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... Read more
Watch NowNot Currently Available On (8 platforms)
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
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
Lieutenant Alex Hopper
Alexander Skarsgård
Commander Stone Hopper
Rihanna
Petty Officer Cora 'Weps' Raikes
Brooklyn Decker
Sam
Tadanobu Asano
Captain Yugi Nagata
Hamish Linklater
Cal Zapata
Liam Neeson
Admiral Shane
Peter MacNicol
Secretary of Defense
John Tui
Chief Petty Officer Walter "The Beast" Lynch
Jesse Plemons
Boatswain Mate Seaman Jimmy "Ordy" Ord
Director: Peter Berg
Written by: Erich Hoeber, Jon Hoeber