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Ender's Game

Ender's Game

This is not a game.

2013114 minPG-13Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films
Director
Gavin Hood
Starring
Asa Butterfield, Hailee Steinfeld, Harrison Ford, Viola Davis

Based on the classic novel by Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game is the story of the Earth's most gifted children training to defend their homeplanet in the space wars of the future.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Ender's Game?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Ender's Game streaming on MovieSphere+ via Prime Video and Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Ender's Game?

Ender's Game earns 6 badges, led by Spectacle and Crowd Pleaser.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Ender's Game worth watching?

Ender's Game's Midcredits score is the 63rd percentile of all films, from 472K ratings across 6 sources. 60% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

63rd percentile

Better received than 63% of films

77th percentile among Action63rd percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)58th
Approval (how many liked it)66th

64 /100

58th percentile of all films

74th percentile among Action58th percentile among 2010s

Critics 51 · Audience 65

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.7 — solid but not unanimous.

60% liked it

66th percentile of all films

77th percentile among Action66th percentile among 2010s
60% rated it 7–1040% rated it 1–6

Critics 63% · Audience 65%

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences approve at similar rates.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 1 wins / 6 noms overall

98th percentile

472K ratings across platforms

97th percentile among Action98th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 9% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$110M
Opening weekend$27M
Domestic gross$62M
Worldwide gross$126M

Returned 1.1× its budget — 87th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

The film is a visually striking sci-fi spectacle that sacrifices the novel's psychological complexity for compressed storytelling.

Fans praised

  • visually stunning CGI and zero-G battle room sequences
  • Asa Butterfield's performance balances vulnerability with intelligence
  • thought-provoking moral and ethical questions about war

Detractors panned

  • rushed pacing with no time for character development
  • shallow adaptation that strips the book of its emotional depth
  • condensed plot leaves non-readers confused and disconnected

What stands out

Effects and spectacleDivisive85

impressive CGI, battle scenes, and space design

CinematographyDivisive80

gorgeous shots of space and zero-G environments

ActingDivisive70

strong lead performance, mixed supporting cast effectiveness

EndingDivisive55

divisive twist; satisfying for some, underwhelming for detractors

Plot and storyDivisive40

faithful outline but rushed, with logical gaps

PacingDivisive35

extremely rushed, feels like highlights reel

Emotional impactDivisive35

muted, due to lack of character connection

CharactersDivisive30

underdeveloped, lacking depth and emotional connection

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 3 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 1 point apart
  • Critics vs users 9 points apart
  • US vs non-US 2 points apart

Watch experience

What is Ender's Game like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Dark and unsettling: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready for heavy feelings, and you want something dark that stays with you.

It is intense and leaves you haunted. Skip it when you want an easy night.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Room for heavy feelings.

What it feels like

Dark and unsettling.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseMelancholicContemplative
Heaviest: late
Register
Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.Epic · 2% of films: Vast in scale: big landscapes, big stakes, a long span.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its moral drama and military training straight, never winking at the audience.
The rideSustained tension through the training and battles, with a melancholic and contemplative heaviness settling after the genocide reveal.
StructureThe story unfolds chronologically through Ender's training and final mission.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Haunted.

The answer rests on this: Haunting · 14% of filmsBittersweet
Why it leaves you this wayThe film's moral twist lingers, leaving unease about the cost of victory.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet endingTwist

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).QuestMission
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10% (this title): Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% (this title) · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Quest: A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles. · Mission: Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).

10% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeEnder is recruited and trained to lead a military mission against an alien threat.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfGuiltMorality
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16% (this title): Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% (this title) · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% (this title) · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% (this title) · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Morality

Guilt · 3% of filmsWar · 1% of filmsSacrifice · 4% of films
Mourns its theme: Grieves its theme, or what has been lost of it.Cosmic stakes: Consequences reach beyond the world.Single lead
How it treats its themeEnder's prodigious tactical skill makes him a weapon of genocide, and the film dwells on the moral weight of his actions and his lasting guilt.
StanceThe film mourns the necessity of violence and the cost of victory, centering on Ender's guilt over genocide.

The world

Near futureInstitutionalOuter spaceScience fiction
Orchestral modernElectronicSupportive music · original score · Steve Jablonsky
SettingEarth's Battle School in orbit, then a forward base near the Formic homeworld
MusicA dramatic, synth-tinged orchestral score that underscores the training sequences and the weight of the final battle.

Content guide

Is Ender's Game okay for kids?

PG-13

Ender's Game is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for some violence, sci-fi action and thematic material” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (45/100), sexual content at minimal (6/100), language at mild (27/100), drug and alcohol content at minimal (10/100) and frightening material at moderate (37/100). Overall it is heavier than 13% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 19 other countries
  • UK12A
  • CanadaPG
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany12
  • FranceTP
  • Ireland12A
  • New ZealandM
  • Brazil10
  • Denmark11
  • FinlandK-12
  • GreeceK12
  • ItalyT
  • Netherlands12
  • Norway12
  • PortugalM/12
  • Russia12+
  • Spain7
  • Sweden11
  • Türkiye13+
Overall
Mild · all five categories
Heavier than 13% of all filmsHeavier than 13% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 48%
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 4%
Profanity
Mild
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 15%
Alcohol & Drugs
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 10%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 37%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is violence, heavier than 48% of PG-13-rated films.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Ender's Game have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Ender's Game?

Cast

3 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Asa Butterfield
as Ender Wiggin
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Hailee Steinfeld
as Petra Arkanian
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Harrison Ford
as Colonel Graff
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Viola Davis
as Major Gwen Anderson
Ben Kingsley
as Mazer Rackham
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Abigail Breslin
as Valentine Wiggin
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Aramis Knight
as Bean
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Moises Arias
as Bonzo Madrid
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Nonso Anozie
as Sergeant Dap
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Suraj Partha
as Alai
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Ender's Game?

Movies like Ender's Game include Terminator Salvation (2009), Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) and Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015). Of the 12 closest matches, most are films set in outer space, and most are mission stories.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

9 of these 12 share its world: space opera. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Ender's Game?

263 other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: space opera. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.