Pixels

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1:31

Pixels

PG-13

2015

1h 46m

Comedy

Action

Adventure

Fantasy

Sci-Fi

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

18%

Tomatometer

203 Reviews

46%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

When aliens intercept video feeds of classic arcade games and misinterpret them as a declaration of war, they attack Earth, using the games as models. Knowing that he must employ a similar strategy, President Will Cooper (Kevin James) recruits his childhood pal, former video-game champ and home-theater installer Sam Brenner (Adam Sandler), to lead a team of old-school arcade players and a military specialist (Michelle Monaghan) in an all-out battle to save the planet.

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Critics Consensus

Much like the worst arcade games from the era that inspired it, Pixels has little replay value and is hardly worth a quarter.

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Udita Jhunjhunwala

Livemint

Aug 15, 2019

The film catalogues the worst set of performances seen in a while, particularly Dinklage's accent and Gad's pubescent antics.

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

Mar 7, 2016

2/4

It's a neat idea for a parody disaster film but it's wholly lost in this melange of underwritten characters and awful dialogue.

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Alison Willmore

BuzzFeed News

Nov 10, 2015

There are scenes in the surreally lazy, occasionally funny Pixels in which Sandler's face slips into the exact same weary, disgruntled expression he wears in Funny People.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Aug 13, 2022

2/4

...a fun, innovative premise that is, for the most part, employed to underwhelming and frequently tedious effect...

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Jun 9, 2022

1.5/4

The humor is juvenile and inane, the characters are unbelievable and over-the-top, and the overall temperament is childish.

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Angus Batey

NME (New Musical Express)

May 18, 2021

3.5/5

Pixels is a likeable and unpretentious piece of summertime fun, if you can let yourself enjoy it for what it is.

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R T

@DrippyBoy7299 Sep 19, 2026

I obviously don't care what the critics say, this is such a banger of a movie and a must see but also definitely one of my favorite video game related movies of all time and had great action and comedy parts as well.

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Daniel L

@Hotchopeppa Sep 8, 2026

Love this movie. No idea why it has such a bad rating. Adam Sandler and Kevin James, combined with old school video game nostalgia, and throw in the gorgeous Michelle Monaghan for some eye candy. What more could you want? Win win win!

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Fearlessmrxjr G

@LilMrxjr Sep 3, 2026

Best movie ever yall new gens just hating

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Cinema S

@cinema_sensei Aug 28, 2026

I honestly don't care what critics say - I watched this as a kid and had an absolute blast. The concept of giant 80s arcade villains taking over the city looks awesome visually, and the lighthearted comedy hit just right for me. Some of the human drama and jokes feel cheesy now, but as a purely fun sci-fi comedy, it holds a soft spot for me.

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Athena P

@RT58441872 Aug 25, 2026

Awesome movies, have rewatched multiple times since it came out. Family classic, would always recommend this movie if you love comedies and Adam Sandler.

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R T

@RT12953856 Aug 23, 2026

Had To turn it off mid-way it was so bad, seriously don’t watch, seems like a pac-man movie and it kinda is but done horribly

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Chris Columbus

Director

Adam Sandler

Sam Brenner

Kevin James

President Will Cooper

Michelle Monaghan

Lt. Col. Violet Van Patten

Peter Dinklage

Eddie Plant

Josh Gad

Ludlow Lamonsoff

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Pixels: International Trailer 1

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Synopsis

When aliens intercept video feeds of classic arcade games and misinterpret them as a declaration of war, they attack Earth, using the games as models. Knowing that he must employ a similar strategy, President Will Cooper (Kevin James) recruits his childhood pal, former video-game champ and home-theater installer Sam Brenner (Adam Sandler), to lead a team of old-school arcade players and a military specialist (Michelle Monaghan) in an all-out battle to save the planet.

Director: Chris Columbus
Producer: Allen Covert, Mark Radcliffe, Adam Sandler
Screenwriter: Tim Herlihy, Timothy Dowling
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Columbia Pictures, LStar Capital
Rating: PG-13 (Suggestive Comments|Some Language)
Genre: Comedy, Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 24, 2015, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 23, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $78.7M
Runtime: 1h 46m
Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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