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MTDb โ€บ Best of โ€บ 1996 โ€บ The Arrival

The Arrival poster

The Arrival (1996)

โ€œThe greatest danger facing our world has been the planet's best kept secret... until now.โ€

6.0/10 ยท 883 votes 1h 55m pg-13 ThrillerHorrorScience-fictionMystery

#79 of 95 films from 1996 #1963 of 2475 in thriller

Directed by David Twohy ยท Written by David Twohy

โ–ถ Trailer, images & where to stream

Overview

Zane Ziminski is an astrophysicist who receives a message that seems to have extraterrestrial origins. Eerily soon after his discovery, Zane is fired. He then embarks on a search to determine the origins of the transmission that leads him into a Hitchcockian labyrinth of paranoia and intrigue.

Cast

Charlie Sheenas Zane Zaminski
Lindsay Crouseas Ilana Green
Richard Schiffas Calvin
Ron Silveras Gordian
Teri Poloas Char
Phyllis Applegateas Mrs. Roosevelt
Tony T. Johnsonas Kiki
Alan Coatesas Terraformer
Leon Rippyas DOD #1
Buddy Joe Hookeras DOD #2
Javier Morgaas Co-Worker
David Villalpandoas Cabbie
Marรญa Luisa Coronelas Maid
Mรณnica Dionneas Reporter #1

Facts

Release dateMay 31, 1996
Runtime115 min (1h 55m) โ€” about the same as the 1996 average of 109 min
GenresThriller, Horror, Science-fiction, Mystery
LanguageEN
Budget$25,000,000
Box office$14,063,331 (0.6ร— budget)
IMDbtt0115571

More from David Twohy

Pitch BlackPitch Black2000 ยท โ˜… 6.9 ยท 1h 48m The Chronicles of RiddickThe Chronicles of Riddick2004 ยท โ˜… 6.6 ยท 1h 59m RiddickRiddick2013 ยท โ˜… 6.3 ยท 1h 59m A Perfect GetawayA Perfect Getaway2009 ยท โ˜… 6.3 ยท 1h 38m BelowBelow2002 ยท โ˜… 6.0 ยท 1h 45m

If you liked The Arrival

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The BlobThe Blob1988 ยท โ˜… 6.9 ยท 1h 35m SignsSigns2002 ยท โ˜… 6.7 ยท 1h 46m Fire in the SkyFire in the Sky1993 ยท โ˜… 6.7 ยท 1h 49m The RelicThe Relic1997 ยท โ˜… 6.2 ยท 1h 50m SphereSphere1998 ยท โ˜… 6.1 ยท 2h 14m Twelve MonkeysTwelve Monkeys1995 ยท โ˜… 7.6 ยท 2h 9m GattacaGattaca1997 ยท โ˜… 7.6 ยท 1h 47m The OthersThe Others2001 ยท โ˜… 7.6 ยท 1h 41m

Questions

How long is The Arrival?
The Arrival runs 115 minutes (1h 55m).
Is The Arrival worth watching?
TMDB users give it 6/10 across 883 votes, which places it #79 of 95 films released in 1996 in this index (top 18%) and #1963 among 2475 thriller titles.
Who directed The Arrival?
The Arrival was directed by David Twohy. Other well-rated titles by the same director: Pitch Black (2000), The Chronicles of Riddick (2004), Riddick (2013).
Who stars in The Arrival?
Charlie Sheen as Zane Zaminski; Lindsay Crouse as Ilana Green; Richard Schiff as Calvin; Ron Silver as Gordian; Teri Polo as Char; Phyllis Applegate as Mrs. Roosevelt.
What is The Arrival rated?
It carries a pg-13 certification in its home market. Ratings differ by country.
Where can I watch the trailer for The Arrival?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/90464.

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Best of 1996Best thrillerThriller of the 1990sBest horrorHorror of the 1990sBest science-fictionScience-fiction of the 1990sBest mysteryMystery of the 1990sAll lists
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Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-05.