World War Z (2013)
There will come a day when the world we know will end.
Life for former United Nations investigator Gerry Lane and his family seems content. Suddenly, the world is plagued by a mysterious infection turning whole human populations into rampaging mindless zombies. After barely escaping the chaos, Lane is persuaded to go on a mission to investigate this disease. What follows is a perilous trek around the world where Lane must brave horrific dangers and long odds to find answers before human civilization falls.
| Type | Movie |
|---|---|
| Released | 19 June 2013 |
| Genre | Action, Horror, Science Fiction |
| Director | Marc Forster |
| Starring | Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos and Daniella Kertesz |
| Runtime | 116 min |
| Rated | PG-13 |
| Scores | Rotten Tomatoes (average) 6.2 · Metacritic 63/100 · Rotten Tomatoes 67% · TMDB users 6.9/10 |
| Budget | $190 million |
| Box office | $540 million worldwide |
Where to watch World War Z
World War Z is streaming on Paramount+ ($13.99 a month) in the US. It is also on Peacock ($16.99 a month). If that is the only reason to subscribe, one month of Paramount+ is $13.99 at list price.
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What kind of watch this is
World War Z is a 2013 action-horror film directed by Marc Forster. It runs 116 minutes. The premise is simple: a man goes around the world to find the cure before everyone dies. That is the hook. The execution is less about slow dread and more about kinetic panic. Brad Pitt plays Gerry Lane, a former United Nations investigator whose quiet life ends when a mysterious infection turns populations into rampaging zombies. He is persuaded to investigate the disease. The result is a perilous trek that prioritizes speed over atmosphere. It feels like a disaster movie wearing a zombie costume. If you want tension built on silence, this is not that.
What the critics said
Critics found the film uneven but engaging. Rotten Tomatoes reports a 67% Tomatometer score as of March 2026, based on 277 reviews. Metacritic assigns a 63/100 Metascore as of November 2024. The consensus notes smart thrills and a solid Brad Pitt performance. Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times called it "entertaining as hell." Peter Travers of Rolling Stone noted the suspense is "killer." Not everyone agreed. Joe Neumaier of the New York Daily News dismissed it as an "anemic actioner.
How it did with audiences
It cost $190 million and took in $540 million worldwide. In the United States, it earned $203 million. Variety called it a "bona-fide box office hit," though Deadline Hollywood later suggested it "barely broke even." Audiences on TMDB give it a 6.9 user score. The numbers are loud; the reviews are quieter.
What came next for the cast
Brad Pitt moved from Inglourious Basterds to Fury, then Deadpool 2. The range is vast, yet the pivot is sharp. Mireille Enos followed The Killing with a trio of 2014 films, including If I Stay. James Badge Dale went from The Departed to The Walk. These trajectories do not prove the film caused them. They simply happened next.
If you liked this
TMDB's recommendations for people who watched World War Z.
Sources
- World War Z on TMDB — synopsis, cast, ratings and recommendations
- Wikidata Q28196 — review scores, box office and awards (CC0)
- “World War Z (film)” 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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