The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
Kernel Score: 83% · 1,209 ratings · Rated G
Genres: Science Fiction, Thriller, Drama
Released: 1951-09-18
Runtime: 92 minutes
Where to watch The Day the Earth Stood Still
- Stream: Cultpix
- Free with ads: Hoopla
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
An alien and a robot land on Earth after World War II and tell mankind to be peaceful or face destruction.
The Day the Earth Stood Still parents' guide: all ages
Parents need to know that The Day the Earth Stood Still is a classic sci-fi film with a peaceful message despite Cold War military tension.
- Violence & scariness: A little — Military confrontation with an alien is largely restrained, typical of classic 1950s sci-fi.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official G rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Day the Earth Stood Still
If you liked The Day the Earth Stood Still, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Finch (2021) — 87%
- Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) — 81%
- Arrival (2016) — 85%
- Moon (2009) — 87%
- Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) — 85%
- 12th Fail (2023) — 89%
- Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991) — 77%
- UFO (2018) — 74%
Director
Cast
- Michael Rennie as Klaatu, alias Mr. Carpenter
- Patricia Neal as Helen Benson
- Billy Gray as Bobby Benson
- Sam Jaffe as Prof. Jacob Barnhardt
- Hugh Marlowe as Tom Stevens
- Lock Martin as Gort
- Freeman Lusk as General Cutler
- Edith Evanson as Mrs. Crockett, landlady
- Frank Conroy as Mr. Harley, Secretary to the President
- Frances Bavier as Mrs. Barley, boarder
The Day the Earth Stood Still FAQ
Is The Day the Earth Stood Still good?
The Day the Earth Stood Still has an 83% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 1,209 audience ratings.
Where can I watch The Day the Earth Stood Still?
In the US you can stream The Day the Earth Stood Still on Cultpix, watch it free with ads on Hoopla and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Day the Earth Stood Still OK for kids?
The Day the Earth Stood Still is rated G. Fresh Kernels suggests all ages. Parents need to know that The Day the Earth Stood Still is a classic sci-fi film with a peaceful message despite Cold War military tension.
What movies are like The Day the Earth Stood Still?
If you liked The Day the Earth Stood Still, try Finch, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Arrival and Moon.