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Sci-fi drama

Megalopolis (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Megalopolis (2024) movie poster

Megalopolis is a 2024 sci-fi drama directed by Francis Ford Coppola, starring Adam Driver as Cesar Catilina, Talia Shire and Haley Sims. It runs 2 hours 13 minutes and earned $14.4 million worldwide on a $120 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Science Fiction Film at the Saturn Awards 2025. Critics gave it 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.7/10.

IMDb rating
4.7/10
worldwide gross
$14.4M
award nomination
1
Echo Score
35
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Megalopolis (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 13m (133 min)
Genres
Drama , Sci-Fi
Original language
English
Budget
$120M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Megalopolis About?

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

In a futuristic reimagining of America, artistic visionary Cesar Catilina opposes Mayor Franklyn Cicero. Catilina dreams of a utopian future, while Cicero maintains a system driven by greed and inequality. Their conflict threatens to fundamentally alter the city and its inhabitants.

Megalopolis Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • utopia
  • architect
  • sex scene
  • city planning
  • stop time
  • struggle for power
  • male nudity
  • male pubic hair
  • brief male frontal nudity
  • architect as protagonist
  • architect's plan
  • disaster
+38 more
  • roman empire
  • fictional city
  • mayor
  • civilization collapse
  • cult of vesta
  • power over time
  • satellite disintegration
  • vestal virgin
  • time control
  • utopian city
  • controlled demolition
  • breakdown of society
  • dystopian society
  • playing harp
  • split screen
  • model
  • snowglobe
  • harp
  • building destruction
  • upside down view
  • year 2024
  • time freeze
  • time stop
  • uncle nephew relationship
  • time
  • pulling a invisible rope
  • virgin
  • proving innocence
  • adult posing as a teenager
  • new idea
  • power
  • gay
  • nightmare
  • moonlight
  • bad reputation
  • creation
  • satellite
  • future
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Cast & crew

Megalopolis Cast & Characters

Adam Driver leads the cast as Cesar Catilina, with Talia Shire as Constance Crassus Catilina and Haley Sims as Sunny Hope Catilina. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Megalopolis

· 16 more
From the director

More from Francis Ford Coppola

More films directed by Francis Ford Coppola, best-rated first: The Godfather, The Godfather: Part II, Apocalypse Now and The Conversation.

Full filmography
Ratings

Megalopolis Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Megalopolis 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 35/100, strongest in art & craft (55) and weakest in story & flow (25).

35 /100

Megalopolis Echo Score Breakdown

In overall, Megalopolis suffers from ambitious scope undermined by narrative incoherence and uneven execution. Critics and viewers highlighted its striking visual concepts and bold thematic intentions, yet most noted that production design and editing often feel disjointed. While a few found value in its inventive approach and raw operatic energy, the majority agreed that its sprawling plot and inconsistent pacing hinder sustained engagement. The film leaves a net impression of unfulfilled promise overshadowed by its chaotic presentation.

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, Megalopolis showcases moments of grand visual ambition but falters in execution. The film’s cinematography delivers striking tableaux, yet inconsistent production design and jarring editing disrupt its visual cohesion. Critics noted a tantalizing inventiveness that ultimately feels undermined by rough patches and impromptu flourishes. The art direction remains a blend of compelling ideas and uneven realization.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    For character and emotion, performances in Megalopolis fluctuate between compelling undertones and aimless delivery. Adam Driver’s nuanced portrayal stands out amid a cast that often appears uninformed and disconnected from the material. Reviewers pointed to a lack of emotional resonance and shallow character development, resulting in limited audience investment. Overall, the character dimension feels uneven and underexplored.

  • Story & Flow 25

    In terms of story and flow, Megalopolis struggles with coherence and engagement throughout its nearly three-hour runtime. The plot’s philosophical ambitions are undermined by abrupt shifts and underdeveloped narrative threads. Multiple reviewers described the storyline as disjointed, overstuffed with references, and ultimately hollow. The overarching narrative lacks clear direction and fails to sustain interest.

  • Sensory Experience 45

    When it comes to sensory experience, Megalopolis presents a mix of captivating imagery and jarring technical inconsistencies. The soundtrack and sound design occasionally heighten the film’s dramatic scope, but abrupt shifts in visual style and uneven CGI draw attention to its rough edges. While certain sequences impress with vivid composition, overall cohesion is compromised by these disparities.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    In terms of rewatch factor, Megalopolis offers limited incentive for repeat viewings. Its expansive runtime and fragmented structure were noted as barriers to sustained appreciation. While a dedicated audience might revisit for thematic depth or standout moments, most viewers found the film’s incoherence and uneven pacing discouraging. The net impression is a low replay value.

Plot

Megalopolis Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Megalopolis 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 5-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The narrative begins with the powerful baritone of Fundi Romaine, who shares a thought-provoking proverb warning about the possible decline of the American empire, similar to ancient Rome if its leaders ignore the wisdom of the past. In the vivid city of New Rome, architect Cesar Catilina is teetering on the brink of a skyscraper, showcasing his extraordinary talent to halt time just before a fall.

Meanwhile, Julia Cicero, the daughter of Mayor Franklyn Cicero, enjoys the high society of the city’s elite alongside her cousins, Clodio Pulcher and Clodia Pulcher. Clodio harbors a troubling obsession with Julia, his interactions filled with an unsettling air. Upon discovering sensational news reports about his daughter’s escapades, Mayor Cicero’s displeasure is unmistakable.

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Box office

Megalopolis Box Office & Budget

Megalopolis grossed $14.4 million worldwide on a $120 million budget, 12% of what it cost. $7.6 million came from the US and Canada and $6.8 million (47%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$14.4M

12% of its budget back

US & Canada
$7.6M
International
$6.8M
Budget
$120M
US & Canada 53% Rest of the world 47%
Awards

Megalopolis Awards & Nominations

Megalopolis earned 1 award nomination, including Best Science Fiction Film at the Saturn Awards 2025.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Megalopolis Trailers & Videos

16 videos: 4 trailers, 4 teasers, 6 clips and 2 featurettes.

All 16 videos
Teaser Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Trailer Get Tickets
  • Teaser UK TV Spot 1
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Megalopolis?

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 warns about the potential downfall of the American empire in the film?

Details

Megalopolis Also Known As

16 alternative titles, including “کلان‌شهر” and “Мегалополіс”.

Also known as
  • کلان‌شهر
  • Мегалополіс
  • מגלופוליס
  • Megalopolis: A Fable
  • Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis
  • Megalópolis: Uma Fábula
  • 大都会
  • Megalópolis
  • 메갈로폴리스
  • Мегалополис
  • Giấc Mộng Tân La Mã, მეგაპოლისი
  • 大都會
+4 more
  • นคราอาเพศ
  • Megalopolisz
  • Megapole
  • 超級大都會

Seen Megalopolis?

FAQ

Megalopolis FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

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

How long is Megalopolis?

Megalopolis runs 2 hours 13 minutes (133 minutes).

When was Megalopolis released?

Megalopolis was released on September 27, 2024.

Who directed Megalopolis?

Megalopolis was directed by Francis Ford Coppola.

More films by Francis Ford Coppola

Who is in the cast of Megalopolis?

Megalopolis stars Adam Driver as Cesar Catilina, Talia Shire as Constance Crassus Catilina and Haley Sims as Sunny Hope Catilina, among 20 credited actors.

How much did Megalopolis make at the box office?

Megalopolis grossed $14.4 million worldwide ($7.6 million domestic, $6.8 million international) on a budget of $120 million.

How is Megalopolis rated?

Megalopolis has 4.7/10 on IMDb, 55 on Metacritic and 52% on TMDB.

Was Megalopolis nominated for any awards?

Megalopolis received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does Megalopolis have a post-credit scene?

No. Megalopolis has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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