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Adventure sci-fi film

A Wrinkle in Time (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

A Wrinkle in Time (2018) movie poster

A Wrinkle in Time is a 2018 adventure sci-fi film directed by Ava DuVernay, starring Storm Reid as Meg, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Reese Witherspoon. It runs 1 hour 49 minutes and earned $132.7 million worldwide on a $100 million budget. Critics gave it 43% on Rotten Tomatoes and 53 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.3/10.

IMDb rating
4.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
43%
worldwide gross
$132.7M
Echo Score
48
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A Wrinkle in Time (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 49m (109 min)
Director
Ava DuVernay
Original language
English
Budget
$100M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is A Wrinkle in Time About?

The premise of A Wrinkle in Time without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

After the mysterious disappearance of their scientist father, Meg and Charles Wallace Murry begin a remarkable journey to find him. Accompanied by a friend, Calvin O'Keefe, and the enigmatic Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which, they travel through space and time. Their quest leads them to confront a powerful, shadowy force threatening the universe, while also discovering the importance of love, family, and believing in oneself.

A Wrinkle in Time Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • based on novel
  • space time
  • teenager
  • magic
  • father daughter relationship
  • bearded man
  • mean girl
  • woman in white
  • interracial relationship
  • flower
  • speaking to flowers
  • flying creature
+38 more
  • bipedal alien
  • seer
  • living in a cave
  • beach umbrella
  • red eyes
  • bratty child
  • countering hate with love
  • tentacles
  • telepathy
  • telekinesis
  • body falls apart
  • space travel
  • brother sister relationship
  • african american
  • planet
  • implied female nudity
  • search for father
  • darkness
  • surrealism
  • epic sci fi
  • epic fantasy
  • interdimensional sci fi
  • teen fantasy
  • time travel sci fi
  • female director
  • female filmmaker
  • child prodigy
  • triple f rated
  • f rated
  • title directed by female
  • twin
  • science
  • scientist
  • girl
  • boy
  • fake eyelashes
  • goggles
  • fake hair
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Cast & crew

A Wrinkle in Time Cast & Characters

Storm Reid leads the cast as Meg, with Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Mrs. Murry and Reese Witherspoon as Mrs. Whatsit. Directed by Ava DuVernay; 15 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in A Wrinkle in Time

· 11 more
From the director

More from Ava DuVernay

More films directed by Ava DuVernay, best-rated first: 13th, Origin, Selma and Middle of Nowhere.

Full filmography
Ratings

A Wrinkle in Time Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave A Wrinkle in Time 43% on Rotten Tomatoes and 53 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 48/100, strongest in art & craft (63) and weakest in rewatch factor (40).

48 /100

A Wrinkle in Time Echo Score Breakdown

In overall terms, A Wrinkle in Time delivers a visually distinctive yet narratively uneven experience. The film’s imaginative imagery and direction earn praise for their scope, but inconsistent pacing and a heavy-handed metaphysical storyline hinder engagement. While performances, notably by its lead, offer moments of sincerity, limited character development undercuts emotional resonance. Additionally, sound design and production design contribute to striking scenes, yet many find the CGI aesthetics bland. These combined factors yield a mixed impression with modest overall appeal.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 63

    In terms of direction and cinematography, the film alternates between striking imagery and inconsistent camera work. Reviews note moments of imaginative framing and rich production design countered by sequences of bland CGI effects. Editing choices occasionally support the intended magical rhythm but sometimes undermine visual cohesion. Overall, the visual craft shows ambition but is hindered by uneven execution across key scenes.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    When it comes to character depth and emotional resonance, performances deliver isolated sincerity amidst broader shortcomings. Critics commend the lead’s nuanced portrayal but point to minimal development of supporting roles and a lack of emotional authenticity. User feedback frequently cites thin characterizations and a deficiency of meaningful interactions. As a result, the film’s character dimension feels underdeveloped and fails to sustain consistent engagement.

  • Story & Flow 45

    In terms of plot coherence and pacing, the narrative exhibits notable inconsistencies. Critics highlight heavy-handed thematic delivery and glacial pacing in the first act, while some acknowledge its refreshing focus on pure fantasy. User commentary describes fragmented exposition and a simplified adaptation that omits substantive elements from the source material. Consequently, the story unfolds unevenly, diminishing overall engagement and narrative momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    When considering score, sound design, and visual style, the film offers intermittent sensory highlights tempered by technical shortcomings. Positive notes arise from an imaginative soundtrack and ambient effects that enhance key sequences, though several reviewers criticize bland CGI textures and inconsistent audio mixing. The production design contributes to immersive set pieces, yet uneven sound editing occasionally detracts from cohesion. Overall, the sensory experience alternates between engaging moments and technical lapses.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    In terms of rewatch value and lasting appeal, the film struggles to sustain interest beyond initial viewings. While some viewers appreciate its thematic optimism and select visually striking moments, many find limited depth in its narrative and character arcs upon replay. Pacing issues and repetitive exposition further impede enjoyable subsequent experiences. Therefore, the rewatch factor remains modest, with few elements compelling repeated viewings.

Plot

A Wrinkle in Time Plot Summary

What happens in A Wrinkle in Time from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Thirteen-year-old Meg Murry finds herself grappling with the challenges of both school and home life, particularly since the mysterious disappearance of her father, Alex. Alex, a respected scientist conducting research in astrophysics, vanished under enigmatic circumstances, and both Meg and her mother, Kate, suspect that he may have cracked the code of humanity’s existence, leading to his teleportation to another realm.

Full summary

The whole story of A Wrinkle in Time, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

A Wrinkle in Time Box Office & Budget

A Wrinkle in Time grossed $132.7 million worldwide on a $100 million budget, 1.3 times what it cost. $100.5 million came from the US and Canada and $32.2 million (24%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$132.7M

1.3× its budget

US & Canada
$100.5M
International
$32.2M
Budget
$100M
US & Canada 76% Rest of the world 24%
Videos

A Wrinkle in Time Videos

The clip of A Wrinkle in Time.

They Speak In Colour!
Quiz

How Well Do You Know A Wrinkle in Time?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who plays the role of Meg Murry in 'A Wrinkle in Time'?

Cars

Cars in A Wrinkle in Time

2 cars on screen: the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300 E W124 and the 2018 Nissan Leaf.

  • 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300 E W124 in A Wrinkle in Time 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300 E W124 Background role
  • 2018 Nissan Leaf in A Wrinkle in Time 2018 Nissan Leaf Background role
Details

A Wrinkle in Time Also Known As

35 alternative titles, including “Un Viaje en el tiempo” and “Das Zeiträtsel”.

Also known as
  • Un Viaje en el tiempo
  • Das Zeiträtsel
  • Un pliegue en el tiempo
  • 시간의 주름
  • Un raccourci dans le temps
  • Излом времени
  • Időcsavar
  • Складки часу
  • Uma Dobra no Tempo
  • Nelle pieghe del tempo
  • Et spring i tiden
  • Zamanda Kıvrılma
+23 more
  • Pułapka czasu
  • Πτυχή Στο Χρόνο
  • Гънка във времето
  • קמט בזמן
  • Struny času
  • Hyppy ajassa
  • Uma Viagem no Tempo
  • ย่นเวลาทะลุมิติ
  • Ett veck i tiden
  • Капије времена
  • O buclă în timp
  • Namig v času
  • Laiko vingis
  • Nabor u vremenu
  • V pasti času
  • Ajalõhe
  • 時間的皺摺
  • 时间的皱折
  • 第五次元
  • چروکی در زمان
  • リンクル・イン・タイム
  • Laika plaisa, დროის ნაპრალი
  • Nếp Gấp Thời Gian

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FAQ

A Wrinkle in Time FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of A Wrinkle in Time, each answered in a sentence.

How long is A Wrinkle in Time?

A Wrinkle in Time runs 1 hour 49 minutes (109 minutes).

When was A Wrinkle in Time released?

A Wrinkle in Time was released on March 9, 2018.

Who directed A Wrinkle in Time?

A Wrinkle in Time was directed by Ava DuVernay.

More films by Ava DuVernay

Who is in the cast of A Wrinkle in Time?

A Wrinkle in Time stars Storm Reid as Meg, Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Mrs. Murry and Reese Witherspoon as Mrs. Whatsit, among 15 credited actors.

How much did A Wrinkle in Time make at the box office?

A Wrinkle in Time grossed $132.7 million worldwide ($100.5 million domestic, $32.2 million international) on a budget of $100 million.

How is A Wrinkle in Time rated?

A Wrinkle in Time has 4.3/10 on IMDb, 43% on Rotten Tomatoes, 53 on Metacritic and 51% on TMDB.

Does A Wrinkle in Time have a post-credit scene?

No. A Wrinkle in Time has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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