The Fifth Element (1997)
There is no future without it.
In 2257, a taxi driver is unintentionally given the task of saving a young girl who is part of the key that will ensure the survival of humanity.
| Type | Movie |
|---|---|
| Released | 2 May 1997 |
| Genre | Science Fiction, Action, Adventure |
| Director | Luc Besson |
| Starring | Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich and Gary Oldman |
| Runtime | 126 min |
| Rated | PG-13 |
| Scores | Rotten Tomatoes (average) 6.4/10 · Rotten Tomatoes 71% · Metacritic 52/100 · TMDB users 7.6/10 |
| Budget | $90 million |
| Box office | $264 million worldwide |
Where to watch The Fifth Element
We could not find The Fifth Element on any of the subscription services we track in the US right now. That changes often; open it in Binge Boss and we will show you where it lands.
Where to watch The Fifth Element in 12 other countries
| Country | Streaming on (price a month) |
|---|---|
| Australia | ARD/ZDF |
| Austria | Netflix €13.99, Skygo, Max €11.99 |
| Canada | Netflix $18.99 CAD |
| Denmark | Prime Video 69 kr DKK, Viaplay 289 kr DKK |
| Finland | Prime Video €6.99, Viaplay €13.99 |
| Germany | Netflix €13.99, Skygo, Max €11.99 |
| Ireland | Skygo |
| Japan | Netflix ¥1590 JPY, U-NEXT ¥2189 JPY |
| Norway | Prime Video 79 kr NOK, Viaplay 159 kr NOK |
| Sweden | Prime Video 69 kr SEK, Viaplay 169 kr SEK |
| Switzerland | Netflix CHF22.90 |
| United Kingdom | Skygo |
Subscription, free and ad-supported services we track. All countries as data.
What kind of watch this is
Luc Besson directs a 126-minute science fiction action adventure set in 2257. The story hinges on a taxi driver who accidentally becomes responsible for protecting a young girl, a girl who is part of the key that ensures humanity’s survival. Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, and Gary Oldman appear in the cast. The film’s tone is a loud, colorful collision of genres, treating its apocalyptic stakes with the casual energy of a city cab ride. It is a movie that asks you to suspend your disbelief for a very long time. You will either love the chaos or hate it.
What the critics said
Critics were split, which is predictable for a film this loud. Rotten Tomatoes shows 71% positive reviews, while Metacritic lands on a 52/100, a score that suggests mixed feelings. Roger Ebert called it "one of the great goofy movies," though he noted it plays long. Not everyone agreed. Todd McCarthy of Variety saw a "hodgepodge of elements that don't comfortably coalesce." The audience gave it a B, which is arguably the most honest verdict of all.
How it did with audiences
It cost $90 million and took $264 million worldwide, a ratio that suggests the studio liked the math. In France, it set a record opening for a local release, holding the top spot for seven weeks. It later became the highest-grossing film in that market, a title it kept for 16 years. Audiences clearly saw the value in a space opera with a frog. On TMDB, users rate it 7.6 out of 10.
Awards
The film secured 4 wins from 16 nominations. Luc Besson took the César for Best Director, while Thierry Arbogast claimed Best Cinematography. Dan Weil added a win for Best Production Design. The BAFTA for Best Special Visual Effects also went to the production. It lost both sound nominations to Titanic.
Where it left its mark
The Fifth Element occupies a strange shelf in sci-fi history. Outlets like CBS News and Rotten Tomatoes have called it a cult classic, a label that often implies a audience that can’t agree. In 2007, the Visual Effects Society ranked it 50th among the most influential VFX films, tied with Darby O'Gill and the Little People. Time Out placed it 42nd on their list of 100 best sci-fi movies in 2014. Mark Kermode noted the film splits audiences, remembered watching it at Cannes and seeing the room divide. It is the kind of movie people either love or loathe.
If you liked this
TMDB's recommendations for people who watched The Fifth Element.
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Sources
- The Fifth Element on TMDB — synopsis, cast, ratings and recommendations
- Wikidata Q106506 — review scores, box office and awards (CC0)
- “The Fifth Element” on Wikipedia, by its contributors (history) — reception, audience figures and legacy, summarised and adapted here under CC BY-SA 4.0
- Where to watch and prices: Binge Boss, from TMDB watch-provider data (powered by JustWatch) and our own provider list
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