The Terminal (2004)
Kernel Score: 83% · 8,550 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Comedy, Drama
Released: 2004-06-17
Runtime: 128 minutes
Is The Terminal worth watching?
Worth watching. Tom Hanks plays a man stranded in JFK airport because his country no longer exists. It's a warm, gentle comedy that works because of Hanks, though it's softer and more sentimental than Spielberg's best.
Watch it if you
- like warm, gentle comedies
- enjoy Tom Hanks being lovable
- want an easy, feel-good watch
Skip it if you
- dislike sentimental stories
- want something sharp or surprising
Best for: Family movie night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The Terminal
- Stream: Fubo, Paramount+
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Hoopla
- Rent: JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
An Eastern European tourist unexpectedly finds himself stranded in JFK airport, and must take up temporary residence there.
The Terminal parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that The Terminal is a gentle comedy-drama about an immigrant stranded in an airport, with minimal objectionable content.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Terminal
If you liked The Terminal, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Catch Me If You Can (2002) — 93%: Spielberg and Hanks again, lighter in tone.
- Forrest Gump (1994) — 97%: Hanks as a lovable outsider in a bigger world.
- Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) — 82%: Two mismatched travellers stuck on a journey home.
- The Truman Show (1998) — 94%: Comedy-drama about an ordinary man in an odd world.
- Life Is Beautiful (1997) — 93%: Funny and moving story of a good man in a hard place.
Director
Cast
- Tom Hanks as Viktor Navorski
- Catherine Zeta-Jones as Amelia Warren
- Stanley Tucci as Frank Dixon
- Chi McBride as Mulroy
- Diego Luna as Enrique Cruz
- Barry Shabaka Henley as Thurman
- Kumar Pallana as Gupta Rajan
- Zoe Saldaña as Torres
- Eddie Jones as Salchak
- Jude Ciccolella as Karl Iverson
The Terminal FAQ
Is The Terminal worth watching?
Worth watching. Tom Hanks plays a man stranded in JFK airport because his country no longer exists. It's a warm, gentle comedy that works because of Hanks, though it's softer and more sentimental than Spielberg's best.
Where can I watch The Terminal?
In the US you can stream The Terminal on Fubo and Paramount+, watch it free with ads on Kanopy and Hoopla and rent it from JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV and Google Play.
Is The Terminal OK for kids?
The Terminal is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that The Terminal is a gentle comedy-drama about an immigrant stranded in an airport, with minimal objectionable content.
What movies are like The Terminal?
If you liked The Terminal, try Catch Me If You Can, Forrest Gump, Planes, Trains and Automobiles and The Truman Show.