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Inception

Inception

Your mind is the scene of the crime.

2010148 minPG-13Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films
Director
Christopher Nolan
Starring
Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ken Watanabe, Tom Hardy

Cobb, a skilled thief who commits corporate espionage by infiltrating the subconscious of his targets is offered a chance to regain his old life as payment for a task considered to be impossible: "inception", the implantation of another person's idea into a target's subconscious.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Inception?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Inception to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video, and on no subscription service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Inception?

Inception earns 14 badges, led by Top 1% of films and Oscar Winner.

Show 6 more
  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Inception worth watching?

Inception's Midcredits score is the 99th percentile of all films, from 7.4M ratings across 6 sources. 94% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

99th percentile

Better received than 99% of films

99th percentile among Adventure99th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)99th
Approval (how many liked it)99th

85 /100

99th percentile of all films

99th percentile among Adventure99th percentile among 2010s

Critics 74 · Audience 86

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

Ratings pile up at 9–10 with almost no detractors — near-universal love.

94% liked it

99th percentile of all films

99th percentile among Adventure99th percentile among 2010s
94% rated it 7–106% rated it 1–6

Critics 86% · Audience 91%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

4 Oscars won · 3 Oscar noms · 41 wins / 56 noms overall

  • WonAcademy Awards· Best Achievement in Cinematography
  • WonAcademy Awards· Best Achievement in Sound Editing

99th percentile

7.4M ratings across platforms

99th percentile among Adventure99th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Up 7% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$160M
Opening weekend$63M
Domestic gross$293M
Worldwide gross$840M

Returned 5.2× its budget — 98th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree Inception is a visually stunning and technically ambitious puzzle-box of a film, but they split on whether its complexity is a strength or a weakness.

Fans praised

  • mind-bending dream-world concept executed with intricate precision
  • ensemble cast led by a deeply committed DiCaprio performance
  • Zimmer's score amplifies the dreamlike tone and action spectacle

Detractors panned

  • overcomplicated plot that undermines emotional stakes
  • bloated runtime that drags despite constant action
  • score overpowers scenes, building false suspense

What stands out

OriginalityDivisive90

Fresh dream-within-dreams concept lauded as inventive, though some call it derivative

Effects and spectacle90

Gravity-defying set pieces and practical stunts applauded

Cinematography85

Visual tour de force with practical effects and striking imagery

Atmosphere85

Dreamlike immersion into a layered reality

ActingDivisive80

DiCaprio's committed performance and strong ensemble support

EndingDivisive75

Final twist (spinning top) leaves fans thrilled, detractors unsatisfied

Plot and storyDivisive70

High-concept heist structure praised for ambition, panned for convolution

PacingDivisive60

Rushed first act and overlong runtime, but climactic cross-cutting impresses

Preferred by

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

  • Women vs men 1 point apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s even
  • Critics vs users even
  • US vs non-US even

Watch experience

What is Inception like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Tense and gripping: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready to pay close attention and feel heavy feelings, and you want something tense that holds you to the end.

It is intense, never lets up and leaves you thinking. Skip it when you want an easy night or you can only half-watch.

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

What it asks of you

Your full attention, room for heavy feelings and a taste for open questions.

What it feels like

Tense and gripping.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseMelancholicContemplative
Heaviest: throughout
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.Adventurous · 11% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.In medias res · 1% of films: Opens mid-action, then fills in how we got there.Multiple perspectives · 2% of films: The same events retold from different characters' points of view.
ToneNolan plays the material straight with deep sincerity, treating the dream-heist premise as serious, emotionally grounded drama.
The rideThe film maintains sustained tension across dream layers, with emotional weight from Cobb's grief, and swings between high-octane action and quiet moments of reflection.
StructureThe film opens in the middle of a dream heist, then follows a conventional three-act structure with extensive cross-cutting between dream layers. Multiple perspectives are used to show the team's coordinated actions across levels.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Thinking.

Thought-provokingBittersweet
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you pondering the nature of reality and Cobb's ultimate choice, mixed with a poignant sense of his loss and tentative hope.
How it ends · evidence
Ambiguous 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

with Overcoming the monster underneath

Why this archetypeThe story is a mission to plant an idea in a target's subconscious, with the team assembled and executing a complex plan. Cobb's personal journey of redemption and confronting his inner demons also gives it a strong overcoming-the-monster element, with his guilt as the internal monster.

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 filmsSelfPurposeSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% (this title) · Memory 3% (this title) · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% (this title) · 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%

Self

Purpose · 9% of filmsMemory · 3% of filmsGrief · 6% of films
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeCobb's journey is driven by the desire to return home (purpose), while the film explores how memory traps him and unresolved grief for his wife Mal sabotages his mission.
StanceDespite the global scale of the heist, the film interrogates how memory and grief shape identity, questioning whether purpose can be reclaimed from trauma.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticIn transitScience fiction
Orchestral modernElectronicForeground music · original score · Hans Zimmer
Settingshared dream worlds layered across cities, a hotel, a mountain fortress, and limbo
MusicThe iconic "BRAAAM" brass motif became synonymous with the film's sense of scale and urgency.

Content guide

Is Inception okay for kids?

PG-13

Inception is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action throughout” (MPAA). As of October 5, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (56/100), sexual content at minimal (9/100), language at mild (34/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (28/100) and frightening material at moderate (60/100). Overall it is heavier than 56% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 42 other countries
  • UK12A
  • Canada14A
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany12
  • FranceTP
  • Ireland12A
  • New ZealandM
  • JapanG
  • South Korea12
  • Brazil14
  • Argentina+13
  • Austria12
  • Belgium12
  • BGC
  • Czechia12+
  • Denmark15
  • FinlandK-16
  • GreeceΚ-15
  • Hong KongIIB
  • Hungary16
  • IndiaUA
  • Israelהותר לכל
  • ItalyT
  • LTN-13
  • MexicoB
  • MT12
  • MYP13
  • Netherlands12
  • Norway15
  • Poland16
  • PortugalM/12
  • RO15
  • Russia12+
  • SingaporePG
  • SK12
  • South Africa13
  • Spain12
  • Sweden15
  • Switzerland14
  • Taiwan6+
  • TH15
  • Türkiye13+
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 35% of all filmsHeavier than 56% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 62%
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 9%
Profanity
Mild
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 29%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 35%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 74%

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

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is frightening material, heavier than 74% 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 Inception have?

MovieCove's classifier found 3 depicted content warnings in Inception: Gun violence (moderate), Torture (moderate), plus 1 withheld here because it would spoil the plot. Each is backed by a verbatim quote from the parents' guide notes; a missing warning is not a guarantee of absence.

ModerateGun violenceTorture

Cast and crew

Who is in Inception?

Cast

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

Leonardo DiCaprio
as Cobb
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
as Arthur
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.
Ken Watanabe
as Saito
Tom Hardy
as Eames
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Elliot Page
as Ariadne
Dileep Rao
as Yusuf
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Cillian Murphy
as Robert Fischer, Jr.
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Tom Berenger
as Browning
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Marion Cotillard
as Mal
Pete Postlethwaite
as Maurice Fischer
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Inception?

Movies like Inception include The Matrix Revolutions (2003), Tenet (2020) and Point Break (2015). Of the 11 closest matches, several are films set at a tech startup, and several are films that start mid-action.

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

Christopher Nolan wrote and directed 3 of these 11. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Inception?

1.2K other films share the rarest tag below, follows: thief. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.