Battleship poster

Battleship

Movie 2012 5.9 /10
Directed by Peter Berg

In the film, a human probe into space brings back a message that triggers a sudden alien visitation near Hawaii. On the naval cruiser USS John Paul Jones, Lieutenant Alex Hopper starts as a flashy but inexperienced weapons officer who must prove he can handle real danger. An international naval... Read more

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Streaming availability last verified: January 14, 2026

About Battleship

In the film, a human probe into space brings back a message that triggers a sudden alien visitation near Hawaii. On the naval cruiser USS John Paul Jones, Lieutenant Alex Hopper starts as a flashy but inexperienced weapons officer who must prove he can handle real danger. An international naval coalition joins forces to halt a technologically superior assault. As battles erupt across the sea, Hopper's quick thinking and growing leadership are tested under the watchful eyes of his brother and the Admiral who raised him. The clash blends high octane action with personal duty and bravado. Behind the scrapes and explosions lies a quieter arc about earning trust and stepping up when it counts. Battles unfold with bold tempo and thunderous sound design.

Directed by Peter Berg, Battleship is inspired by the Hasbro board game and translates a naval setting into a space age alien invasion. The production blends practical effects with CGI for large scale action and a broad summer crowd appeal.

The movie proved to be a sizable box office draw, grossing just over 300 million worldwide, with most earnings coming from international markets. It opened domestically solidly and then found strong life overseas in the summer release window, aided by familiar action set pieces and broad appeal.

Battleship entered the wave of big budget game adaptations and is often cited as a cautionary example of how excess and big CGI can overwhelm character and plot. It sparked conversations about marketing impact, audience appetite for blockbuster scale, and cross promotional tie ins and merchandising, later analyzed in retrospectives.

Some audiences appreciated the buddy humor between Hopper and his brother, while others wished for stronger emotional stakes. The film nonetheless completes a straightforward action arc with a simple message about duty, teamwork, and defending home shores. It remains a product of its era, a loud summer spectacle.

What Viewers Are Saying

5.9/10
from 5,786 ratings

Viewers generally find Battleship visually impressive, praising its special effects, alien designs, and action sequences, especially the use of naval hardware. However, audiences also criticize the film for its weak story, underdeveloped characters, and subpar acting, feeling that the narrative takes a backseat to CGI spectacle. While some find it an entertaining watch for casual viewing, others see it as a superficial, toy-like blockbuster lacking depth.

Details

Release Date
April 11, 2012
User Ratings
5,786 votes
Type
Movie
Genres
Thriller, Action, Adventure, Science Fiction

Official Trailer

Cast

Taylor Kitsch

Taylor Kitsch

Lieutenant Alex Hopper

Alexander Skarsgård

Alexander Skarsgård

Commander Stone Hopper

Rihanna

Rihanna

Petty Officer Cora 'Weps' Raikes

Brooklyn Decker

Brooklyn Decker

Sam

Tadanobu Asano

Tadanobu Asano

Captain Yugi Nagata

Hamish Linklater

Hamish Linklater

Cal Zapata

Liam Neeson

Liam Neeson

Admiral Shane

Peter MacNicol

Peter MacNicol

Secretary of Defense

John Tui

John Tui

Chief Petty Officer Walter "The Beast" Lynch

Jesse Plemons

Jesse Plemons

Boatswain Mate Seaman Jimmy "Ordy" Ord

Director: Peter Berg

Written by: Erich Hoeber, Jon Hoeber

Frequently Asked Questions

Battleship is not currently available on streaming subscription services, but you can rent or buy it on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

Yes, you can rent on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video or buy on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

With a rating of 5.9/10 from 5,786 viewers, Battleship is a mixed bag - check out reviews to see if it's right for you.

In the film, a human probe into space brings back a message that triggers a sudden alien visitation near Hawaii. On the naval cruiser USS John Paul Jones, Lieutenant Alex Hopper starts as a flashy but inexperienced weapons officer who must prove he can handle real danger. An international naval c...

Battleship stars Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgård, Rihanna, Brooklyn Decker, and Tadanobu Asano.

Battleship was directed by Peter Berg.

Battleship was released on April 11, 2012.

Battleship is a Thriller, Action, Adventure, and Science Fiction film.

No. Battleship is a science fiction action film and not based on real events. It’s a fictional story inspired by alien invasion ideas.

Alexander Skarsgård plays Commander Stone Hopper, Alex Hopper's brother and a key commander on the mission.

Rihanna plays Petty Officer Cora 'Weps' Raikes, a crew member who helps defend the ship during the alien attack.

The film runs about 131 minutes, which is two hours and eleven minutes.