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Planet 51

Planet 51

Something strange is coming to their planet... Us!

200991 minPGMidcredits score: 34th percentile of all films
Directors
Marcos Martínez, Jorge Blanco, Javier Abad
Starring
Justin Long, Dwayne Johnson, Jessica Biel, Seann William Scott

When Earth astronaut Capt. Chuck Baker arrives on Planet 51 -- a world reminiscent of American suburbia circa 1950 -- he tries to avoid capture, recover his spaceship and make it home safely, all with the help of an empathetic little green being.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Planet 51?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Planet 51 streaming on Sony Pictures Core 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 Planet 51?

Planet 51 earns 8 badges, led by Star-studded and Award Winner.

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

Reception

Is Planet 51 worth watching?

Planet 51's Midcredits score is the 34th percentile of all films, from 174K ratings across 6 sources. 40% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

34th percentile

Better received than 34% of films

19th percentile among Animation33rd percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)31st
Approval (how many liked it)38th

56 /100

31st percentile of all films

15th percentile among Animation31st percentile among 2000s

Critics 39 · Audience 57

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.1 — solid but not unanimous.

40% liked it

38th percentile of all films

25th percentile among Animation35th percentile among 2000s
40% rated it 7–1060% rated it 1–6

Critics 23% · Audience 40%

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

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 3 wins / 3 noms overall

96th percentile

173K ratings across platforms

91st percentile among Animation93rd percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 32% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$70M
Opening weekend$12M
Domestic gross$42M
Worldwide gross$106M

Returned 1.5× its budget — 86th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree the film's central premise—a human as the alien on a 1950s-style planet—is inspired, but execution squanders its potential.

Fans praised

  • clever reverse-E.T. premise flips alien invasion perspective
  • vivid 1950s-alien world with sharp retro art direction
  • lively voice cast, including Dwayne Johnson, Justin Long, Gary Oldman, John Cleese

Detractors panned

  • derivative script stitched from countless film references
  • flat, one-dimensional characters and clichéd arcs
  • uninspired humor relying on crass and repetitive jokes

What stands out

AtmosphereDivisive70

charming retro-futuristic world, rich detail, 50s Americana

ActingDivisive60

professional, energetic voice work, even if not distinctive

HumorDivisive45

mixed bag: clever in-jokes for adults, potty humor for kids

PacingDivisive45

starts promising but drags into repetitive chases

OriginalityDivisive40

clever inversion but heavy borrowing from sci-fi canon

DialogueDivisive40

references shine, but script lacks wit and timing

Plot and storyDivisive35

promising premise underdeveloped, conventional chase structure

Characters30

thin, stereotypical roles save Rover and a few side figures

Preferred by

Under-30s vs over-30s

Preferred by Over-30s

Over-30s scored it 18 points higher than under-30s.

US vs non-US

Preferred by Non-US Viewers

Non-US viewers scored it 17 points higher than US viewers.

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

  • Women vs men 2 points apart
  • Critics vs users 8 points apart

Watch experience

What is Planet 51 like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Easy laugh: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something light that makes you laugh and does not take itself seriously.

It leaves you entertained. Skip it when you want something with weight.

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

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Easy laugh.

Moods
JoyfulTenseWarm
Heaviest: middle
Register
WarmPlayful
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its 1950s alien-world premise with affectionate humor and genuine warmth, never undercutting its characters or story.
The rideThe film balances lighthearted alien adventure with chase sequences that create mild tension, but the overall mood stays bright and comedic.
StructureStandard three-act structure: setup, confrontation, resolution.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

FunFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves viewers entertained and cheerful without demanding reflection.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

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).Voyage
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%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4% (this title): Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% (this title) · 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%

Voyage and return: Into a strange world and back again, changed. · Fish out of water: Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).

4% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeAn alien teenager helps a stranded astronaut evade the local military and return to his ship.

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 filmsSelfFriendship
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% (this title) · 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%: 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% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% (this title) · 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%

Bonds

Friendship · 9% of filmsPrejudice · 3% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores how friendship can bridge fear and misunderstanding between strangers.
StanceThe film celebrates overcoming prejudice and finding friendship across differences, as both Lem and Chuck learn to see past their initial fears.

The world

TimelessSuburbanInstitutionalUrbanScience fiction
Supportive music · original score
SettingThe retro-futuristic town of Glipforg on Planet 51, a 1950s-style American suburb populated by little green aliens.

Content guide

Is Planet 51 okay for kids?

PG

Planet 51 is rated PG: “Rated PG for mild sci-fi action and some suggestive humor” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (32/100), sexual content at mild (29/100), language at mild (16/100), drug and alcohol content at minimal (13/100) and frightening material at mild (35/100). Overall it is heavier than 30% of PG-rated films.

Ratings in 13 other countries
  • UKU
  • AustraliaPG
  • Germany6
  • IrelandG
  • New ZealandPG
  • BrazilL
  • Austria6
  • Denmark7
  • Hungary12
  • NetherlandsAL
  • SpainAPTA
  • Sweden7
  • Switzerland6
Overall
Mild · all five categories
Heavier than 8% of all filmsHeavier than 30% of PG-rated films
Violence & Gore
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 39%
Sex & Nudity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 67%
Profanity
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 27%
Alcohol & Drugs
None / Minimal
light for a PG-rated film
heavier than 25%
Frightening / Intense
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 42%

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 42% of PG-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 Planet 51 have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Planet 51?

Cast

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

Justin Long
as Lem
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Dwayne Johnson
as Captain Charles T. Baker
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.
Jessica Biel
as Neera
Seann William Scott
as Skiff
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Gary Oldman
as General Grawl
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.
John Cleese
as Professor Kipple
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Freddie Benedict
as Eckle
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Alan Marriott
as Glar
First film: No prior film role; they had worked in television.
Mathew Horne
as Soldier Vesklin
James Corden
as Soldier Vernkot
newcomer then · star now

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Planet 51?

Movies like Planet 51 include Escape from Planet Earth (2013), Gulliver's Travels (2010) and Meet Dave (2008). Of the 12 closest matches, two are films written by Joe Stillman, and several are fish-out-of-water stories.

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

4 of these 12 share its world: spacecraft. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Planet 51?

199 other films share the rarest tag below, follows: astronaut. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.