When Worlds Collide (1951)
74%RT Audience Score: 63%
Awards & Nominations: NA
When Worlds Collide, a sci-fi classic that has stood the test of time, is a film that is both contemplative and entertaining. While some may find the special effects to be dated, it is the cameramen and special effects technicians who deserve top honors for their work. The non-name cast may not deliver standout performances, but the film’s apocalyptic narrative and superior sci-fi elements make it a must-watch for fans of the genre. Don’t overthink the science or the sociology, just sit back and enjoy the ride as the world comes to an end in a way that only Hollywood can deliver.
When Worlds Collide is a classic sci-fi disaster flick that’s perfect for a movie night with friends. Sure, the special effects might be a bit dated, but that just adds to the charm. And let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good apocalyptic storyline? Plus, it’s always fun to see how filmmakers from the past imagined the end of the world. So grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the ride. Just don’t forget to thank your lucky stars that you’re not actually living through it!
Production Company(ies)
DNA Films & TV, Ensemble, Hello Sunshine, Searchlight Pictures
Distributor
Paramount
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Stockholm, Sweden; Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; London, England, United Kingdom
MPAA / Certificate
R
Year of Release
1951
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:1h 21m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States, United Kingdom
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Release date:Release Date (Streaming): Aug 7, 2007
Genre(s)
Sci-fi
Keyword(s)
starring Richard Derr, Barbara Rush, Peter Hansen, Larry Keating, John Hoyt, Rachel Ames, directed by Rudolph Maté, written by Edwin Balmer, Philip Wylie, Sydney Boehm, sci-fi, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Bob Thomas, Jonathan Rosenbaum, Variety Staff, Bosley Crowther, Christopher Lloyd, Matt Brunson, Yasser Medina, Rob Humanick, Dennis Schwartz, Fernando F Croce, Mark Bourne, MPAA rating G, produced by George Pal, Paramount, Zyra, Bellus, Dr Bronson, Dr Hendron, Joyce Hendron, David Randall, Dr Tony Drake, Sydney Stanton, Julie Cummings, special effects, apocalypse, astronomy, relocation, impending mass destruction
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $40,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $552,367,044
Production budget ranking: 1
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $297,449,653
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Barbara Rush – Joyce Hendron
Peter Hansen – Dr. Tony Drake
Larry Keating – Dr. Cole Hendron
John Hoyt – Sydney Stanton
Rachel Ames – Julie Cummings
Director – Rudolph Maté
Producer – George Pal
Writers – Edwin Balmer, Philip Wylie, Sydney Boehm
Director(s)
Rudolph Maté
Writer(s)
Edwin Balmer, Philip Wylie, Sydney Boehm
Producer(s)
George Pal
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (26) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (21) | Rotten (5)
When Worlds Collide continues the current rage for science fiction movies and it is one of our better ones.
August 5, 2019
Bob Thomas
Associated Press
TOP CRITIC
This probably looks about as stodgy now as it did back then.
June 7, 2007
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Top honors for this inter-planetary fantasy rest with the cameramen and special effects technicians rather than with performances of the non-name cast.
June 7, 2007
Variety Staff
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Mr. Pal barely gets us out there, but this time he doesn’t bring us back.
March 25, 2006 | Rating: 2/5
Bosley Crowther
New York Times
TOP CRITIC
Though it’s a tad hokey and the special effects are embarrassingly dated, this sci-fi disaster flick is more contemplative about the nature of mankind than you’d expect.
January 9, 2023 | Rating: 4/5
Christopher Lloyd
The Film Yap
An example of superior sci-fi cinema.
October 1, 2022 | Rating: 3/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
A science fiction film that, even with its narrative inconsistencies, seems quite entertaining to me when it offers its show about the catastrophe of the end of the world. Full review in Spanish
March 28, 2022 | Rating: 7/10
Yasser Medina
Cinemaficionados
Too bad the finale plays like a greeting card you wish someone had just given you the money for instead.
October 9, 2011 | Rating: 3/5
Rob Humanick
Suite101.com
Best appreciated for its apocalyptic special effects.
November 11, 2010 | Rating: B-
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
Cinema’s most neurasthenic version of the apocalypse
October 21, 2010
Fernando F. Croce
CinePassion
Never mind plot logic, don’t think too hard about the ‘sci’ component of the sci-fi, and certainly keep the unsubtle sociology and Pal’s typical Bible-based gloss in perspective. When Worlds Collide remains entertaining and satisfying….
April 5, 2006
Mark Bourne
DVDJournal.com
September 8, 2005 | Rating: 3/5
Michael Szymanski
Zap2it.com…
Plot
A group of people must relocate to a new planet to avoid the impending mass destruction caused by a star crashing into Earth in When Worlds Collide.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels doesn’t have anything goofy or funny or odd to say about the film Signed in.
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