Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: February 12, 2010
5.1
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Mixed or average reviews based on 381 Ratings
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129
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134
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6
Meth-dudeApr 18, 2017
It was predictable, safe, cliché, some of the special effects weren't particularly good and most of the attempts at being funny fell flat and the movie felt a little rushed, but it was still enjoyable. The acting was generally good, the movieIt was predictable, safe, cliché, some of the special effects weren't particularly good and most of the attempts at being funny fell flat and the movie felt a little rushed, but it was still enjoyable. The acting was generally good, the movie was entertaining and interesting and it wasn't too long. It's not the greatest fantasy movie for kids, but it's not that bad either.… Expand
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1
diogomendesMay 31, 2016
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. How f*cking stupid. If I hadn't been obligated and forced to see this POS in my classroom, I might have turned it off the second Percy started fighting a Gargoyle-like creature and his longtime friend all the sudden gained donkey legs. -__-

Makes no sense and I don't care. 1/10… Expand
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1
KaleBishopApr 25, 2014
My friend told me that I shouldn't compare this to a book because they are both different but if only it were differently titled I would've believed the story was different.
Before I watched the movie all I know is that Percy Jackson is theMy friend told me that I shouldn't compare this to a book because they are both different but if only it were differently titled I would've believed the story was different.
Before I watched the movie all I know is that Percy Jackson is the son of Poseidon. That's pretty much it. I didn't read the book yet... but once I did I found out that this book is completely different from the movie. I felt that whoever directed this movie was clearly stealing, pardon my french, the name of the book and changing the story almost entirely. But even before I read the book this movie wasn't really that thrilling to begin with. It's all flashy animations and the characters aren't even at their full performance. The plot really deserves a big box of corn because how it was executed was terrible.
Overall, movie does not deserve the name of Rick Riordan's book because of it's terrible execution of acting, scripting and independence from the book.… Expand
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1
coldmix3Jun 2, 2014
Right from the start of the movie it strays from the book. It follows the book very loosely. The book is way better. There was so much potential for a great movie and this film fell short. I wouldn't waste your time if you are the type ofRight from the start of the movie it strays from the book. It follows the book very loosely. The book is way better. There was so much potential for a great movie and this film fell short. I wouldn't waste your time if you are the type of person who likes the movies to stay true to the books.… Expand
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4
vikesh2206Nov 10, 2014
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief completely strays away from it's source material and replaces it with a very clumsy plot. It is also plagued with poor acting even if the movie is enjoyable and has the right feel of the book series.
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8
Kai82Sep 9, 2021
Actually an enjoyable movie with awesome moments even if it is a really poor adaptation that will anger fans of the novels. Lets start at the beginning. The Percy Jackson novels by author Rick Riordan are a series of really successful fantasyActually an enjoyable movie with awesome moments even if it is a really poor adaptation that will anger fans of the novels. Lets start at the beginning. The Percy Jackson novels by author Rick Riordan are a series of really successful fantasy adventure novels. The first series contains 5 books and this movie is the adaptation of the first book “The Lightning Thief”. To give you a perspective I read all the 5 books and found them really enjoyable, full of interesting ideas and likable characters. It transfers the Greek mythology to our modern world and the USA while being original, creative and enjoyable. When I heard that there will be a movie adaptation I was worried and excited at the same time. I was correct with both. Lets start with the positive things: It has an awesome cast of actors including a lot of big names, follows the main points of the book (Just the main points!), is visually impressive and I see that they put a lot of effort into the movie. On the negative side it slays a lot from the books including lore, characters and awesome scenes (Yes you read that right they took out awesome scenes from the book). Especially the amazing climax of the movie is a bit of a disappointment compared to the book. It is basically a re-imagination of the book by the producers in certain parts. While I respect the results as good movie especially if you have seen the sequel the unavoidable “The books are better” statement is true. I give you at the end a summary of the critical parts that are wrong or missing with a spoiler warning. Lets say if you did not read the books and do not know much about Greek mythology it is a great movie and if you know more about the books it is weaker. The story starts with the teenager Percy Jackson and his best friend Grover who is handicapped on a school trip to a museum where a Greek exhibition is show. There he is attack by a creature that demands he hands over the “Lightning Bolt”. This is a start to the adventure as Percy’s worldviews and wildest imaginations will be challenged. Like I already said the story captures the main parts of the books and works well. It is an entertaining movie and I liked it. However they changed so many things that I can see other going into an angry rant. While it was years ago that I read the books I still found a lot of changes, things that were left out or improvised. Lets say it is the rare case were they made at least an enjoyable movie out of a poor adaptation. The cast is superb with a lot of big names. I think all actors did a good job and this enhances the experience. The special and visual effects work really well. They are immersive and add a lot to the scenes. Also these aged well. Overall I repeat my statement that this is an enjoyable movie and a poor adaptation. Now like promised the missing or wrong stuff that I find frustrating with a “Spoiler warning”: Firstly Hades is not the Devil and the Greek underworld is not hell. Tartaros is the place of damnation in Greek mythology for the most evil beings while Hades is for everyone else with the Elysium for the good people while normal people neither suffer or enjoy this afterlife. The titular lightning bolt is not that weak like shown in the climax. It has the power of a giant nuclear warhead and can level even the biggest city with ease. If used for an attack like shown New York would be gone and I mean the state not only the city. No one would even dare to use it. The final battle of the book was against Ares the Greek god of war. Yes you read that correctly. Ares was tricked and the final boss of book one. They could have had a battle against the Furies and a Chimera but we got the Hydra instead which was not part of the book. The reveal of the titular “Lightning Thief” in the books came after the climax and hit hard as we did not expect this and the reason for this were much better. Percy’s fathers identity was a secret until later on. There was no rule that the gods could not see or live with their half human children and human love interest. They could do as they want and some did not care while others seem to be bound to their nature. A theme is that the gods are restricted to their roles / nature. Also all the main characters are much younger. I almost forgot they do not set up the big bad guy of the series in this movie which is a misstep. The camp is actually lead by Dionysus the Greek god of wine. It is actually a punishment and he is not allowed to drink wine. A running gag is that each time he tries the wine is transformed to something else (Diet Pepsi if I remember that correctly) and the other that he always get Percy’s name wrong like Peter or Perry. There is more but it gets too long so I stop here.… Expand
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2
UnderagedReviewDec 22, 2014
I have read all the books in the percy jackson series. This is an awful halfdone piece of **** This movie is not worth it. It doesnt follow the book at the right places. Their business plan must have been: 1. buy license 2. read fanart 3.I have read all the books in the percy jackson series. This is an awful halfdone piece of **** This movie is not worth it. It doesnt follow the book at the right places. Their business plan must have been: 1. buy license 2. read fanart 3. telll everyone they read the book 4. grab cash 5. bad sequal… Expand
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5
morganstephens5Aug 11, 2015
As a standalone, it works perfectly fine. No harm done that way if you look at it in this direction. The actor for Percy did a good job, the effects were alright and all that. But compare it to the book and that is were it fails. So hard.As a standalone, it works perfectly fine. No harm done that way if you look at it in this direction. The actor for Percy did a good job, the effects were alright and all that. But compare it to the book and that is were it fails. So hard. Outside a moderately accurate first ten to fifteen minutes, most of the film is completely made up and has nothing to do with the books. Not only that but the casting choices weren't that great either. The actress for Annabeth wasn't blond. Which she was blonde in the book. I have very mixed feelings about this movie as a whole. For many reasons beyond what I said here. The acting was good. I will give it that. But the adaptation part is just when I can't do it. But it is possibly the only Lighting Thief adaptation we will get. So let's deal with it.… Expand
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3
YellowKirbyMar 11, 2016
Before I get started with the review, I just want to say I really, really, really like the books. But the movie? Pfft, where do I begin? It has terribly wooden acting, ignores its source material, has terrible usage of terrible CGI, andBefore I get started with the review, I just want to say I really, really, really like the books. But the movie? Pfft, where do I begin? It has terribly wooden acting, ignores its source material, has terrible usage of terrible CGI, and almost ruins Percy Jackson. It is a complete and utter disgrace of a film, and should never have been made.… Expand
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7
DanBurritoOct 11, 2015
Well, I enjoyed it but it was totally different from the books on a lot of levels. The main characters are supposed to be 12 (granted, Grover only looks 12 when in fact he's 34 or something but you get what I mean), Grover is supposed to beWell, I enjoyed it but it was totally different from the books on a lot of levels. The main characters are supposed to be 12 (granted, Grover only looks 12 when in fact he's 34 or something but you get what I mean), Grover is supposed to be shy and a bunch of others. But it had charms... Grover, although far from the goofy, shy character we know and love is still the best character and some of the changes worked better for the screen. Still though-the second one was much better.… Expand
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9
Jollyjoe1000Dec 11, 2015
what is the problem with this movie I found it enjoyable, so why is it that everyone else dose not like this movie. I was action pact and intense what else should you expect.
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10
BlinkanddeadOct 30, 2015
Whatever people and all fandom say, it was a good movie just fans exaggerated and complained. Better than Hunger Games and Cathing Fire. Stupid fans, all they doing is denigrate movie and say "Harry Potter wans't like that."
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5
EpicLadySpongeJan 26, 2016
"This movie doesn't deserve to exist."

Geez, now I should've used that phrase on that latest low score I gave a 0 in.... except make it better. It seems like a Harry Potter knockoff though.
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8
gameguardian21Feb 10, 2016
If you have read the book, you probably dont like this movie. If you haven't, you might enjoy the movie, just like I did. I dont get why it is hated. The characters are great, the story is what the book is about, and the cgi is great. TheIf you have read the book, you probably dont like this movie. If you haven't, you might enjoy the movie, just like I did. I dont get why it is hated. The characters are great, the story is what the book is about, and the cgi is great. The movie does not have to be exactly like the book.… Expand
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2
reviewfrom19842Jan 6, 2017
Chris Columbus has been going downhill and has been making some pretty bad movies lately. Percy Jackson is poorly written with mediocre acting. Sadly I think the book is not much better.
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5
MonkiReviewsJun 22, 2017
I don't know much about Percy Jackson, so I don't know the original story. The story needed work, and didn't feel finished. The acting wasn't that great, but not bad. It isn't worth a watch.
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7
JPKDec 7, 2019
Not A Bad Adaptation
Maybe it’s nostalgia from when I saw it in class in 7th grade, But this film was a decent adaptation of the book.
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0
haileyoliveiraMay 13, 2017
Terrible movie. Definite waste of adaptation rights and Logan Lerman. The books all top this easily. This movie is only worse than its sequel. Hope Uncle Rick takes back the rights and Percy gets a good adaptation, maybe with the CW.
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2
winick718Jul 21, 2018
Forced to watch first PercyJackson movie last night. Never seen a film in which everyone, director to star to extras, seemed to be on total and complete autopilot. Maybe it was source material, but did Chris Columbus and Potter team reallyForced to watch first PercyJackson movie last night. Never seen a film in which everyone, director to star to extras, seemed to be on total and complete autopilot. Maybe it was source material, but did Chris Columbus and Potter team really think lightning would strike twice?… Expand
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2
Cassiopeia13PJOOct 8, 2017
I am one of the biggest Percy Jackson fans to exist, but these movies changed basically everything that made the books amazing. (I do love Logan Lerman though, so don't hate me completely.)
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3
MikuReviewsMay 1, 2018
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This will probably be the hardest film review for me... I love the Percy Jackson book series. I think it's probably the best that Rick Riordan (Uncle Rick) has ever made. So... to celebrate the release of The Burning Maze today, I'm reviewing this godawful film. Yaaaaaaaay...

Let's start with the obvious - how loyal is it to the Lightning Thief book?
The answer - I think they just chucked the source material out altogether.
To explain what I mean, allow me to point out the following:
Why is Annabeth's hair brown?
Where is the Ares encounter?
Why are they going round America collecting the beads?
Why wasn't Percy on Annabeth's team in Capture the Flag?
Why is everything so vague?
WHY?!
Dear Gods, movie, where did it all go wrong? Who was in charge? Did you even read the source material?
Also am I the only one who complained about not seeing the scene with Dionysus and Chiron playing cards at the table? I would have loved that.

Speaking of the characters, a good chunk of them are missing. Some of them carried a main role in the story, and yet they're completely missing from the books. I don't get why this was done. It's ridiculous.
And as for the characters that DO appear, they're nothing like in the books. Nothing at all. Did everyone working on this just turn away what Rick had to say?
Granted, some acting performances are quite good. I actually liked Rosario Dawsom as Persephone, and Steve Coogan was a stellar Hades. But from the main cast (Logan Lerman as Percy, Alexandra Daddario as Annabeth, and Jake Abel as Luke), those performances ranged from mediocre to terrible. They just sounded bland, like they were thinking "You're doing this for the money, you're doing this for the money, you're doing this for the money." How does this film expect us to pay attention and investment when even the casting actors sound like they were forced into doing this?

In short, this film is NOT worth your time. Fans of the Percy Jackson series will simply tell you to stick with the books. The books are far superior in every shape, way, and form. And I agree with them. Just read the books, and picture it for yourself in your head. F*ck. This. Movie.… Expand
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4
Max_SpideyApr 23, 2018
[PT-BR] Eu assisti esse filme antes de ler o livro,tinha achado interessante,mas um tempo depois que eu li o livro,eu vi o quão errado era o filme.
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6
Experiment626Dec 26, 2020
The movie was good enough to get me to read the books. I wish they would have stayed closer to the books. Aging the kids was a mistake. An okay movie, but for this series I recommend sticking to the books.
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4
movielover28Jul 12, 2020
This is a pretty dang bad movie. After loving the books this movie was just a huge letdown. I think a four out of ten is extremely generous for this movie.
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8
akshatmahajanNov 18, 2021
I watched this movie with least expectations and enjoyed it. I haven't read Percy Jackson novels so I can't tell if it was good adaptation or not but if you don't compare it with the novel, you will enjoy it. Movie is full of adventure,I watched this movie with least expectations and enjoyed it. I haven't read Percy Jackson novels so I can't tell if it was good adaptation or not but if you don't compare it with the novel, you will enjoy it. Movie is full of adventure, action and mysteries. The actors played their parts very well. Overall, it was a good watch and would recommend it to everyone.… Expand
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0
fartquadOct 10, 2020
this movie sucks so much and its english sucks and i hate it and it sucks like annable is ugly but she is suppised to be hot and then she likes percy jackson and then percy goes to half blood camp and then he is roman not greek myth and thenthis movie sucks so much and its english sucks and i hate it and it sucks like annable is ugly but she is suppised to be hot and then she likes percy jackson and then percy goes to half blood camp and then he is roman not greek myth and then he gets birthed by poseidon and then posideon kills percys chance of enjoying life by leaving him also i like percy in the first book but in movie he doesn't play with colour block rubiks and cube and poopy and this is on disney and he poops rip percy jackson he died in the movie and then he went to fight lucus from lucus and marcus on youtube and then he win and then gives bolt to the big dude jesus and annable is horny and grover is attracted to percys mom and he is fat and then he has horns and he farts and i fart the end… Expand
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6
iCampoRamilDec 29, 2022
Fuera de los libros, que no he leído, y de que fílmicamente no sea una maravilla, a mi me ha gustado bastante ese tono adolescente mezclado con mitología griega (que me apasiona), es una película de aventuras y fantasía, para no pensarFuera de los libros, que no he leído, y de que fílmicamente no sea una maravilla, a mi me ha gustado bastante ese tono adolescente mezclado con mitología griega (que me apasiona), es una película de aventuras y fantasía, para no pensar demasiado y disfrutar mientras las ves.

· Cosas buenas: la parte mitológica me encanta, todo el universo griego y demás está muy chulo, como esa versión nueva de Perseo. El reparto, por cierto, es increíble, Thurman, Brosnan, Bean... Vaya locura de actorazos.
· Cosas malas: el final no me motiva demasiado, técnicamente no es lo que se diga una maravilla.
· Conclusión: lo dicho, una saga que yo creo que daba para más, pero se quedó estancada, supongo que hay mucho hate porque no se parece a los libros, tendré que echarles un ojo.… Expand
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3
iamcathalJan 19, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The movie...dear god what happened.

Chris Columbus turned the simple, short, and introductory plotline into a movie that is rejected by both the fandom and Rick Riordan himself. Scenes were altered and changes made that made the movie stray so far from the books, even by typical book-to-movie adaptation standards. It seemed to be a **** ****

Pros: There are good visual effects in the movie, that do leave you with a "wow" moment every once in a while.
The casino scene, which despite possibly being overtly sexual, was the best part of the entire movie. It was a shame that Disney+ removed it for their version.

Cons:
The movie strayed away from most of the books, and this was an issue that started in this movie and made the future movies even worse. From the small things like using an iPhone to get close to Medusa because of it's shiny back (which was a good move, but demigods aren't supposed to have phones. Plus, the book did not have a phone), to major things like Annabeth's hair being brown instead of blonde.

Overall, the film has redeeming qualities (unlike its successor), and for people who haven't read the books, it was decent. I recommend reading the books first, and only watching his if you want the picture of PJO in your head shattered into a million tiny fragments, because that what it did for the PJO fandom. 3/10… Expand
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7
TrilobietmanJan 28, 2022
Where do I begin? It's a great movie. But I do have my reservations about it. I have read all the books in the series. I thought the books were fantastic. It was like a second Harry Potter for me. So of course I decided to watch the movie.Where do I begin? It's a great movie. But I do have my reservations about it. I have read all the books in the series. I thought the books were fantastic. It was like a second Harry Potter for me. So of course I decided to watch the movie. And I have to say it was disappointing. Lots of heavy changes are brought to the story such as Percy decides to sneak out while he was normally given a quest. And then there are things that are left out, such as Clarrise who does have a reasonable role in the book and you also don't see the buildings of Camp Half-Blood. But of course there are also pluses! It was surprisingly well acted. And the fights were also very good. It was like watching a Greek-themed Mission Impossible movie. And it was also reminiscent of Marvel.

Conclusion: Do you like the book series and thrillers, but do you also dare to deviate from a Greek film, then this is definitely for you. As I said if you have read the books you will see that it often differs but it is still a great film!… Expand
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10
TharanaOct 15, 2021
the best film I've ever seen so really need the next film tyton's curse please
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3
HeroicAge616Nov 1, 2021
The Lightning Thief throws out its subtle and humorous source material for a lackluster action script.
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0
BriningmydogApr 28, 2022
People are saying the story of the books didn't stick with the movies, but the books can almost a decade before the movies. I loved the books, and this was personally the most disappointing experience ever. The movie completely ignored RickPeople are saying the story of the books didn't stick with the movies, but the books can almost a decade before the movies. I loved the books, and this was personally the most disappointing experience ever. The movie completely ignored Rick Riordan's masterpiece. Chris Columbus tried to make this like how he did to Harry Potter, but it doesn't work.
I love Harry Potter, I'm just saying that its not like Harry Potter. Anyways, the movie kinda sucks.… Expand
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6
thepartyisonFeb 4, 2023
This is very mid as a person who really loves Percy Jackson with a passion.
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