War of the Worlds (2005)
Kernel Score: 70% · 9,276 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Adventure, Thriller, Science Fiction
Released: 2005-06-28
Runtime: 117 minutes
Is War of the Worlds worth watching?
Depends on your taste. The first hour is a tense, frightening alien invasion seen from the ground, and the effects are strong. The ending lets it down badly, and the main character is hard to like. Good, flawed spectacle.
Watch it if you
- like disaster and alien-invasion films
- enjoy Spielberg's big set-pieces
- want an intense family-in-danger story
Skip it if you
- want a satisfying ending
- dislike bleak, frightening scenes
Best for: Night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch War of the Worlds
- Stream: Paramount+, Peacock, HBO Max, Starz
- Free with ads: Kanopy
- 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
Ray Ferrier is a divorced dockworker and less-than-perfect father. Soon after his ex-wife and her new husband drop off his teenage son and young daughter for a rare weekend visit, a strange and powerful lightning storm touches down.
Movies like War of the Worlds
If you liked War of the Worlds, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Edge of Tomorrow (2014) — 91%: Inventive, fast sci-fi about fighting an alien enemy
- Independence Day (1996) — 80%: Big, loud alien-invasion blockbuster
- Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) — 81%: Slow-building paranoia about being replaced by aliens
- Predator (1987) — 85%: Tense sci-fi where the hunters become the hunted
- Starship Troopers (1997) — 78%: Violent, satirical sci-fi about a war with aliens
Director
Cast
- Tom Cruise as Ray
- Dakota Fanning as Rachel
- Miranda Otto as Mary Ann
- Justin Chatwin as Robbie
- Tim Robbins as Harlan Ogilvy
- Rick Gonzalez as Vincent
- Yul Vazquez as Julio
- Lenny Venito as Manny The Mechanic
- Lisa Ann Walter as Bartender
- Ann Robinson as Grandmother
War of the Worlds FAQ
Is War of the Worlds worth watching?
Depends on your taste. The first hour is a tense, frightening alien invasion seen from the ground, and the effects are strong. The ending lets it down badly, and the main character is hard to like. Good, flawed spectacle.
Where can I watch War of the Worlds?
In the US you can stream War of the Worlds on Paramount+, Peacock, HBO Max and Starz, watch it free with ads on Kanopy and rent it from JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV and Google Play.
What is War of the Worlds rated?
War of the Worlds is rated PG-13.
What movies are like War of the Worlds?
If you liked War of the Worlds, try Edge of Tomorrow, Independence Day, Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Predator.