Jack the Giant Slayer poster

Jack the Giant Slayer

"Prepare for a giant adventure"

Movie PG-13 2013 1h 54m 5.9 /10
Directed by Bryan Singer

A farmhand named Jack stumbles into a world-changing mistake when he activates a long-dormant gateway that links his rural life to a realm inhabited by massive, fearsome giants. As those giants return to reclaim territory they once held, a nearby kingdom finds itself under direct threat. Jack is... Read more

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Streaming availability last verified: February 02, 2026

About Jack the Giant Slayer

A farmhand named Jack stumbles into a world-changing mistake when he activates a long-dormant gateway that links his rural life to a realm inhabited by massive, fearsome giants. As those giants return to reclaim territory they once held, a nearby kingdom finds itself under direct threat. Jack is pulled out of obscurity and into large-scale battles, forging uneasy partnerships with soldiers and a resolute princess as he tries to protect ordinary people. The film focuses on escalating conflicts and Jack's personal growth, showing how a simple young man copes with moral choices, loyalty and the burden of sudden responsibility without revealing the story's key twists.

Released in 2013 and directed by Bryan Singer, the movie adapts the Jack and the Beanstalk legend with a screenplay credited to Darren Lemke, Christopher McQuarrie and Dan Studney, and features Nicholas Hoult, Eleanor Tomlinson and Ewan McGregor in leading roles.

The picture opened as a major studio tentpole but performed modestly at the global box office, failing to turn into a breakout summer phenomenon despite extensive marketing and large production values.

Though it didn't redefine fantasy cinema, the film left an impression with its giant designs and sprawling castle sequences, images that circulated widely in trailers and promotional material and helped fuel discussions about modern takes on classic fairy tales.

Critical and audience reaction was mixed, reflected in an average user rating near 5.9 out of 10. Reviewers tended to praise the visual effects and scale of the action while noting uneven pacing and shallower character work. Thematically, the movie touches on bravery, class tensions and what it means to grow up under extraordinary pressure.

What Viewers Are Saying

5.9/10
from 5,129 ratings

Viewers are divided on "Jack the Giant Slayer," with many appreciating its family-friendly take on the classic fairy tale, decent CGI, and likable cast performances. The story and pacing receive mixed feedback, with some finding it slow or unremarkable, while others enjoy it as an entertaining fantasy adventure. Criticism mainly focuses on the film's animation quality and a perceived lack of originality or depth compared to other adaptations. Overall, audiences see it as a watchable but not exceptional movie.

Details

Release Date
February 27, 2013
Runtime
1h 54m
Rating
PG-13
User Ratings
5,129 votes
Type
Movie
Genres
Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Drama
Country
United States
Studio
New Line Cinema +4 more
Budget
$195,000,000
Box Office
$197,700,000
External Links
View on IMDB

Official Trailer

Cast

Nicholas Hoult

Nicholas Hoult

Jack

Eleanor Tomlinson

Eleanor Tomlinson

Princess Isabelle

Ewan McGregor

Ewan McGregor

Elmont

Stanley Tucci

Stanley Tucci

Roderick

Ian McShane

Ian McShane

King Brahmwell

Bill Nighy

Bill Nighy

General Fallon

Eddie Marsan

Eddie Marsan

Crawe

Ewen Bremner

Ewen Bremner

Wicke

Warwick Davis

Warwick Davis

Old Hamm

Ralph Brown

Ralph Brown

General Entin

Director: Bryan Singer

Written by: Darren Lemke, Christopher McQuarrie, Dan Studney

Frequently Asked Questions

Jack the Giant Slayer 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 5,129 viewers, Jack the Giant Slayer is a mixed bag - check out reviews to see if it's right for you.

A farmhand named Jack stumbles into a world-changing mistake when he activates a long-dormant gateway that links his rural life to a realm inhabited by massive, fearsome giants. As those giants return to reclaim territory they once held, a nearby kingdom finds itself under direct threat. Jack is ...

Jack the Giant Slayer stars Nicholas Hoult, Eleanor Tomlinson, Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, and Ian McShane.

Jack the Giant Slayer was directed by Bryan Singer.

Jack the Giant Slayer was released on February 27, 2013.

Jack the Giant Slayer is a Fantasy, Action, Adventure, and Drama film.

Yes, the film is a loose, modern retelling of the Jack and the Beanstalk fairy tale. It expands the simple folk story into an epic action-adventure with added characters, politics, and a larger backstory about giants reclaiming the earth.

No, there hasn't been an official sequel released. Although the film was positioned as franchise material at the time, no follow-up movie has been produced.

Jack the Giant Slayer is rated PG-13 in the United States for fantasy action and violence. It's generally fine for teens, but younger children might find the giant battles and peril intense.

In the film, the giants return after Jack unwittingly opens a gateway between worlds by using magic beans. Their release rekindles an ancient war as they try to reclaim the land they once ruled.