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Action drama

Eternals (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Eternals (2021) movie poster

Eternals is a 2021 action drama directed by Chloé Zhao, starring Salma Hayek as Ajak, Gemma Chan and Richard Madden. It runs 2 hours 36 minutes and earned $402.1 million worldwide on a $200 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Film Costume Design at the Saturn Awards 2022. Critics gave it 47% on Rotten Tomatoes and 52 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Stream it on Disney Plus, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
47%
worldwide gross
$402.1M
award nomination
1
Eternals (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 36m (156 min)
Director
Chloé Zhao
Genres
Action , Adventure , Sci-Fi , Drama
Original language
English
Budget
$200M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Eternals About?

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

After centuries of hiding, an immortal group of heroes known as the Eternals are called to action. They must reunite to defend humanity from their ancient adversaries, the Deviants, who threaten the survival of Earth. As they confront this formidable foe, the Eternals also grapple with the mysteries of their origins and a devastating loss that compels them to reveal themselves.

Eternals Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • gay
  • superhero
  • homosexual
  • banned film
  • suicide
  • sex scene
  • gay hero
  • gay superhero
  • banned in the middle east
  • gay couple
  • gay kiss
  • f rated
+38 more
  • male male kiss
  • husband husband relationship
  • marvel cinematic universe
  • lgbt
  • heroine
  • little boy
  • based on comic
  • superheroine
  • queer
  • betrayal
  • spaceship
  • volcano
  • inventor
  • team
  • legend
  • creature
  • laser
  • leadership
  • jungle
  • memory
  • snow
  • dog
  • traitor
  • south dakota
  • alaska
  • super speed
  • plow
  • erased memory
  • deception
  • treachery
  • baking
  • mental illness
  • bollywood
  • valet
  • videographer
  • video camera
  • cell phone
  • genocide
Where to watch

Where to Watch Eternals

Stream it on Disney Plus, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Eternals Cast & Characters

Salma Hayek leads the cast as Ajak, with Gemma Chan as Sersi and Richard Madden as Ikaris. Directed by Chloé Zhao; 13 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Eternals Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Eternals 47% on Rotten Tomatoes and 52 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 67/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in story & flow (55).

67 /100

Eternals Echo Score Breakdown

In summary, Eternals delivers impressive visual design and strong performances, yet its sprawling narrative and uneven pacing hinder cohesion. Critics note the film’s tactile sense of place and commend the veteran cast, while many point to bloated runtime and confusing timelines. User feedback mirrors this split, praising cinematography and character moments but criticizing the sluggish plot and lack of narrative clarity. Consequently, the film offers moments of brilliance but struggles to sustain engagement throughout its length.

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

  • Art & Craft 70

    ART: The film’s visual composition receives commendation for its tactile sense of place, striking cinematography, and striking visual effects that many viewers describe as gorgeous. However, critics and audiences alike point to a sluggish pacing, bloated runtime, and uneven editing that detract from the overall craft. These mixed observations result in a competent yet inconsistent artistic execution.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    CHARACTER: Performances are highlighted as the film’s strongest element, with veteran actors delivering nuanced, emotionally resonant portrayals that lift the material. Several reviewers note likable, well‑established characters such as Kingo and Sersi, while others criticize shallow development and illogical choices for certain members. The overall consensus reflects a solid core cast tempered by uneven character depth.

  • Story & Flow 55

    STORY: The narrative’s ambition is marred by a convoluted structure, excessive flashbacks, and an over‑extended three‑hour runtime that many find bloated and confusing. Critics describe the plot as uneven and derivative, while some viewers appreciate the mythic twists and emotional payoff. This division yields a mixed assessment, with the story’s potential undermined by pacing and coherence issues.

  • Sensory Experience 72

    SENSORY: Visual design receives widespread praise, with the cinematography, color palette, and visual effects touted as gorgeous and immersive. Conversely, some critics cite synthetic sentiment and uneven sound design that diminish immersion. While the sensory overload of action set‑pieces creates spectacle, inconsistent editing and occasional CGI flaws temper the overall sensory experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    REWATCH: Audience reactions vary, with some expressing enthusiasm for the film’s mythic! elements and emotional moments, citing a desire for sequels or further exploration. Others find the length, disjointed pacing, and repetitive exposition diminish repeatability. Overall, the rewatch factor is moderate, offering occasional enjoyment for fans but limited appeal for broader audiences.

Plot

Eternals Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Eternals 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 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 5000 BC, a group of ten super-powered beings known as the Eternals are dispatched to Earth aboard their starship, the Domo. Led by the wise and spiritual Ajak (Salma Hayek), this diverse team includes Sersi (Gemma Chan), an empathetic Eternal who has a profound bond with humanity, Ikaris (Richard Madden), who possesses the ability to project cosmic energy beams, and Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani), a Bollywood star enamored with fame.

Full summary

The whole story of Eternals, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Eternals Box Office & Budget

Eternals grossed $402.1 million worldwide on a $200 million budget, 2.0 times what it cost. $164.9 million came from the US and Canada and $237.2 million (59%) from the rest of the world.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$402.1M

2.0× its budget

US & Canada
$164.9M
International
$237.2M
Budget
$200M
US & Canada 41% Rest of the world 59%
Awards

Eternals Awards & Nominations

Eternals earned 1 award nomination, including Best Film Costume Design at the Saturn Awards 2022.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Eternals Trailers & Videos

47 videos: 2 trailers, 21 teasers, 2 clips and 22 featurettes.

All 47 videos
Official Teaser
  • Trailer Final Trailer
  • Teaser Protect
  • Teaser Team
  • Teaser Change
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Eternals?

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 is the leader of the Eternals?

Cars

Cars in Eternals

13 cars on screen, including the 2009 Citroën C4 and the Land-Rover 109'' Series III.

All 13 cars
  • 2009 Citroën C4 in Eternals 2009 Citroën C4 Minor role
  • Land-Rover 109'' Series III in Eternals Land-Rover 109'' Series III Minor role
  • 2018 Lexus LS 500h in Eternals 2018 Lexus LS 500h Minor role
  • Lexus NX in Eternals Lexus NX Minor role
Details

Eternals Also Known As

34 alternative titles, including “Marvel Studios' Eternals” and “ฮีโร่พลังเทพเจ้า”.

Also known as
  • Marvel Studios' Eternals
  • ฮีโร่พลังเทพเจ้า
  • The Eternals
  • 永恆
  • 이터널스
  • Sonsuzlar
  • 永恒族
  • 永恆族, მარადიულები
  • Chủng Tộc Bất Tử
  • Eternos
  • اترنالز
  • Ölümsüzler
+22 more
  • Вечните
  • Вечные
  • Les Éternels
  • Вічні
  • נצחיים
  • Örökkévalók
  • Eternals: Chủng Tộc Bất Tử
  • Éternels
  • Eternals (Eternos)
  • Vječnici
  • エターナルズ
  • الأَبَدِيُّون
  • Вечни
  • الخالدون
  • Eternii
  • Mūžīgie
  • Amžinieji
  • Večni
  • جاودانگان
  • ئەبەدىيلەر
  • इटर्नल्स
  • Igavesed

Seen Eternals?

FAQ

Eternals FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of Eternals, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Eternals?

Eternals runs 2 hours 36 minutes (156 minutes).

When was Eternals released?

Eternals was released on November 5, 2021.

Who directed Eternals?

Eternals was directed by Chloé Zhao.

More films by Chloé Zhao

Who is in the cast of Eternals?

Eternals stars Salma Hayek as Ajak, Gemma Chan as Sersi and Richard Madden as Ikaris, among 13 credited actors.

Where can I watch Eternals?

In the US, Eternals is streaming on Disney Plus and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Eternals make at the box office?

Eternals grossed $402.1 million worldwide ($164.9 million domestic, $237.2 million international) on a budget of $200 million.

How is Eternals rated?

Eternals has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 47% on Rotten Tomatoes, 52 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.

Was Eternals nominated for any awards?

Eternals received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

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