Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Sci-fi drama

Don't Look Up (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Don't Look Up (2021) movie poster

Don't Look Up is a 2021 sci-fi drama starring Jennifer Lawrence as Kate Dibiasky, Leonardo DiCaprio and Melanie Lynskey. It runs 2 hours 25 minutes and earned $791,863 worldwide on a $75 million budget. It won 2 awards from 20 nominations, among them 4 Oscar nominations. Critics gave it 55% on Rotten Tomatoes and 49 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.

IMDb rating
7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
55%
worldwide gross
$791.9K
awards won
2
Loading streaming availability…
Don't Look Up (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 25m (145 min)
Genres
Sci-Fi , Drama , Comedy
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
Budget
$75M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Don't Look Up About?

The premise of Don't Look Up without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

An astronomy grad student and her professor discover a comet on a collision course with Earth and attempt to warn humanity. They launch a media tour to raise awareness, but face challenges in capturing the public's attention amidst social media distractions and a relentless news cycle. With just six months until impact, Kate and Randall struggle against indifference and apathy in a darkly comedic effort to save the planet.

Don't Look Up Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • meteorite
  • asteroid
  • meteor strike
  • meteor
  • comet
  • earth viewed from outer space
  • end of the world
  • disaster
  • natural catastrophe
  • mass hysteria
  • social satire
  • washington d.c.
+38 more
  • impending apocalypse
  • american media
  • satire
  • american female politician
  • earth
  • danger
  • astronomer
  • outer space
  • social commentary
  • astronomy professor
  • social network
  • ignorance
  • female nudity
  • cryogenics
  • ignoring advice
  • prognosis
  • warning
  • doom
  • scientist
  • situation room
  • political leader
  • escape from a planet
  • meteor impact
  • american culture
  • incompetence
  • non sexual female nudity
  • female president
  • apocalypse
  • global warming
  • male teacher female student relationship
  • teacher student relationship
  • imperative in title
  • american politics
  • president of the united states
  • planet viewed from outer space
  • planet earth
  • extramarital affair
  • infidelity
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Don't Look Up Cast & Characters

Jennifer Lawrence leads the cast as Kate Dibiasky, with Leonardo DiCaprio as Dr. Randall Mindy and Melanie Lynskey as June Mindy.

Also Starring in Don't Look Up

· 9 more
Ratings

Don't Look Up Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Don't Look Up 55% on Rotten Tomatoes and 49 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 56/100, strongest in character & emotion (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

56 /100

Don't Look Up Echo Score Breakdown

Don't Look Up delivers a politically charged satire that divides opinion through its uneven execution. Critics highlight a disjointed narrative, hyperactive visual inserts, and a humor that often misses its mark, while some viewers commend the star performances and the film’s audacious premise. The blend of earnest social commentary with broad comedy results in a film that feels both urgent and overextended. Consequently, the movie offers moments of impact but ultimately struggles to sustain a cohesive, satisfying experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 55

    In terms of art and craft, the film exhibits both flashes of technical competence and noticeable missteps. The editing receives praise for its brisk pacing in certain sequences, yet the direction is frequently described as scattershot, with intrusive nature footage and uneven visual inserts. Production design supports the satire but is occasionally overwhelmed by heavy-handed visual jokes. Overall, the artistic execution feels inconsistent, limiting its overall effectiveness.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When evaluating character and emotion, the lead performances stand out as a core strength. DiCaprio and Lawrence deliver nuanced portrayals that anchor the narrative, and supporting actors are noted for solid contributions. Some viewers find Lawrence’s performance confusing, yet the majority view the ensemble as compelling. The emotional resonance of the scientists’ frustration is evident, though occasional flat secondary characters dilute impact. The character work generally enhances the film’s message.

  • Story & Flow 50

    The story and flow of the film generate mixed reactions, oscillating between incisive satire and meandering exposition. Critics point to a prolonged middle section that stalls momentum and a plot that sometimes feels contrived. Conversely, certain audiences appreciate the originality of the premise and its commentary on societal apathy. While the narrative delivers occasional sharp insights, uneven pacing and repetitive beats hinder consistent engagement, resulting in a lukewarm overall impression.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    Sensory experience is marked by a bold, if occasionally overbearing, audiovisual style. The soundtrack and sound design underscore the film’s urgent tone, and visual cutaways to global scenarios reinforce thematic points. However, hyperactive inserts and exaggerated visual gags are sometimes perceived as distracting. The cinematic language effectively communicates the satire’s scale, yet its heavy-handedness can diminish subtlety. Consequently, the sensory elements contribute positively but are tempered by excess.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    Rewatch factor appears limited by the film’s length and uneven pacing. While the satire leaves a lasting impression on some viewers, many cite the overlong runtime and repetitive jokes as deterrents to repeat viewings. The strong performances and thought‑provoking themes encourage discussion, yet the heavy-handed delivery reduces overall replay appeal. In sum, the movie offers occasional reasons to revisit, but its structural flaws lower its rewatch potential.

Plot

Don't Look Up Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Don't Look Up 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

Kate Dibiasky, portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence, is an astronomy graduate student at Michigan State University who stumbles upon a previously unknown near-Earth object while using the Subaru Telescope. Her professor, Dr. Randall Mindy, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, calculates the devastating truth: this comet is on a collision course with Earth, set to impact in just six months with the potential to wipe out all life as we know it. Following the internal confirmation from NASA, Mindy and Dibiasky, alongside NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office head Dr. Teddy Oglethorpe, find themselves at the White House to present their alarming discovery.

Full summary

The whole story of Don't Look Up, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Don't Look Up Box Office & Budget

Don't Look Up grossed $791,863 worldwide on a $75 million budget.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$791.9K

International
$791.9K
Budget
$75M
Awards

Don't Look Up Awards & Nominations

Don't Look Up won 2 awards from 20 nominations, among them 4 Oscar nominations. Its biggest night was the Golden Globes 2022, with 1 win from 4 nominations.

2 wins20 nominations6 ceremonies

Show all 6 ceremonies
Videos

Don't Look Up Trailers & Videos

5 videos: 2 trailers, 2 clips and 1 featurette.

Official Teaser Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Clip Sit Tight and Assess
  • Clip Just Look Up (Full Performance Video)
  • Featurette BFI At Home | Don't Look Up Q&A with Adam McKay
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Don't Look Up?

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 discovers the comet threatening Earth?

Cars

Cars in Don't Look Up

40 cars on screen, including the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu and the 2008 Ford E-Series.

All 40 cars
  • 2016 Chevrolet Malibu in Don't Look Up 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Minor role
  • 2008 Ford E-Series in Don't Look Up 2008 Ford E-Series Minor role
  • 2013 Ford Police Interceptor in Don't Look Up 2013 Ford Police Interceptor Minor role
  • 2003 Lincoln Town Car Stretched Limousine in Don't Look Up 2003 Lincoln Town Car Stretched Limousine Minor role
Details

Don't Look Up Also Known As

36 alternative titles, including “لا تبحث” and “Не смотри вверх”.

Also known as
  • لا تبحث
  • Не смотри вверх
  • Yukarı Bakma
  • Don't Look Up Déni cosmique
  • 돈 룩 업
  • بالا را نگاه نکن
  • Não Olhe para Cima
  • No mires arriba
  • 不要抬头
  • อย่ามองฟ้า
  • Не дивіться вгору
  • Не смотрите наверх
+24 more
  • Don't Look Up : Déni cosmique
  • لا تنظروا إلى السماء
  • No miren arriba
  • K zemi hleď!
  • Ne nézz fel!
  • אל תסתכלו למעלה
  • Μην Κοιτάτε Πάνω
  • Ne gledaj gore
  • Đừng nhìn lên
  • بالا رو نگاه نکن
  • 千萬別抬頭
  • ドント・ルック・アップ
  • Nie patrz w górę
  • K zemi hľaď!
  • Не поглеждай нагоре
  • Не гледај горе
  • Não Olhem para Cima
  • Nu priviți în sus
  • Nežiūrėk aukštyn
  • Ha Eegin Kor, არ აიხედო
  • Ne glej v zrak
  • 千万别抬头
  • Ära vaata üles
  • डोंट लुक अप

Seen Don't Look Up?

FAQ

Don't Look Up FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Don't Look Up, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Don't Look Up?

Don't Look Up runs 2 hours 25 minutes (145 minutes).

When was Don't Look Up released?

Don't Look Up was released on December 10, 2021.

Who is in the cast of Don't Look Up?

Don't Look Up stars Jennifer Lawrence as Kate Dibiasky, Leonardo DiCaprio as Dr. Randall Mindy and Melanie Lynskey as June Mindy, among 13 credited actors.

How much did Don't Look Up make at the box office?

Don't Look Up grossed $791,863 worldwide on a budget of $75 million.

How is Don't Look Up rated?

Don't Look Up has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 55% on Rotten Tomatoes, 49 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.

What awards did Don't Look Up win?

Don't Look Up won 2 awards from 20 nominations, including Best Screenplay at the Golden Globes 2022.

Does Don't Look Up have a post-credit scene?

No. Don't Look Up 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