The War of the Worlds
A California scientist and his companions struggle to survive a terrifying Martian assault rendered with landmark Technicolor spectacle.
Overview
A small town's excitement turns to terror as an alien invasion unfolds.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- suspenseful
- foreboding
- thrilling
- classic science fiction night
- retro movie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard it as a suspenseful, commercially successful science fiction adventure whose imaginative Technicolor special effects remain its defining strength.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Martian machines arrive in California and launch a destructive assault against humanity.
The film emphasizes vividly rendered Martian machines, heat rays, and large-scale destruction through Technicolor effects work.
Human weapons, including atomic capability, appear inadequate against the invaders' destructive technology.
The 1953 setting and imagery of unstoppable external attack, street riots, and mass panic evoke contemporary Cold War fears.
Films like The War of the Worlds, and why
Invasion of the Body Snatchers
classic alien invasion spectacle with escalating public panic, iconic extraterrestrial technology, and a suspenseful mid-century science fiction tone
The Day the Earth Stood Still
groundbreaking 1950s science fiction centered on humanity confronting an overwhelming extraterrestrial threat through striking visual effects
Independence Day
large-scale disaster science fiction featuring destructive alien machines, civilian chaos, and a determined human response
Movie Details
- Director
- Byron Haskin
- Release Date
- 1953-04-03
- Runtime
- 85 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (737)
Cast
- Gene Barry
- Ann Robinson
- Lewis Martin
- Les Tremayne
- Frank Kreig
- Vernon Rich
- Sandro Giglio
- Ann Codee
- Robert Cornthwaite
- Cedric Hardwicke
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- 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 The War of the Worlds about?
- A California scientist and his companions struggle to survive a terrifying Martian assault rendered with landmark Technicolor spectacle.
- What is The War of the Worlds like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The War of the Worlds as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The War of the Worlds violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The War of the Worlds as mild.
- What did critics think of The War of the Worlds?
- Critics broadly regard it as a suspenseful, commercially successful science fiction adventure whose imaginative Technicolor special effects remain its defining strength.
- Which films are like The War of the Worlds?
- Films with a similar feel include Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Day the Earth Stood Still, and Independence Day.
- How long is The War of the Worlds?
- The War of the Worlds runs 85 minutes.
- Where can I watch The War of the Worlds?
- In United States, The War of the Worlds is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
