National Treasure

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2:22

National Treasure

PG

2004

2h 10m

Adventure

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

47%

Tomatometer

176 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Historian and code-breaker Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) has been searching his whole life for a rumored treasure dating back to the creation of the United States. Joining an expedition led by fellow treasure hunter Ian Howe (Sean Bean), Gates finds an ice-locked Colonial ship in the Arctic Circle that contains a clue linking the treasure to the Declaration of Independence. But when Howe betrays him, Gates has to race to get to the document ahead of his so-called colleague.

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Critics Consensus

National Treasure is no treasure, but it's a fun ride for those who can forgive its highly improbable plot.

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Matthew Rozsa

Salon.com

07/04/2019

3/4

It is a definitely guilty pleasure, and 90 percent of the reason why can be summed up in two words: Nicolas Cage.

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Namrata Joshi

Outlook

01/08/2019

2/4

There might be too many inaccuracies in the plot, the mix of the past and the present is naive and at times downright silly but makes for fun viewing if you don't put your thinking caps on. The film has enough to keep you involved.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

12/26/2010

2/5

Historical adventure is a fun romp for tweens and up.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

02/06/2025

6/10

It’s never as good as the properties it apes (some of which are copied copiously and brazenly; it struggles with a unique identity), but it’s still routinely funny and entertaining.

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Jason Delgado

Film Threat

07/04/2022

7/10

Fire up the grill and enjoy a little Cage madness mashed together with some over-the-top Jerry Bruckheimer action!

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Micheal Compton

Bowling Green Daily News

11/18/2019

D

Directed by Jon Turteltaub, National Treasure is nothing but a series of silly stunts and chases that just rush by.

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Whitney F.

@Whyit Feb 9

Decent movie. It was nice to have in the background although it felt a bit nonsensical at times.

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Jennifer L

@Jenergizer Jan 6

The critic review(s) above stating "National Treasure is no treasure" is either a fool, didn't actually watch the movie, or watched with their eyes closed! 🙈 This movie, and it's sequel, a week thought out, a great story AND backstory, a date I say, downright riveting! A city version of Indian Jones meets Lara Croft if you will. If you've not watched them based on a few reviewers claims, ignore them!!! If you enjoy movies sure as the 2 mentioned you'll enjoy this as well 😀 Watch! ENJOY!! then come back and tell those nay-sayers they were wrong, and it IS worth the watch! 😁

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Brandon K

@TheKeizer Dec 22

Not at all realistic, but a fun ride all the way through with a unique plot and characters.

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Mark L

Dec 4

National Treasure is as improbable as Indiana Jones, but also nearly as much fun. You have an excellent cast, Nicholas Cage plays the lead Ben Gates- not nearly as annoying as he is in other movies - and Diane Kruger as the equally capable love interest, and supported by Sean Bean and Jon Voight, and even a brief cameo by Christopher Plummer. It's a fun chase/quest movie and there's not many dull moments. The entire film is implausible, but who cares. You get a fun chase through American history. The film is good for most ages - I'd say 6+. It's one of the few movies that both kids and adults can enjoy if you just sit back and let the ride take you.

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Nathan V.

@natopoppins Nov 6

It’s a fun movie that harkens back to the glory days of late 90s, early 2000s action-detective movies. It has some twists and turns that aren’t necessarily mind-blowing but are fun and campy. I would recommend that any dad watch this with his kids; they would have a great time.

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D P

Sep 13

I knew there was a reason I never cared to watch this film. 20 years later, I finally watch it, and I was totally justified. I didn't care for this at all.

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Jon Turteltaub

Director

Nicolas Cage

Ben Gates

Diane Kruger

Abigail Chase

Justin Bartha

Riley Poole

Sean Bean

Ian Howe

Jon Voight

Patrick Gates

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Synopsis

Historian and code-breaker Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) has been searching his whole life for a rumored treasure dating back to the creation of the United States. Joining an expedition led by fellow treasure hunter Ian Howe (Sean Bean), Gates finds an ice-locked Colonial ship in the Arctic Circle that contains a clue linking the treasure to the Declaration of Independence. But when Howe betrays him, Gates has to race to get to the document ahead of his so-called colleague.

Director: Jon Turteltaub
Producer: Oren Aviv, Jerry Bruckheimer
Screenwriter: Ted Elliott, E. Max Frye, Jim Kouf, Marianne Wibberley, Cormac Wibberley
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Declaration Productions Inc., Touchstone Pictures, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Junction
Rating: PG (Some Scary Images|Action/Violence)
Genre: Adventure, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 19, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $173.0M
Runtime: 2h 10m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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