The Philadelphia Experiment poster

The Philadelphia Experiment

"Past and present collide"

Movie PG-13 2012 1h 25m 4.8 /10
Directed by Paul Ziller

An ultra secret government project tries to bring back the infamous World War II experiment meant to cloak ships and hide them from enemy eyes. The revival sets off a chain of dangerous ripples that pull a present day threat into the open, raising the stakes for everyone involved. As events... Read more

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Streaming availability last verified: January 22, 2026

About The Philadelphia Experiment

An ultra secret government project tries to bring back the infamous World War II experiment meant to cloak ships and hide them from enemy eyes. The revival sets off a chain of dangerous ripples that pull a present day threat into the open, raising the stakes for everyone involved. As events spiral, the line between science and danger becomes blurred, and ordinary people find themselves hunted by forces they barely understand. The story follows a determined survivor from the original test and a relative who teams up with him to halt the calamity before it reshapes history. The tension comes from a race against time and hidden agendas. It probes loyalty and consequences when curiosity overrules caution for those involved.

Directed by Paul Ziller, The Philadelphia Experiment reworks the WWII legend with new ideas from Andy Briggs and David Sanderson. The cast includes Ryan Robbins, Nicholas Lea, Malcolm McDowell, Emilie Ullerup and Michael Paré, giving the story a genre touch.

Audiences noted a mixed reception, reflected in a modest rating around 4.8 out of 10 from 149 votes. The movie leans into conspiracy vibes, time related peril, and family bonds as it confronts a past that refuses to stay buried. The pace favors suspense over spectacle. Its tone stays brisk.

Box office data is not publicly disclosed for this film, which largely circulated through direct to home video and television channels rather than a wide theatrical release, reflecting its niche appeal within science fiction thrillers for dedicated viewers of genre.

Awards and nominations: there are no major awards or nominations listed for this film in standard databases, and it did not receive high profile festival recognition. Some reviews mention the practical effects and performances, but none resulted in awards. The cast's work is praised by fans but leads to prizes.

Details

Release Date
July 27, 2012
Runtime
1h 25m
Rating
PG-13
User Ratings
149 votes
Type
Movie
Genres
Adventure, Science Fiction, Thriller, Mystery
Country
Canada
Studio
Syfy +3 more
External Links
View on IMDB

Official Trailer

Cast

Ryan Robbins

Ryan Robbins

Richard Falkner

Nicholas Lea

Nicholas Lea

Bill Gardner

Malcolm McDowell

Malcolm McDowell

Morton Salinger

Emilie Ullerup

Emilie Ullerup

Molly Gardener

Michael Paré

Michael Paré

Hagan

Lauro David Chartrand-DelValle

Lauro David Chartrand-DelValle

Driver

Gina Holden

Gina Holden

Katheryn Moore

John Reardon

John Reardon

Carl Reed

Allison Hossack

Allison Hossack

Lena

Director: Paul Ziller

Written by: Andy Briggs, David Sanderson

Frequently Asked Questions

The Philadelphia Experiment is not currently available on streaming subscription services, but you can rent or buy it on Google Play, Vudu, and Apple iTunes.

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

With a rating of 4.8/10 from 149 viewers, The Philadelphia Experiment is a mixed bag - check out reviews to see if it's right for you.

An ultra secret government project tries to bring back the infamous World War II experiment meant to cloak ships and hide them from enemy eyes. The revival sets off a chain of dangerous ripples that pull a present day threat into the open, raising the stakes for everyone involved. As events spira...

The Philadelphia Experiment stars Ryan Robbins, Nicholas Lea, Malcolm McDowell, Emilie Ullerup, and Michael Paré.

The Philadelphia Experiment was directed by Paul Ziller.

The Philadelphia Experiment was released on July 27, 2012.

The Philadelphia Experiment is a Adventure, Science Fiction, Thriller, and Mystery film.

The Philadelphia Experiment is a work of fiction inspired by the WWII Philadelphia Experiment myth. The movie centers on a secret government project and the revived Eldridge, not a documentary.

Ryan Robbins plays Richard Falkner, the sole survivor of the first experiment. He teams up with his granddaughter Molly Gardener, played by Emilie Ullerup, to stop the revived ship.

Malcolm McDowell plays Morton Salinger. Salinger is part of the secret project at the heart of the film's mystery.

It's a PG-13 adventure sci-fi thriller, so it has suspenseful moments and action but isn't graphic. The movie is generally suitable for teens who enjoy tense sci-fi stories.