Overview
A man finds unexpected friendships and a new life in an airport terminal.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- gentle
- lazy sunday
- comfort viewing
What critics said
Critics found the film crowd-pleasing and humane, with Tom Hanks's performance elevating an contrived but appealing premise.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Viktor Navorski is forced to live inside JFK airport, sleeping, working, and building a social world there.
Viktor's limited English and the communication gaps surrounding his invalid papers shape his interactions with airport staff.
Viktor becomes legally stranded when his country's government collapses and his travel documents cease to function.
Viktor develops friendships with Mulroy, Enrique Cruz, and other airport employees while waiting for permission to leave.
Films like The Terminal, and why
The Visitor
shares a warm fish out of water premise, gentle comedy, emotional resilience, and a hopeful humanistic tone
Brooklyn
shares an immigrant-centered story, language barriers, institutional obstacles, and compassionate dramatic comedy
Cast Away
shares tom hanks's sincere comedic performance, an isolated protagonist, and a comforting story of unexpected community
Catch Me If You Can
shares steven spielberg's crowd-pleasing sentiment, bureaucratic conflict, and a protagonist navigating an unfamiliar system
Movie Details
- Director
- Steven Spielberg
- Release Date
- 2004-06-17
- Runtime
- 128 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (8990)
Cast
- Tom Hanks
- Catherine Zeta-Jones
- Stanley Tucci
- Chi McBride
- Diego Luna
- Barry Shabaka Henley
- Kumar Pallana
- Zoe Saldaña
- Eddie Jones
- Jude Ciccolella
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- 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 Terminal about?
- A stranded traveler transforms an airport prison into a makeshift home while navigating bureaucracy, friendship, and unexpected romance.
- What is The Terminal like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Terminal as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Terminal violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Terminal.
- What did critics think of The Terminal?
- Critics found the film crowd-pleasing and humane, with Tom Hanks's performance elevating an contrived but appealing premise.
- Which films are like The Terminal?
- Films with a similar feel include The Visitor, Brooklyn, Cast Away, and Catch Me If You Can.
- How long is The Terminal?
- The Terminal runs 128 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Terminal?
- In United States, The Terminal streams on fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel.
