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Watchmen

  • 2009
  • 18A
  • 2h 42m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
601K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
422
18
Billy Crudup, Malin Akerman, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Patrick Wilson in Watchmen (2009)
Watch Tráiler [ES]
Play trailer2:20
41 Videos
99+ Photos
Dystopian Sci-FiSuperheroActionDramaMysterySci-Fi

In a version of 1985 where superheroes exist, the murder of a colleague sends active vigilante Rorschach on the trail of a conspiracy that will change the course of history.In a version of 1985 where superheroes exist, the murder of a colleague sends active vigilante Rorschach on the trail of a conspiracy that will change the course of history.In a version of 1985 where superheroes exist, the murder of a colleague sends active vigilante Rorschach on the trail of a conspiracy that will change the course of history.

  • Director
    • Zack Snyder
  • Writers
    • Dave Gibbons
    • David Hayter
    • Alex Tse
  • Stars
    • Jackie Earle Haley
    • Patrick Wilson
    • Carla Gugino
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.6/10
    601K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    422
    18
    • Director
      • Zack Snyder
    • Writers
      • Dave Gibbons
      • David Hayter
      • Alex Tse
    • Stars
      • Jackie Earle Haley
      • Patrick Wilson
      • Carla Gugino
    • 1.6KUser reviews
    • 361Critic reviews
    • 56Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 12 wins & 24 nominations total

    Videos41

    Tráiler [ES]
    Trailer 2:20
    Tráiler [ES]
    Watchmen: Trailer #2
    Trailer 2:33
    Watchmen: Trailer #2
    Watchmen: Trailer #2
    Trailer 2:33
    Watchmen: Trailer #2
    Watchmen: Scream Awards Trailer
    Trailer 1:49
    Watchmen: Scream Awards Trailer
    Watchmen: Trailer #1
    Trailer 2:22
    Watchmen: Trailer #1
    Watchmen: Journal #4
    Trailer 2:49
    Watchmen: Journal #4
    A Guide to the Films of Zack Snyder
    Clip 1:31
    A Guide to the Films of Zack Snyder

    Photos410

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    + 404
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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Jackie Earle Haley
    Jackie Earle Haley
    • Rorschach
    Patrick Wilson
    Patrick Wilson
    • Dan Dreiberg…
    Carla Gugino
    Carla Gugino
    • Sally Jupiter…
    Malin Akerman
    Malin Akerman
    • Laurie Jupiter…
    Billy Crudup
    Billy Crudup
    • Dr. Manhattan…
    Matthew Goode
    Matthew Goode
    • Adrian Veidt…
    Jeffrey Dean Morgan
    Jeffrey Dean Morgan
    • Edward Blake…
    Matt Frewer
    Matt Frewer
    • Moloch
    Stephen McHattie
    Stephen McHattie
    • Hollis Mason
    Laura Mennell
    Laura Mennell
    • Janey Slater
    Rob LaBelle
    Rob LaBelle
    • Wally Weaver
    Gary Houston
    Gary Houston
    • John McLaughlin
    James M. Connor
    James M. Connor
    • Pat Buchanan
    • (as James Micheal Connor)
    Mary Ann Burger
    • Eleanor Clift
    John Shaw
    John Shaw
    • Doug Roth
    Robert Wisden
    Robert Wisden
    • Richard Nixon
    Jerry Wasserman
    Jerry Wasserman
    • Detective Fine
    Don Thompson
    Don Thompson
    • Detective Gallagher
    • Director
      • Zack Snyder
    • Writers
      • Dave Gibbons
      • David Hayter
      • Alex Tse
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews1.6K

    7.6601.1K
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    Summary

    Reviewers say 'Watchmen' is acclaimed for its intricate characters, dark themes, and loyalty to the graphic novel. Performances, especially Jackie Earle Haley and Billy Crudup, are highlighted. Criticisms involve pacing, slow-motion effects, and plot deviations. Some find it lengthy and slow, others miss the source material's depth. Violence and graphic content elicit mixed reactions. Despite this, the film is celebrated for its visuals, direction, and its exploration of heroism and morality.
    AI-generated from the text of user reviews

    Featured reviews

    10jehu58

    The world wasn't ready for this super hero classic!

    After 14 years I watched this film again. And after all the MCU shenanigans, I gotta say this film is a masterpiece, from the story to the music and the super heroes. The fact that they are vulnerable makes it more interesting.

    Like I said in the tittle, the world wasn't ready for this movie, if it had came out in this time it would've blown the front door. The way it was made, special effects, graphic fight scenes, nudity, dark tone and soundtrack, Zack Snyder really knocked it out of the park with this one. This is how every super hero film should be made. Not a blockbuster comedy wanna be.

    For a super hero film, a true 10/10 in my book!
    10KOOLAIDBRO

    2023 take

    I thought this movie was just OK when it came out in 2009. Now watching it in 2023 I am watching this movie realizing I was an idiot in 2009. I see the Boys and almost every comic movie since in it in 2023. They've all pulled something from Watchmen. Superheroes with real people problems that have real opinions negative and positive doing both good and bad things all the time. It's great and I'm finally seeing what those that got back in 2009 that were way ahead of the curve. Acting, camerawork, effects, costumes, story, nostalgia, all put on full display in this movie. Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Jackie Earle Haley put on a show in a movie that I felt like everyone was exceptional. That's how good they are. Give this another go if you're somehow here reading this debating on whether you should watch this movie.
    7meabak360

    Superheros without regular clichés

    A group of ex-heroes now abandoned and limited by governments lives in the shadows until someone starts to eliminate them one by one. Rorschach is one of these heroes that begins searching for clues to his old colleagues' murders. The story is one of the most powerful aspects of the movie. Plot twists are good and complicated enough to make it interesting. I have watched the ultimate cut and it had another story in the story that was visualized by animation and somehow related to the main story.

    The cast is another great aspect of the film. Good actors like Jeffrey Dean-Morgan, and Patrick Wilson along with a whole crew of amazing cast is expecting you.

    CG, art, costume design, music, and soundtracks are quite good, especially for a movie released 13 years ago. Zack Snyder did his best in converting one of the darkest and most complex comic books into a movie by being faithful to the books. The only setback, in my opinion, is the length of the film. 3 and a half hours even for an ultimate cut is long if you cannot balance the action and dialogs. This made watchmen a little boring in some places, as I said, it's not balanced so there is maybe an hour in the middle of the movie without much going but on the other hand, you have lots of new information in the last 15 minutes.

    Overall, Watchmen is a good superhero movie without regular clichés. It can be worth your while if you are into the genre. But it could get boring sometimes in the middle of it.
    8mbr196341

    I'll keep this Short.

    I don't believe that I can add anything further, when commenting about this masterpiece, apart from to say, that in my humble opinion, this is possibly the most underrated movie of all time.
    8tobbe_aik_9

    Not your typical comicbook movie

    Christopher Nolan was right. This movie indeed came out too early.

    This movie not only shows us the pictures. But also the people behind them. What I love about Watchmen is that it's mature and basic study of how our society is structured. There's so many quotes that can be used in todays world. And with Zack Snyders visuals. It really blends well.

    I gotta say. People calling this movie "boring" are the ones watching 4 movies a year. And they're all action heavy blockbusters.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      All of the U.S. flags in the film have 51 stars, because in the film's alternate history, Vietnam became the 51st state after America won the Vietnam War.
    • Goofs
      (at around 1h 8 mins) Doctor Manhattan describes a "circulatory system" appearing on the grounds of a government base. However what is depicted is clearly the nervous system, as it features a brain and spinal cord, but no heart or lungs. (This error is repeated from the novel.)
    • Quotes

      Rorschach: I heard joke once: Man goes to doctor. Says he's depressed. Life seems harsh, and cruel. Says he feels all alone in threatening world. Doctor says: "Treatment is simple. The great clown - Pagliacci - is in town. Go see him. That should pick you up." Man bursts into tears. "But doctor..." he says "I am Pagliacci." Good joke. Everybody laugh. Roll on snare drum. Curtains.

    • Crazy credits
      The opening credits themselves often cast shadows in the frame that correspond with the flashes from photographer's bulbs.
    • Alternate versions
      In Thailand the genitals of Dr Manhattan are masked and where Rorschach attack with an ax the victim's head is heavily blurred.
    • Connections
      Edited from Tales of the Black Freighter (2009)
    • Soundtracks
      Unforgettable
      Written by Irving Gordon

      Performed by Nat 'King' Cole (as Nat King Cole)

      Courtesy of Capitol Records

      Under license from EMI Film & Television Music

    Top picks

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    FAQ

    • How long is Watchmen?Powered by Alexa
    • Is "Watchmen" based on a book?
    • Does the film retain its 1985 setting?
    • Why are there two Nite Owls and two Silk Spectres?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 6, 2009 (Canada)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Legendary Entertainment
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Les gardiens
    • Filming locations
      • Riverview Hospital, Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Warner Bros.
      • Paramount Pictures
      • Legendary Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $130,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $107,509,799
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $55,214,334
      • Mar 8, 2009
    • Gross worldwide
      • $185,382,813
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 42 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • SDDS
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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