Planet 51
A teenager on an alien world risks his career and safety to rescue the human astronaut his society believes is a monstrous invader.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- breezy
- playful
- family movie night
- lazy weekend
What critics said
Critics generally found the film pleasant and occasionally clever as children's entertainment, but considered its pop-culture references and conventional storytelling derivative.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Captain Chuck Baker is treated as the alien monster on Planet 51, while the native Lem becomes the protagonist helping him escape.
Planet 51 combines flying saucers and extraterrestrial technology with 1950s-style suburban life, media panic, and pop-cultural references.
The film plays with the idea of an astronaut being perceived as a dangerous creature and incorporated into alien domestic life like a pet.
Lem hides and guides Baker while General Grawl and Professor Kipple attempt to destroy the stranded human.
Films like Planet 51, and why
e.t. the extraterrestrial
shares family-friendly animated science fiction, alien encounters, and a playful reversal of human extraterrestrial perspective
lilo & stitch
shares colorful animated extraterrestrial adventure, broad comedy, and child-accessible themes of friendship and belonging
monsters vs. aliens
shares retro-styled science fiction comedy, alien-world worldbuilding, and lighthearted adventure aimed at families
planet 51
shares animated fish-out-of-water comedy, unusual worlds, and a rescue-driven adventure with an eccentric ensemble
Movie Details
- Director
- Jorge Blanco
- Release Date
- 2009-11-19
- Runtime
- 91 min
- Rating
- 5.9 / 10 (2228)
Cast
- Justin Long
- Dwayne Johnson
- Jessica Biel
- Seann William Scott
- Gary Oldman
- John Cleese
- Freddie Benedict
- Alan Marriott
- Mathew Horne
- James Corden
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Planet 51 about?
- A teenager on an alien world risks his career and safety to rescue the human astronaut his society believes is a monstrous invader.
- What is Planet 51 like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Planet 51 as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Planet 51 violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Planet 51 as mild.
- What did critics think of Planet 51?
- Critics generally found the film pleasant and occasionally clever as children's entertainment, but considered its pop-culture references and conventional storytelling derivative.
- Which films are like Planet 51?
- Films with a similar feel include e.t. the extraterrestrial, lilo & stitch, monsters vs. aliens, and planet 51.
- How long is Planet 51?
- Planet 51 runs 91 minutes.
- Where can I watch Planet 51?
- In United States, Planet 51 streams on Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel.
