The Terminal

Name: The Terminal
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Released: June 18, 2004
Duration: 128 min
Rating: 55
Cast: Catherine Zeta Jones, Chi McBride, Tom Hanks

2004

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 41 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 385 Ratings

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8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 385 Ratings

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The Terminal

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Movie Details & Credits

DreamWorks Distribution | Release Date: June 18, 2004 | PG-13

Starring: Catherine Zeta Jones, Chi McBride, Tom Hanks

Summary: The Terminal tells the story of Viktor Navorski (Hanks), a visitor to New York City from Eastern Europe, whose homeland erupts in a fiery coup while he is in the air en route to America. Stranded at John F. Kennedy International Airport with a passport from nowhere, he is unauthorized to actually enter the United States and must improviseThe Terminal tells the story of Viktor Navorski (Hanks), a visitor to New York City from Eastern Europe, whose homeland erupts in a fiery coup while he is in the air en route to America. Stranded at John F. Kennedy International Airport with a passport from nowhere, he is unauthorized to actually enter the United States and must improvise his days and nights in the terminal's international transit lounge until the war at home is over. As the weeks and months stretch on, Viktor finds the compressed universe of the terminal to be a richly complex world of absurdity, generosity, ambition, amusement, status, serendipity and even romance with a beautiful flight attendant (Zeta-Jones). (DreamWorks)… Expand

Director: Steven Spielberg

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 128 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Michael Wilmington

The movie is a delight in many ways: an unabashed romantic comedy and Capraesque fable that takes Spielberg into realms he's rarely traveled before. Read full review

Dallas Observer Bill Gallo

Thanks to Spielberg's vivid storytelling and Hanks' matchless gift for bringing the common man to life, this is a relentlessly charming movie. Read full review

William Arnold

As well made, entertaining and seductive a showcase for Hanks as it is, the movie doesn't have a magical impact and doesn't stay with you. And while you're watching it, there's always some slight annoyance, inconsistency or motivational-lapse to slap your face in almost every scene. Read full review

Rick Kisonak

It may not be great but you're guaranteed to feel great walking out the theater door. Read full review

Peter Travers

In his sappiest film since 1989's "Always," director Steven Spielberg has come down with a case of the cutes that the whole cast catches. Read full review

David Denby

The Terminal is highly crafted whimsy; it lacks any compelling reason to exist, and its love story is a dud. Ever bashful when it comes to boy-girl stuff, Spielberg has structured the relationship between Amelia and Viktor to be as asexual as possible. Read full review

David Sterritt

As he showed in the recent "Catch Me if You Can," also a Hanks vehicle, Spielberg has little talent for emotional realism, not to mention psychological suspense. He should scurry back to "Jurassic Park" as soon as the next flight leaves. Read full review

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User Reviews

Anand14

Oct 6, 2014

superb film.this is one of my all time favourite movies.tom hanks has outshone himself in this great movie. The direction,camera,editing are all awesome.love this movie

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

gm101

Dec 4, 2010

This is definitely one of my all time favorite movies (and this is coming from someone who loves critically loathed summer blockbusters). Great movie to watch before travelling.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

JP32

Jun 15, 2020

If you really want to see why Spielberg is uncommonly skilled, you have to strip away the extra storytelling weapons. Take the mundanity of, say, an airport terminal, and watch how he makes it appear so magical, sparkling, and alive.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MichaelM.

Oct 22, 2004

A lot of people panned this film, but I thought it was really cool if you could set aside reality. Tom Hanks did a great job (as always), as a man who visits New York from another country, and is not allowed to leave JFK airport or go back home. Stranded in the airport for almost a year he A lot of people panned this film, but I thought it was really cool if you could set aside reality. Tom Hanks did a great job (as always), as a man who visits New York from another country, and is not allowed to leave JFK airport or go back home. Stranded in the airport for almost a year he makes many friends (mostly from the janitoring staff) and falls in love with a history-obsessed flight attendant (Catherine Zeta-Jones). The movie is corny at parts, especially at the ending, but if you don't take it too seriously, I promise you you'll have a good time. Stanley Tucci is convincing as an a--hole. He almost always plays a--holes. I wonder why...… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Maldonio

Jul 24, 2023

Appiccicoso come i resti di un barattolo di miele infrantosi sul pavimento ah eh oh oh uhhhh forsen forsen forsen forsen

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JustinC

Dec 13, 2005

It's a good movie, don't get me wrong, just a loooooooooong and sometimes boring one.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Sebe2012

Dec 8, 2014

Considering how particular the states in immigration and border control, The film is so unrealistic. In reality , someone like tom hanks character would end up in a detention centre and eventually kicked out of the states.However Spielberg sugar coats and tones down such story to show howConsidering how particular the states in immigration and border control, The film is so unrealistic. In reality , someone like tom hanks character would end up in a detention centre and eventually kicked out of the states.However Spielberg sugar coats and tones down such story to show how kind the states to the american audience and the world . Tom Hanks's character is coming from an imaginary Eastern European country in turmoil but all he would like to do in New York is to see a jazz concert. Such a thing can only happen in a Spielberg film… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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47	#47 Most Discussed Movie of 2004
41	#41 Most Shared Movie of 2004