Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- visceral
- heroic
- earnest
- historical movie night
- action movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the combat sequences vivid and the perspective more balanced than conventional war epics, but judged the screenplay choppy, clichéd, and underdeveloped.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The Battle of Midway is depicted through aircraft carriers, dive bombers, intelligence officers, and fleet commanders across the Pacific.
The story moves among Edwin Layton, Chester Nimitz, Wade McClusky, Richard Best, and other military figures as events escalate.
Roland Emmerich stages carrier battles, aerial attacks, Pearl Harbor, and the Midway engagement with modern effects-heavy filmmaking.
The plot emphasizes American leaders and soldiers using instinct, fortitude, and bravery after severe setbacks in the Pacific.
Films like Midway, and why
Pearl Harbor
large-scale world war ii combat spectacle, military leadership, and patriotic historical drama
Dunkirk
visceral second world war action, ensemble military perspective, and emphasis on battlefield heroism
The Longest Day
historical war spectacle focused on strategic command, sacrifice, and aerial combat
Fury
modern visual effects applied to a fact-based second world war military campaign
Movie Details
- Director
- Roland Emmerich
- Release Date
- 2019-11-06
- Runtime
- 138 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (2820)
Cast
- Ed Skrein
- Patrick Wilson
- Woody Harrelson
- Luke Evans
- Mandy Moore
- Luke Kleintank
- Dennis Quaid
- Aaron Eckhart
- Keean Johnson
- Nick Jonas
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Angel Studios, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, 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 Midway about?
- A sprawling second world war epic dramatizes the commanders, pilots, and intelligence officers whose decisions shaped the pivotal Battle of Midway.
- What is Midway like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Midway as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Midway violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Midway as moderate.
- What did critics think of Midway?
- Critics broadly found the combat sequences vivid and the perspective more balanced than conventional war epics, but judged the screenplay choppy, clichéd, and underdeveloped.
- Which films are like Midway?
- Films with a similar feel include Pearl Harbor, Dunkirk, The Longest Day, and Fury.
- How long is Midway?
- Midway runs 138 minutes.
- Where can I watch Midway?
- In United States, Midway streams on Angel Studios, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel.
