add. Photography

Larry Blanford Bobby Davison

Production Design Production Design

Neil Spisak

Art Direction Art Direction

William Ladd Skinner Scott P. Murphy Aaron Haye Mark Robert Taylor

Set Decoration Set Decoration

Larry Dias Robert Andrew Johnson Jann K. Engel Darrell L. Wight K. Wing Chin Daniel Coulthard Joe Viau George Hess Marcus Epps Benton E. Tedlie Jana Treadwell Antonio Andraus Ron Cookson Karl Weaver Michael C. Magno Gordon Thomas Daniel Hamilton Joe Pfaltzgraf Daniel A. Maes Rick Reeder

Visual Effects Visual Effects

Jeanmarie King Pete Jopling Dominic Sidoli Colleen Jenkinson Grady Cofer Nathan McGuinness Rick Lupton Pablo Helman Stephan Trojansky David Sanger Robert E. Evans Kevin Elam Danielle Plantec Paul Mitchell Winston Helgason Aaron McBride Chris Harvey Jean-Denis Haas Rick O'Connor Maia Kayser John Zdankiewicz Takayuki Sato Hiroshi Mori Jeanie King

Stunts Stunts

Kevin Scott Sala Baker Shauna Duggins Janene Carleton

Composer Composer

Steve Jablonsky

Sound Sound

Frank A. Montaño Andy Koyama Darren King Yann Delpuech Shaughnessy Hare Barbara Delpuech Mike McKone Dan Yale Gregory King Beau Borders Chris Scarabosio Paul Massey Paul Ledford Stefan Fraticelli John Sievert Ron Mellegers Randy Wilson Trent Richmond

Costume Design Costume Design

Kimberly A. Tillman Louise Mingenbach Roberto Craciunica

Makeup Makeup

Jeff Dawn Allan A. Apone Cheri Minns Steve LaPorte

Hairstyling Hairstyling

Yolanda Mercadel Mahealani Diego Mary L. Mastro

Universal Pictures Hasbro Bluegrass Films Film 44 October Pictures dentsu

Hong Kong Japan USA

Primary Language

Spoken languages.

English Japanese

Releases by Date

11 apr 2012, 12 apr 2012, 13 apr 2012, 18 apr 2012, 19 apr 2012, 20 apr 2012, 03 may 2012, 10 may 2012, 11 may 2012, 18 may 2012, 21 aug 2012, 16 aug 2012, 15 sep 2020, 16 feb 2021, 22 aug 2012, 23 aug 2012, 28 aug 2012, 17 jan 2017, 01 jun 2017, releases by country.

• Theatrical M
• Theatrical 14
• Theatrical C
• Theatrical PG-13
• Theatrical 12
• Theatrical 15

Dominican Republic

• Theatrical TP
• Digital VOD
• Physical DVD & Blu-Ray
• Physical 4K UHD
• Digital Prime Video
• Digital Netflix
• Theatrical 16
• Theatrical Κ-12
• Physical DVD
• Physical BluRay
• Theatrical 12A
• Theatrical T
• Theatrical N-13

Netherlands

New zealand, philippines.

• Theatrical 12+
• Theatrical M/12

Russian Federation

South korea.

• Theatrical 7
• Theatrical น 13+
• Physical PG-13 DVD, Blu-ray
• Physical PG-13 4K UHD

131 mins   More at IMDb TMDb Report this page

Popular reviews

Review by Samuel Scott ★½ 4

Review by Tim Portis ★ 4

Battleshit.

Review by Matt ½

This battleship was sunk even before Rihanna yells "Mahalo, motherfucker!" at a Beyblade...I mean, a Transformer...I mean, fuck this movie.

Review by matt lynch ★★★½ 11

as many have said, the nice Michael Bay movie. reverential in its depiction of the military without the jingoism. plenty of space for women and people of color, the elderly, the disabled, and more. not a testament to American exceptionalism. the technologically superior invading force with an unclear agenda is depicted as attempting to somewhat minimize collateral casualties, and even the product placement is relatively tasteful...shit, Hong Kong gets trashed here too. you might argue that Berg's camera isn't as dynamic as Bay's (and you'd be right, it's not), but you might just as readily argue that it's simply more appropriately restrained. personally i prefer the uglier version, Bay's Mirror-Universe mustachioed Spock to Berg's clean-shaven (though not necessarily logical) one. for my money it's not nearly as cruelly tantalizing or as viscerally potent. but on the other hand it does have Rihanna pulling the trigger on an M134 minigun.

Review by Chris Evangelista ★½ 2

A movie so stupid it's actually impressive. Like, you would have to *try* to make something this stupid.

– Alexander Skarsgård plays a character named Stone Hopper – Rihanna *refuses* to take her hat off; there's even a scene where she falls into the water and makes sure to hold her hat on – Liam Neeson shows up for a few minutes, vanishes, then comes back at the end to remind you he's still here – Multiple AC/DC needle drops – Taylor Kitsch is a void; he watches his brother explode and doesn't show even a trace of emotion – not even an eye-twitch – Really glad Jesse Plemons doesn't have to do these sorts of movies anymore – Okay, the ball-chain-thing is pretty cool – The aliens all have chin whiskers that make them look like Abe Lincoln – Send Peter Berg to The Hague

Review by maneleeo ★ 2

Did I just watch military propaganda disguised as a film adaptation of the game "Battleship"?

Review by Josh Lewis ★★ 1

Don't really get the point in doing Michael Bay without the gorgeously overcranked stylistic tics or unhinged, evil shit.

Review by Andy Summers 🤠 ★★★½ 1

Rihanna got wet, do you think she forgot her umbrella, ella, ella.

Review by Zeeshan Ali ★★★½ 2

Don't know why this film has negative reviews. One of the best survival movies I have ever seen without any distraction. It has slow pace at first and picks up once the aliens arrives in full swing with lots of action. Kudos to the graphics department, it was very realistic and detailed. Background music plays vital role in creating couple of goosebumbs moments.

Review by One Godfella 侍 ★★½

If any foreign minister begins to defend to the death a ‘peace conference', you can be sure his government has already placed its orders for new battleships and airplanes.

It's not totally battleshit.

Review by DirkH ½ 9

What?? How did this happen?? This should have been a masterpiece, right??? I mean, it's based on a boardgame!! It should have been fantastic!! Right????

Yeah, right.....

Review by Joe Lynch ★★★½

I still unabashedly love this movie. Is it because it’s a Peter Berg flick and I dig his kinetic, hectic style even if this is him going “Full Bayhem” with a ludicrous IP?  Is it due to my shock in enjoying the fuck out of it when I stumbled into it when it was released while waiting to see THE DICTATOR and that lack of expectation threw me? I think these things every time I revisit it while showing anyone who hasn’t seen and again, I enjoy every sloppy, slapdash, bombastic moment.  I’d take this over-flared, over needle-dropped, over-cast, over-baked monstrosity over any TRANSFORMERS movie any day, sue me.  And anyone who doesn’t get adrenalized chills when “Thunderstruck” comes on (arguably the best use of the AC/DC song after many failed attempts over the years in other films) during the third act rally montage with the real veterans setting up the old battleship lacks a pulse.

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Screen Rant

Why battleship 2 was cancelled.

Battleship 2012 was a major blockbuster, with a budget of over $200 million. However, a second movie never came to fruition – here's why.

Even though Universal and Hasbro Studios' 2012 blockbuster Battleship was a huge investment for the company, plans for Battleship 2 and an extended franchise never came to fruition. The movie boasted a gargantuan budget of between $209-$220 million and stars including Taylor Kitsch, Liam Neeson, and Rihanna. And yet, despite having all the hallmarks of a franchise launchpad, the movie failed to kickstart a successful Battleship series.

Battleship 2012 was an unusual combination of unorthodox adaptation and sci-fi epic. Based on the distinctly uncinematic Battleship board game , screenwriters Jon and Erich Hoeber decided to shake up the turn-based, pin-placing formula by making the story revolve around an alien invasion. Although this lore was entirely absent from the original game, this decision nonetheless helped form some sort of narrative around the source material. However, even with this story in place, Battleship did not succeed in laying the foundations for a potential sequel – despite a tease in the Battleship post-credits scene.

Battleship Was A Box Office Failure For Universal Pictures

The primary reason that Battleship 2 never happened was the first movie's failure at the box office. Against its $220 million budget, the movie only made around $303 million globally. Since most estimates suggest that a film has to make around two-and-a-half times its budget in order to be financially successful, Battleship fell well short of profitability. As such, plans for Battleship 2 were always likely to end in disappointment.

Particularly damning for the studio was its domestic box office earnings. According to Box Office Mojo , the movie made just $65.4 in the United States and Canada. This failure to capture any sort of audience at home was the major factor in its paltry total earnings. In fact, a contemporary Hollywood Reporter article estimated that the movie lost around $150 million for Universal. Consequently, Battleship 2 was never likely to be green-lit.

How Poor Reviews Also Led To Battleship 2's Cancelation

A key contributor to Battleship 's terrible box office was undoubtedly its critical reception. While it's not unheard of for panned movies to perform well financially, Battleship 's Rotten Tomatoes score of 33% certainly didn't help generate interest. To make matters worst, audiences were equally unenthused, with just 54% of general viewers responding positively, according to the review aggregator.

It's clear from Battleship 's post-credits scene that there were plans to continue the story beyond the first installment. However, given that a common complaint from critics was the formulaic and derivative nature of the plot, it seems unlikely that Battleship 2 would have brought anything radically different to the table. Given the huge losses incurred by the first Battleship , some studio executives may be secretly relieved that the project never went ahead.

Sources: Box Office Mojo , Rotten Tomatoes

Review: Battleship

Plot : The film begins in the year 2005 when NASA discovers a planet with conditions similar to Earth. Already the film is poorly written. NASA transmits some signals from a communications station located in Hawaii. We then see Alex Hopper (Taylor Kitsch of  John Carter ) meet a woman Samantha Shane (Brooklyn Decker bearing a resemblance to Charlize Theron) in a bar. In a stupid move, Alex breaks into a closed convenience store just to get her a chicken burrito. Police drama ensues. Alex’s older brother Commander Stone Hopper (Alexander Skarsgard), is furious when it is revealed Samatha’s father is Admiral Shane (Liam Neeson, smart enough to only appear on screen for ten minutes). As an alternative to get Alex’s life on track, Stone forces him to join the United States Navy.

In present day, Alex is promoted to lieutenant aboard the destroyer USS John Paul Jones. His brother Stone is commanding officer of USS Sampson. During the opening ceremony for the naval exercises Alex fights with Japanese officer Captain Nagata (Tadanobu Asano) who kicked Alex in the face during a soccer match and this is the final straw as he now faces dismissal after one last exercise but not if the aliens have anything to say about it. Five extraterrestrial ships arrive in response to the pesky NASA signal and all hell breaks loose as ships are destroyed except USS Jones. Alongside Alex is Petty Officer Cora ‘Weps’ Raikes, (Rihanna giving a petty performance), poorly delivering lines that rival the bad acting from “Act of Valor.” She even hums a song during one of the rare moments of silence during the loud movie. Meanwhile Samantha, who is a physical therapist, accompanies retired Army veteran and amputee Mick Canales (Gregory D. Gadson) on a mountain hike to assist him adjust to using his prosthetic legs.

Review : When I mentioned to several friends and colleagues about seeing “Battleship” I received an unexpected comment. To my surprise most of them responded, “You mean the new Rihanna movie?” Sadly, that’s what “Battleship” has going for it. People didn’t even confuse it with a Michael Bay film or a Jerry Brucheimer production like I did. The summer blockbuster adaptation to the board game, (if that makes sense or is a even a possibility), “Battleship” seems vaguely familiar. The quick edits, dramatic slow motion, the loud noises, and wide-angle shots consume most of the entire running time. The sci-fi action adventure from toy-company Hasbro sets the bar for noisiest and the dumbest Summer Movie of 2012.

According to early reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, many critics who have given a positive review to “Battleship” are in denial about its major weakness. They claim its self aware of the own stupidity. I disagree. This isn’t the cool kid in class acting dumb. ‘Battleship’ is the obnoxious class idiot who hasn’t figured out how to retain the teacher’s information. From my perspective, “Battleship” takes itself too seriously primarily toward the third act when veterans of war board the USS Missouri to fight the aliens. This isn’t ‘campy,’ but a full salute to those who serve in the military. No director or actor here is winking at the camera like say in a cheesy movie such as “Piranha 3D”.

The mechanical aliens resemble the robots from Transformers as the leap across the Pacific Ocean. One sequence features the main characters using a grid system much like the Battleship game. This happens in order to target alien ships that they can’t see on radar. It’s a throwback to the board game that’s barely tolerable. Most of “Battleship” is an unnecessary and at times an unbearable blockbuster. While watching “Battleship,” I was distracted by my love for TV’s underappreciated “Friday Night Lights.” (In my mind, I saw on screen Tim Riggins and Landry taking command of their ships. I really wanted Coach Taylor to show up for a pep talk.)

Peter Berg (the “Friday Night Lights” movie, “The Kingdom,” “Hancock”) constructs a miserable excuse for a summer film. The aliens are strikingly unoriginal almost laughably bad. The action sequences were boring and the dramatic human elements felt nauseating. In the context of say a film school, Peter Berg is a grade above Michael Bay and Brett Ratner, as in Berg gets a D while Bay and Ratner flunk out. In the wake of Joss Whedon’s “The Avengers” and with anticipation for Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight Rises,” the audience deserves so much better.

Rating: 3.75 out of 10 Battleship: The Noisy, Unbearable Summer Blockbuster of 2012 Sinks

About Kenny Miles

Whether something is overlooked by Hollywood or whatever business trend has captured the Entertainment Industry’s attention, Kenny Miles loves to talk about movies (especially the cultural impact of a film). He covers various aspects of movies including specialty genre films, limited release, independent, foreign language, documentary features, and THE much infamous "awards season." Also, he likes to offer his opinion on the business of film, marketing strategy, and branding. He currently resides in Denver, Colorado and is a member of the Denver Film Critics Society critics group. You can follow him on Twitter @kmiles723.

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One thought on “ review: battleship ”.

You scored this pretty much the same as I did, maybe a little higher in fact. I think Battleship might’ve had some actual relevancy if it came out during the 90’s. Alongside Independence Day and Armageddon perhaps? And by that I mean, skirted the line where a film is so bad it’s good. And even today when you re-watch them, you’ll enjoy the silly awesomeness. Battleship was just downright silly. The premise and the sheer motive to even making this film still boggles my mind. However that being said I guess I’m part of the problem in seemingly watching these ‘popcorn’ films.   Battleship definitely takes itself a bit seriously and I think it has to be, especially with how much respect they show towards the military. But take that away, you’re still left with an incredibly slow start, a shoehorned love story to start and close the film (yeah, that’s a spoiler, but honestly whatever), never explained reasons why the aliens invade or why they discriminate what they see in red and green, with all their advanced technology why did they only have ships that seemingly breast-stroked through the ocean to move, similarly I get it’s a plot point but how can you accidentally crash into a satellite sabotaging your own communications array upon entry into Earth, why were some aliens compassionate and others weren’t and really this list of anomalies is endless! But I digress in this type of film, sometimes things which should make sense and should be explained just never do or are. Actually scratch that, just don’t expect them to be. I think my favourite part of the movie was the explanation of how to play Battleship right before they literally play Battleship on-screen. I know it wasn’t supposed to be funny, but that moment had me seriously laughing.   Battleship is beyond forgettable. So much so if you’re interested in watching it, you might as well catch The Asylum’s ‘American Battleship’ starring Mario Van Peebles and Carl Weathers. At least it doesn’t pretend not to be terrible.

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The 47 Best Movies on HBO Max Right Now (April 2024)

Another streaming service means another vast library of titles to sift through to find what you want to watch. Max is the streaming service from WarnerMedia, hosting not just titles from the pay cable channel HBO, but a bevy of films from the Warner Bros. library and other studios. There’s a great selection of classics, fairly new releases, quirky indies, and yes, superhero movies. The studio behind The Dark Knight and Man of Steel has a solid number of DC films available to stream. But if you’re daunted by all the good movies on Max to choose from, we’ve got your back. Below, we’ve put together a curated list of the absolute best movies on Max. Films that will be well worth your time, with our writers making the case for why each film is special.

So check out our list of the best movies on Max streaming below. And for more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows on Max , best drama movies on Max , and best horror movies on Max .

Editor's note: This article was updated April 2024 to include Priscilla.

'Priscilla' (2023)

Rotten tomatoes: 84% imdb: 6.5/10.

Release Date November 3, 2023

Director Sofia Coppola

Cast Ari Cohen, Jorja Cadence, Cailee Spaeny, Jacob Elordi

Runtime 113 minutes

Genres Biography, Drama, Music

Based on Priscilla Presley ’s 1985 memoir Elvis and Me , Sofia Coppola ’s Priscilla stars Cailee Spaeny in the title role alongside Jacob Elordi as Elvis Presley . Coppola wrote and directed the film, which presents the untold story of the Presleys’ marriage and relationship through the eyes of Priscilla. A critical success, Priscilla is an intimate film about female youth and the toxicity of fame. Rather than be just another Elvis story, the movie focuses instead on Priscilla’s life and her growth as a person over the course of their many years together. The heartfelt narrative is further elevated by stellar performances by the two leads, who capture a tenderness and humanity that audiences don’t generally associate with such larger-than-life celebrities. Spaeny’s performance, in particular, is fascinating and earned the actor a Best Actress nomination at the Golden Globe Awards. It’s not much of a crowd-pleaser, but Priscilla has an emotional depth that looks beyond the rock-and-roll glamor of stardom.

Watch on Max

'Dune' (2021)

Rotten tomatoes: 83% | imdb: 8.0/10.

Release Date October 22, 2021

Director Denis Villeneuve

Cast Josh Brolin, David Dastmalchian, Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya Coleman, Jason Momoa

Runtime 155 Minutes

Genres Sci-Fi, Adventure

Adapted from Frank Herbert 's classic science fiction novel, Denis Villeneuve ‘s Dune is a sci-fi adventure drama that focuses on the conflict between two influential families on an alien planet. The movie features an ensemble cast that features Timothée Chalamet , Zendaya , Rebecca Ferguson , and Oscar Isaac . Highly successful at the box office and generally well-received by critics, Dune is an expansive work of worldbuilding, the likes of which are few and far between. It’s well-acted and well-written, but the visual spectacle of the film is what truly blows you away. The movie is truly cinematic in scale and ambition, presenting a beautiful and absorptive world that’s both strange and familiar. The film received a sequel in 2024, Dune: Part Two , which may be even better, but Dune remains a colossal work of science fiction cinema that should be required viewing for all lovers of cinema.

'Barbie' (2023)

Rotten tomatoes: 88% | imdb: 6.8/10.

Release Date July 21, 2023

Director Greta Gerwig

Cast Helen Mirren, Margot Robbie, Ariana Greenblatt, Simu Liu, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera

Runtime 114 minutes

Genres Comedy, Adventure, Fantasy

Greta Gerwig ’s Barbie is a surprisingly existential adaptation of Mattel’s eponymous fashion doll line. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling star as Barbie and Ken, who leave Barbieland and journey to the real world on a quest for self-discovery. The movie also features a stacked supporting cast that includes America Ferrera , Kate McKinnon , Issa Rae , and Michael Cera . With her Barbie movie, Gerwig takes the ultra-commercial entity and gives it a deeply thoughtful indie-movie-esque adaptation. That incongruity is precisely what has made Barbie such a celebrated film. Credit is also due to the stellar cast that balances comedy and real emotion to create relatable, three-dimensional characters. Witty and insightful, this Barbie broke records and wormed her way into hearts around the world, and we could all stand to learn from what she has to say.

'The Player' (1992)

Rotten tomatoes: 97% | imdb: 7.5/10.

Release Date April 10, 1992

Director Robert Altman

Cast Brion James, Greta Scacchi, Cynthia Stevenson, Whoopi Goldberg, Tim Robbins, Peter Gallagher, Fred Ward

Runtime 124 minutes

Genres Satire, Comedy

Written by Michael Tolkin and directed by Robert Altman , The Player is a hilarious satire about Hollywood. Starring incredible talents like Tim Robbins and Whoopi Goldberg , The Player also features a whopping 65 A-list cameos. That's right — there are 65 celebrity cameos in this movie. A film about filmmaking, The Player cleverly pokes fun at the industry with an outlandish plot about a movie exec who receives death threats from a screenwriter whose script was overlooked. Highlighted by biting humor and self-deprecation, The Player charms dark comedy lovers, earning several Oscar nominations and, ironically, even winning Best Adapted Screenplay. - Yael Tygiel

'The Umbrellas of Cherbourg' (1964)

Rotten tomatoes: 97% | imdb: 7.8/10, the umbrellas of cherbourg.

Release Date December 16, 1964

Director Jacques Demy

Cast Marc Michel, Anne Vernon, Nino Castelnuovo, Catherine Deneuve

Runtime 91 minutes

Genres Drama, Romance, Musical

Written and directed by Jacques Demy , The Umbrellas of Cherbourg is a gorgeous musical romance where the entire film’s dialogue is sung. Even casual conversations are shared through music by Michel Legrand . Starring Catherine Deneuve , Anne Vernon , Nino Castelnuovo , and Marc Michel , Umbrellas of Cherbourg follows a young couple (Deneuve and Castelnuovo) attempting to find their way back to each other after being separated by circumstance.

Aside from award nominations and being an obvious influence on the 2016 musical La La Land and Greta Gerwig’ s Barbie , The Umbrellas of Cherbourg itself is a stunning musical masterpiece expressed through a clever format and unforgettable French songs.

'La Strada' (1954)

Rotten tomatoes: 97% | imdb: 8.0/10.

Release Date September 6, 1954

Director Federico Fellini

Cast Anthony Quinn, Richard Basehart

Runtime 1 hr 48 min

Genres Drama

La Strada stars the dazzling Giulietta Masina as a young woman sent to live with a brutish street performer ( Anthony Quinn ), joining his traveling act as a clown, as well as his wife. The often uncomfortable yet absolutely unforgettable parable from director Federico Fellini explores themes of identity, strength, and compassion through fantastic acting and harsh scenes, co-written by Fellini, Tullio Pinelli , and Ennio Flaiano .

La Strada ’s initial release on the festival circuit garnered immense criticism and controversial reactions, setting a foundation for Fellini's creative flair in his subsequent films. Highlighted by Quinn’s charisma and Masina’s wide-eyed naivety, La Strada devastatingly captures the audience's attention. - Yael Tygiel

'Judas and the Black Messiah' (2021)

Rotten tomatoes: 97% | imdb: 7.4/10, judas and the black messiah.

Release Date February 12, 2021

Director Shaka King

Cast LaKeith Stanfield, Martin Sheen, Ashton Sanders, Dominique Fishback, Daniel Kaluuya, Jesse Plemons

Runtime 126

Genres Biography, History

Directed by Shaka King , Judas and the Black Messiah is a powerful film. Inspired by a true story, it shines a light on an important part of American history. This biographical crime drama co-stars Daniel Kaluuya as Fred Hampton, chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party, and LaKeith Stanfield as William O'Neal, a reluctant FBI informant tasked with infiltrating the party in late-1960s Chicago. Judas and the Black Messiah also features Jesse Plemons and Dominique Fishback.

Judas and the Black Messiah not only earned a handful of Oscar nominations for the film, but Kaluuya won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, competing against co-star Stanfield. While the acting, soundtrack, and production are truly stellar, the harsh realities of revolution exposed in the film are triumphant and moving. - Yael Tygiel

'8 1/2' (1963)

Release Date May 29, 1963

Cast Claudia Cardinale, Anouk Aimee, Marcello Mastroianni

Runtime 2 hr 18 min

Genres Drama, Comedy

Directed by Federico Fellini , who co-wrote the film with Ennio Flaiano , Tullio Pinelli , and Brunello Rondi , 8 1/2 delightfully blends comedy, drama, and avant-garde surrealism. An Italian film about movie making, 8 1/2 f ocuses on a frustrated filmmaker attempting to direct his epic sci-fi movie. Starring Marcello Mastroianni as the harried director who finds himself withdrawing into his own mind, electing to live in memories and fantasies rather than reality, 8 1/2 imaginatively explores the creative mind in honest and dream-like ways.

A classic film that utilizes clever practical effects to explore dreamscapes, 8 1/2 gorgeously touches sensuality, the plight of artists, and both internal and external pressure when pursuing greatness. 8 1/2 has earned awards and critical praise, but the film’s respect from modern visionaries like Guillermo del Toro is an endorsement on its own. - Yael Tygiel

'Bicycle Thieves' (1948)

Rotten tomatoes: 99% | imdb: 8.3/10, bicycle thieves.

Release Date November 24, 1948

Director Vittorio De Sica

Runtime 89 minutes

Vittorio De Sica directs Bicycle Thieves , an Italian neorealist film starring Lamberto Maggiorani as a desperate father in post-World War II Rome. Bicycle Thieves co-stars Enzo Staiola as the man’s plucky son, who joins him on his journey to recover his stolen bicycle, a necessity for employment and to keep his family afloat. Writer Cesare Zavattini adapted Luigi Bartolini ’s novel for the screen, allowing for grounded performances and torrid emotional turmoil to be showcased above all else.

With a depressing setting and heavy plot, Bicycle Thieves is, at its core, a powerful film about desperation and resilience, expressed through a heart-wrenching story. Although set in a particular time and place, it is devastatingly relatable regardless of history and location. - Yael Tygiel

'The 400 Blows' (1959)

Rotten tomatoes: 99% | imdb: 8.1/10, the 400 blows.

Release Date May 4, 1959

Director Francois Truffaut

Cast Claire Maurier, Albert Remy, Jean-Pierre Laud

Runtime 1 hr 39 min

Serving as the directorial debut of François Truffaut , who co-wrote the film with Marcel Moussy , The 400 Blows is a French coming-of-age drama about a rebellious pre-teen boy in Paris who turns to petty crime and delinquency when neglected. Starring Jean-Pierre Léaud , Albert Rémy , and Claire Maurier , The 400 Blows is considered a defining film of French New Wave filmmaking.

While many films explore adolescence and coming-of-age stories are a dime a dozen, The 400 Blows beautifully and sympathetically offers a raw perspective at a transitional time period with an honest reflection on the sometimes heartbreaking realities of growing up. - Yael Tygiel

'Stalker' (1979)

Rotten tomatoes: 100% | imdb: 8.1/10.

Release Date May 25, 1979

Director Andrei Tarkovsky

Cast Alexander Kaidanovsky

Runtime 162 minutes

Genres Drama, Sci-Fi

A mesmerizing sci-fi masterpiece from director Andrei Tarkovsky , Stalker was written by Arkady Strugatsky and Boris Strugatsky and based on their trippy 1972 novel Roadside Picnic . The film stars Aleksandr Kajdanovsky as the illegal guide journeying across a postapocalyptic landscape where the laws of physics seem irrelevant, bringing a writer ( Anatoliy Solonitsyn ) and scientist ( Nikolay Grinko ) to a mythical place believed to grant wishes.

Stalker explores a variety of existential themes through haunting scenes and stunning shots, which slowly draw in audiences to dive into complex philosophical conundrums. With a unique approach to narrative, sound design, and humanity, Stalker ’s influence expands beyond cinema by inspiring the evolution of the annual festival known as Burning Man. - Yael Tygiel

'Wages of Fear' (1953)

Rotten tomatoes: 100% | imdb: 8.2/10, wages of fear.

Release Date April 22, 1953

Director Henri-Georges Clouzot

Cast Yves Montand, Folco Lulli, Charles Vanel

Runtime 2 hr 33 min

Genres Thriller

Wages of Fear is an intense existential thriller from director Henri-Georges Clouzot . Adapted from Georges Arnaud ’s 1950 novel and starring Yves Montand , Charles Vanel , Peter van Eyck , and Véra Clouzot , Wages of Fear follows four European men in a South American jungle who are hired by an American oil company to transport nitroglycerine. Through gritty shots and spine-tingling extended suspense sequences, Wages of Fear includes countless scenes that will leave viewers holding their breath.

Wages of Fear continues to captivate audiences, particularly with its balance of biting satire and heart-pumping intensity. It comes as no surprise that Netflix is currently in the process of remaking the French movie. - Yael Tygiel

'Stagecoach' (1939)

Rotten tomatoes: 100% | imdb: 7.8/10.

Release Date March 2, 1939

Director John Ford

Cast Andy Devine, John Carradine, John Wayne

Runtime 1 hr 36 min

Genres Western

Considered John Wayne ’s legendary breakout role, Stagecoach is an exciting Western that follows a group of strangers traveling via stagecoach through Apache territory. Based on Ernest Haycox ’s short story The Stage to Lordsburg , Stagecoach was directed by John Ford ( The Grapes of Wrath ) and features an ensemble cast alongside Wayne, including Claire Trevor , Andy Devine , and John Carradine ( The Ten Commandments ).

Earning two Academy Awards as well as a slew more nominations, Stagecoach has been adapted for radio, as well as remade quite a few times. Although a fun ride, the historical inaccuracies and blatant prejudices portrayed in the movie, particularly pertaining to indigenous cultures, are undeniable and should not be overlooked. - Yael Tygiel

'Tokyo Story' (1972)

Tokyo story.

Release Date March 13, 1972

Director Yasujir Ozu

Cast Setsuko Hara, S Yamamura, Chieko Higashiyama, Chish Ry

Runtime 136 minutes

Yasujirō Ozu ’s Tokyo Story is a gorgeous drama that follows a retired couple on their journey to visit their grown children in the Japanese capital. Starring ChishÅ« RyÅ« and Chieko Higashiyama , Tokyo Story is a slow burn as it cleverly weaves a story through dialogue, with many key scenes not being shown on screen. Highlighted by a unique use of camera angles, Tokyo Story leans into the generational tale with a rich emotional complexity.

While the technical aspect of Tokyo Story is captivating, the true draw is the generational story, focusing on themes of Westernization. While this film is specifically about a traditional Japanese family as they recover from World War II, these types of shifts within societies are relatable to a multitude of cultures around globe. - Yael Tygiel

'Battleship Potemkin' (1925)

Rotten tomatoes: 100% | imdb: 7.9/10, battleship potemkin.

Release Date December 21, 1925

Cast Grigori Aleksandrov, Aleksandr Antonov

Runtime 1 hr 17 min

Battleship Potemkin is a truly unique film from writer-director Sergei Eisenstein . A silent film that unfolds over five separately titled acts, Battleship Potemkin focuses on the 1905 naval mutiny of an Imperial Russian Navy's Black Sea Fleet’s battleship. Battleship Potemkin features a collection of non-actors, including Aleksandr Antonov, Vladimir Barksy, and Grigori Aleksandrov , as Eisenstein opted for specific looks and vibes over identifiable movie stars.

Bringing history to the screen, Battleship Potemkin cleverly shares the gruesome realities of revolution, resulting in just over an hour of cinematic brilliance. Over the years, Battleship Potemkin has been praised for its clever montage editing techniques, which earned the film a place within the top ranks of many "best films" lists. - Yael Tygiel

'Pulp Fiction' (1994)

Rotten tomatoes: 92% | imdb: 8.9/10, pulp fiction.

Release Date September 10, 1994

Director Quentin Tarantino

Cast Tim Roth, Bruce Willis, Amanda Plummer, Samuel L. Jackson, Eric Stoltz, John Travolta

Runtime 154

Genres Drama, Thriller, Crime

Read Our Review

Pulp Fiction , directed by Quentin Tarantino , follows several interconnected storylines. One follows Vincent Vega ( John Travolta ), a hitman in the employ of gangster Marsellus Wallace ( Ving Rhames ). His encounters with Mia Wallace ( Uma Thurman ), Marsellus's wife, result in a sequence of intense and unpredictable events. Another narrative thread focuses on Jules Winnfield ( Samuel L. Jackson ) and Vincent Vega as they carry out their assignments. The last one centers on Butch Coolidge ( Bruce Willis ) and his decision to defy Marsellus Wallace's orders, which sets off a chain reaction of events that intertwine with the other characters.

Pulp Fiction is a landmark neo-noir crime film that gained widespread acclaim for its unique narrative structure and impactful storytelling. Almost 30 years later, it remains a cultural touchstone and a testament to Tarantino's influence on contemporary filmmaking. Furthermore, the dialogue is razor-sharp, the performances are flawless, and the twists consistently deliver surprises. Notably, iconic dance moves serve as the film's signature, enduring the test of time. The film was also crafted as a satirical commentary on the themes of contingency and redemption, foundational elements often found in more conventionally typical Hollywood productions. As lively as it is gripping, Pulp Fiction is a thrilling blend of pop culture and pulp, and it undeniably stands out as one of the finest movies of the 1990s. - Jessie Nguyen

'Eighth Grade' (2018)

Rotten tomatoes: 99% | imdb: 7.4/10, eighth grade.

Release Date August 3, 2018

Director Bo Burnham

Cast Deborah Unger, Greg Crowe, Missy Yager, Emily Robinson, Elsie Fisher, Josh Hamilton

Runtime 93 minutes

Genres Drama, Comedy, Documentary

Directed and written by Bo Burnham , Eighth Grade follows Kayla ( Elsie Fisher ), a teenager navigating the challenges of middle school, grappling with anxiety while striving for social acceptance in the final week of eighth grade. To cope, she creates video blogs offering motivational advice, but her fixation on social media strains her relationship with her otherwise supportive father ( Josh Hamilton ), who desires to be an active presence in her life as her sole parent.

In his directorial debut, Eighth Grade is Burnham’s meticulously crafted ode to the tumultuous and bewildering middle school years, offering reassurance to those experiencing it that things will ultimately get better. Eighth Grade is also one of those rare movies that, despite its subjective individuality, appeals to both adolescent and adult audiences by teaching universal life lessons that everyone must experience and master in order to become an adult. In addition, viewers truly experience Kayla's awkwardness, embarrassment, and cringe-worthy nature as she and other schoolchildren attempt to appear older than they actually are, demonstrating Fisher's true talent and the potential impact of their future. Additionally, Burnham's comedy experience comes through, as his comedic timing both eases the tension and warmly welcomes the audience to the plot. - Jessie Nguyen

'Room' (2015)

Rotten tomatoes: 93% | imdb: 8.1/10.

Release Date October 16, 2015

Director Lenny Abrahamson

Cast Amanda Brugel, Megan Park, Sean Bridgers, Brie Larson, William H. Macy, Joan Allen

Genres Drama, Thriller, Documentary

Based on Emma Donoghue 's 2010 novel of the same name, Room is directed by Lenny Abrahamson and adapted for the screen by Donoghue. The movie follows Ma, played by Brie Larson , a young woman who has endured seven years of captivity, during which her five-year-old son ( Jacob Tremblay ) was born. Their escape finally grants the boy his first experience of the outside world.

Room presents both the highest and lowest facets of humanity within a captivating narrative that delves into the boundless resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of the most daunting challenges. In this examination of loneliness, identity, and the illusion of protection, Larson showcases her most vulnerable state and also displays the height of her talent. She was then awarded an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for the portrayal. Jacob Tremblay's performance is also exceptional, indicating his potential to become a prominent star in the future. Additionally, director Lenny Abrahamson and cinematographer Danny Cohen , in collaboration with Donoghue's screenplay, present a distressing story through the lens of the most innocent perspective, resulting in a truly distinctive cinematic experience. Rather than avoiding the harsh realities, Room confronts them directly and unflinchingly. - Jessie Nguyen

'The Devil Wears Prada' (2006)

Rotten tomatoes: 75% | imdb: 6.9/10, the devil wears prada.

Release Date June 30, 2006

Director David Frankel

Cast Stanley Tucci, Emily Blunt, Anne Hathaway, Simon Baker, Meryl Streep, Adrian Grenier

Runtime 109 minutes

Based on Lauren Weisberger 's 2003 novel of the same name, The Devil Wears Prada follows Andy ( Anne Hathaway ), a recent college graduate with ambitious dreams. When she secures a job at the renowned Runway magazine, she becomes the assistant to the formidable editor, Miranda Priestly ( Meryl Streep ). Andy then embarks on a challenging journey, questioning her ability to endure her demanding role as Miranda's assistant without getting burned.

It's a rare film that not only matches but surpasses the quality of its source material. Viewers continue to ponder the movie's valuable lessons long after the laughter has faded, as these lessons are well-founded, enduring, and skillfully conveyed by the talented actors who bring genuine depth to the material. The Devil Wears Prada continues to be a frontrunner in people's minds when it comes to the most stylish films. However, it goes beyond that, offering a captivating and often comedic peek into the high-speed and alluring realm of high fashion. It also provides viewers with a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes operations of a prestigious fashion magazine. Furthermore, the characters, especially the formidable Miranda Priestly, have achieved icon status in popular culture, solidifying the film's position as a classic. Streep's performance also earned her another Oscar nomination, further recognizing her outstanding portrayal. - Jessie Nguyen

'Seven Samurai' (1956)

Rotten tomatoes: 100% | imdb: 8.6/10, seven samurai.

A poor village under attack by bandits recruits  seven  unemployed  samurai  to help them defend themselves.

Release Date April 26, 1954

Director Akira Kurosawa

Cast Takashi Shimura, Toshiro Mifune

Runtime 207 minutes

Genres Drama, Action

Set in 1586 Japan, Seven Samurai focuses on farmers in a small mountain village who make a desperate plea to rogue samurai to help them defend themselves from a merciless gang of bandits that frequently terrorizes them. Unable to pay for protection, the farmers are aided by a veteran warrior who, along with just six other ronin, train the farmers to resist the bandits and fight alongside them.

At 207 minutes, the period epic is a defining masterpiece from legendary filmmaker Akira Kurosawa and is an iconic highlight of Japan’s samurai cinema. Its engrossing story works in its broad strokes as a heroic action adventure, but nestled within are insightful observations on cultural divides that thrive amid Kurosawa’s meticulous pacing. Also enhanced by some striking acting performances and stunning combat sequences, Seven Samurai remains one of the most influential films ever made and one of the most awe-inspiring movies of all time. - Ryan Heffernan