Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Romantic comedy

Asteroid City (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Asteroid City (2023) movie poster

Asteroid City is a 2023 romantic comedy directed by Wes Anderson, starring Edward Norton as Conrad Earp, Scarlett Johansson and Sophia Lillis. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes and earned $53.9 million worldwide on a $25 million budget. It earned 2 award nominations, including Best Production Design at the Critics' Choice 2024. Critics gave it 76% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10.

IMDb rating
6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
76%
worldwide gross
$53.9M
award nominations
2
Loading streaming availability…
Asteroid City (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 44m (104 min)
Director
Wes Anderson
Genres
Comedy , Romance
Original language
English
Budget
$25M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Asteroid City About?

The premise of Asteroid City without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In the 1950s, a Junior Stargazer convention brings together students and parents in the desert town of Asteroid City. Their gathering is disrupted by unexpected and world-altering events, forcing them to confront a strange new reality. As they grapple with the unfolding crisis, the attendees search for connection, humor, and a sense of normalcy amidst the extraordinary circumstances.

Asteroid City Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • desert
  • 1950s
  • arizona desert
  • astronomy
  • asteroid
  • stargazer
  • small town
  • military
  • alien
  • love
  • mechanic
  • alien encounter
+38 more
  • diner
  • nuclear test
  • photographer
  • play
  • desert town
  • actress
  • brief female nudity
  • female nudity
  • year 1955
  • car breakdown
  • nuclear explosion
  • jet pack
  • unidentified flying object
  • precocious child
  • crater
  • telephone booth
  • taking a photograph
  • gas station
  • quirky comedy
  • ensemble cast
  • quarantine
  • female full frontal nudity
  • written by director
  • some scenes in black and white
  • full frontal nudity
  • female topless nudity
  • photograph
  • science fair
  • father son relationship
  • fictional play
  • train
  • little girl
  • mushroom cloud
  • tupperware
  • male female relationship
  • pay phone
  • surreal comedy
  • showbiz comedy
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Asteroid City Cast & Characters

Edward Norton leads the cast as Conrad Earp, with Scarlett Johansson as Midge Campbell and Sophia Lillis as Shelly. Directed by Wes Anderson; 17 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Wes Anderson

More films directed by Wes Anderson, best-rated first: Isle of Dogs, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Rushmore and Fantastic Mr. Fox.

Full filmography
Ratings

Asteroid City Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Asteroid City 76% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 74/100, strongest in sensory experience (90) and weakest in story & flow (55).

74 /100

Asteroid City Echo Score Breakdown

Asteroid City delivers a visually striking experience while its narrative proves uneven. Critics and many viewers commend Wes Anderson’s meticulous production design, color palette, and cinematography, noting the film as a sensory showcase. However, both critics and users point to a fragmented plot, opaque storytelling, and moments of self‑indulgent pacing that hinder engagement. Character depth receives mixed feedback, with some praising performances and others describing flatness. Consequently, the film offers strong artistic merits but limited rewatch appeal, yielding a moderately positive overall assessment.

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

  • Art & Craft 88

    Regarding direction and visual craftsmanship, Asteroid City excels through precise framing, an exuberant color palette, and detailed set design that evoke Anderson’s signature aesthetic. Critics consistently highlight the dazzling production design and meticulous cinematography, while a minority note occasional over‑saturation. Overall, the artistic execution is regarded as a standout strength, reinforcing the film’s visual identity.

  • Character & Emotion 66

    In terms of acting and character depth, the ensemble cast receives both praise and criticism. Some reviewers commend nuanced performances and chemistry that amplify emotional moments, while others describe characters as flat and artificial. The mixed feedback reflects a divide between appreciation for cast talent and perceived lack of substantive development, resulting in an average perception of character work.

  • Story & Flow 55

    Evaluating plot coherence and pacing, reviewers note a whimsical premise hampered by confusing structure. Positive comments cite inventive story beats and engaging meta‑layers, yet many critics and users label the narrative as disjointed, lackluster, and self‑indulgent. This polarity leads to a middling assessment of the story, recognizing creative ambition but highlighting significant execution flaws.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    The film’s auditory and visual texture garners consistent acclaim; the soundtrack, sound design, and striking color schemes are described as immersive and cohesive. Critics and users alike praise the sumptuous compositions and distinctive sonic palette that enhance the cinematic experience. Minor remarks mention occasional over‑indulgence, yet the sensory dimension remains a dominant positive element.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Rewatch potential is viewed as moderate; some critics anticipate a return to the film for its visual richness and layered narrative, while several users describe it as tedious and lacking lasting appeal. The combination of striking aesthetics and a polarizing story results in a divided audience, leading to a modest yet uneven desire for subsequent viewings.

Plot

Asteroid City Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Asteroid City from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In a retro-futuristic rendition of the 1950s, a television host presents a documentary that delves into the creation and production of Asteroid City, a captivating play by the renowned playwright Conrad Earp. The events of the play are portrayed in vibrant widescreen color, while the accompanying television special is depicted in a classic black-and-white Academy ratio.

Full summary

The whole story of Asteroid City, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Asteroid City Box Office & Budget

Asteroid City grossed $53.9 million worldwide on a $25 million budget, 2.2 times what it cost. $28.2 million came from the US and Canada and $25.7 million (48%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$53.9M

2.2× its budget

US & Canada
$28.2M
International
$25.7M
Budget
$25M
US & Canada 52% Rest of the world 48%
Awards

Asteroid City Awards & Nominations

Asteroid City earned 2 award nominations, including Best Production Design at the Critics' Choice 2024. The 2 nominations come from 2 ceremonies.

2 nominations2 ceremonies

Videos

Asteroid City Trailers & Videos

23 videos: 1 trailer, 2 teasers, 9 clips, 8 featurettes and 3 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 23 videos
Official Trailer
  • Teaser Watch at Home NOW
  • Teaser Yours to Own Promo
  • Clip "You Were Very Good" Official Clip
  • Clip "You Didn't Ask Permission" Official Clip
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Asteroid City?

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 character Auggie Steenbeck in Asteroid City?

Details

Asteroid City Also Known As

21 alternative titles, including “Thành Phố Sao Chổi” and “Asteroidų miestas”.

Also known as
  • Thành Phố Sao Chổi
  • Asteroidų miestas
  • 星城Online
  • 小行星都市
  • آستروید سیتی
  • Cidade do Asteroide
  • Asteroid Şəhəri
  • Երկնաքարի քաղաքը
  • 애스터로이드 시티
  • Астероїд-Сіті
  • Город астероидов
  • Thành Phố Thiên Thạch
+9 more
  • مدينة الكويكب
  • 小行星城
  • Asteroit Şehir
  • אסטרואיד סיטי
  • แอสเทอรอยด์ ซิตี้
  • Астероид Сити
  • アステロイド・シティ
  • شهر سیارکی
  • Asteroīdu pilsēta, ასტეროიდების ქალაქი

Seen Asteroid City?

FAQ

Asteroid City FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Asteroid City, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Asteroid City?

Asteroid City runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).

When was Asteroid City released?

Asteroid City was released on June 16, 2023.

Who directed Asteroid City?

Asteroid City was directed by Wes Anderson.

More films by Wes Anderson

Who is in the cast of Asteroid City?

Asteroid City stars Edward Norton as Conrad Earp, Scarlett Johansson as Midge Campbell and Sophia Lillis as Shelly, among 17 credited actors.

How much did Asteroid City make at the box office?

Asteroid City grossed $53.9 million worldwide ($28.2 million domestic, $25.7 million international) on a budget of $25 million.

How is Asteroid City rated?

Asteroid City has 6.4/10 on IMDb, 76% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76 on Metacritic and 65% on TMDB.

Was Asteroid City nominated for any awards?

Asteroid City received 2 nominations across 2 ceremonies.

Does Asteroid City have a post-credit scene?

No. Asteroid City has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app