Watchmen

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2:19

Watchmen

R

2009

2h 42m

Action

Adventure

Fantasy

Mystery & Thriller

Comedy

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Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

64%

Tomatometer

304 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

In an alternate 1985 America, costumed superheroes are part of everyday life. When one of his former comrades is murdered, masked vigilante Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley) uncovers a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes. As he reconnects with his retired associates, only one of which has true powers, Rorschach glimpses a far-reaching conspiracy involving their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the world's future.

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Critics Consensus

Gritty and visually striking, Watchmen is a faithful adaptation of Alan Moore's graphic novel, but its complex narrative structure may make it difficult for it to appeal to viewers not already familiar with the source material.

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Matthew Rozsa

Salon.com

07/23/2019

3.5/4

When given a great story and told that his job is to simply adapt it, Snyder more than rises to the occasion.

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Matt Singer

The Rumpus

09/18/2017

The only way to truly adhere to Alan Moore's vision of Watchmen would be to not make the movie in the first place.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

09/12/2017

B+

Watchmen isn't your typical caper flick filled with kickass effects and gunfire and no premise.

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Kyle Logan

Cultured Vultures

Feb 16

The best superhero movie Snyder has made...Watchmen is an epic that feels worthy of its 3 hour director’s cut runtime largely because it has so much story to tell.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

10/28/2023

The story of costumed superheroes into the real world offers a visual spectacle to be sure, but it emphasizes the “novel” in graphic novel: narrative complexity, character dynamism, the density of fiction and history and commentary swirling together.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

09/05/2023

2.5/4

Ambitious films like this are generally either glorious artistic successes or utter failures; Watchmen uniquely falls somewhere in the middle.

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Michael M

@joseywales357 1d

This was absolutely a great movie, visually incredible, unique directing skills and ability. I highly recommend for sci-fi fans and fans that are interested in comic books turning into a movie.

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Jasmine W

@jasniquejewels 3d

I was impressed by this live action adaptation probably my favorite film zack snyder ever directed.

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Leigh S

@Icedprism Aug 24

I am impressed, he did a great job on character choices. JDM played a great Comedian..

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Raquel E

@raquelea Aug 23

A dark, thought-provoking take on superheroes that’s far more interested in morality, power, and ideology than traditional heroism. I loved how committed the characters are to their philosophies, even when those beliefs lead them to horrifying places, and the story isn’t afraid to leave you questioning whether the ends can ever justify the means. The visual storytelling is incredibly creative, the opening is a work of art, and the soundtrack might genuinely be one of the best I’ve ever heard. The pacing had a significant impact on my experience, most of the characters didn’t connect with me equally, and the women deserved much better writing. Flawed, but with some genuinely brilliant highs.

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Keith B

@Okbullard Aug 15

It was not bad but was kind of getting a little tedious before the end. I doubt I'd ever watch it again. Btw most of the Marvel superhero films (take your pick) are much better than this one.

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Daddy M

@daddymooch Aug 4

One of if not the best superhero movie ever made

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Zack Snyder

Director

Billy Crudup

Jon Osterman

Malin Akerman

Laurie Jupiter

Jackie Earle Haley

Walter Kovacs

Matthew Goode

Adrian Veidt

Patrick Wilson

Dan Dreiberg

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Synopsis

In an alternate 1985 America, costumed superheroes are part of everyday life. When one of his former comrades is murdered, masked vigilante Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley) uncovers a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes. As he reconnects with his retired associates, only one of which has true powers, Rorschach glimpses a far-reaching conspiracy involving their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the world's future.

Director: Zack Snyder
Producer: Lawrence Gordon, Lloyd Levin, Deborah Snyder
Screenwriter: David Hayter, Alex Tse
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Lawrence Gordon Productions, Lloyd Levin
Rating: R (Nudity|Language|Sexuality|Strong Graphic Violence)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery & Thriller, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 6, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 31, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $107.5M
Runtime: 2h 42m

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