The War of the Worlds
Mighty panorama of Earth-shaking fury as an army from Mars invades!
1953 • 85 min • Science Fiction · Action
Synopsis
The residents of a small town are excited when a flaming meteor lands in the hills, until they discover it is the first of many transport devices from Mars bringing an army of invaders invincible to any man-made weapon, even the atomic bomb.
Our family guide
Best from age 8- 100 Reviewers · 4 · 60%
- 68 Audience · 717 · 40%
An alien invasion from Mars threatens humanity in this classic sci-fi film. Martians land in California, unleashing advanced weaponry against Earth. A scientist works to understand and combat the seemingly invincible invaders.
- Violence & peril
- 6/10
- Language
- 1/10
- Drinking, drugs & smoking
- 0/10
- Romance & sensuality
- 0/10
- Scary moments
- 7/10
Heads up
- Scenes of mass destruction and panic
- Martian heat rays disintegrate people
- Characters deal with loss and chaos
What it models well
- Courage in the face of fear
- Scientific problem-solving
- Humanity's resilience
Talk about it after
- How humans react to an unknown threat
- The power of unity and cooperation
- The role of faith during crisis
Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for The War of the Worlds. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.
Where to watch
Free
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Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At HomeBuy
- Amazon Video
- Apple TV Store
- Google Play Movies
- YouTube
- Fandango At Home
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Top billed cast
Director: Byron Haskin • Crew: Barré Lyndon
Trailers & clips
How Chicken Wire Rescued a 1950s Cinematic Epic | The War of the Worlds (1953)
The War of the Worlds (1953) Original Trailer [HD]
Rick Baker on WAR OF THE WORLDS
Reviewer notes
RecommendedTrusted family reviewers“The War of the Worlds” now restored in 4K HD with its lovely looking technicolour and amazing surround sound really has elevated this movie to a higher level than any previous release. Made during the height of optimism in 1953 “The War of the Worlds” was and still is quite horrific and unnerving. The joys of the Atomic age are highlighted by the beauty of the alien spacecraft and the atom bomb being the answer t...
RecommendedNot great in terms of the script, acting or the abrupt ending, the practical effects were impressive and a lot of fun with the Martian ships flying and causing mayhem and destruction. I can imagine this wowed audiences back in '53. **3.0/5**
RecommendedTrusted family reviewers_**Clark Kent & Lois Lane face an invasion of Martians!**_ A flaming meteor lands near a small town in rural California, yet it turns out it’s not really a meteor, but rather the beginning of an extraterrestrial invasion! “The War of the Worlds” (1953) loosely interprets H.G. Wells' classic 1898 novel and moves the events up to the mid-20th century wherein Earthlings have modern weapons at their disposal,...
RecommendedSmashing sci-fi film that is a landmark for special effects. Martians invade Earth with total destructive powers, seemingly unstoppable, mankind must find a way to beat them before all is Lost. In spite of the uproar and considerable success of Orson Welles' 1938 radio adaptation of the H.G Wells novel, War Of The Worlds was a topic that directors were staying well away from. Such high esteemed men like as C...
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Gallery
Details
- TMDB audience
- 6.8/10 (717)
- Age rating
- G
- Status
- Released
- Budget
- $2,000,000
- Box office
- $2,000,000
- IMDb
- tt0046534
