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Action adventure film

Pacific Rim: Uprising (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Pacific Rim: Uprising (2018) movie poster

Pacific Rim: Uprising is a 2018 action adventure film directed by Steven S. DeKnight, starring John Boyega as Jake Pentecost, Cailee Spaeny and Rinko Kikuchi. It runs 1 hour 51 minutes and earned $290.9 million worldwide on a $150 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Legion M Breakout Director at the Saturn Awards 2019. Critics gave it 42% on Rotten Tomatoes and 44 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10.

IMDb rating
5.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
42%
worldwide gross
$290.9M
award nomination
1
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Pacific Rim: Uprising (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 51m (111 min)
Genres
Action , Adventure , Sci-Fi
Original language
English
Budget
$150M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Pacific Rim: Uprising About?

The premise of Pacific Rim: Uprising without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Years after the defeat of the Kaiju, a new threat emerges, prompting the Jaeger program to train a new generation of pilots. Rebellious pilot Jake Pentecost struggles with his past while leading a diverse team of young warriors against an unprecedented Kaiju attack. As the fate of humanity rests in their hands, Jake must confront his demons and prove his worth in the fight against the monstrous invaders.

Pacific Rim: Uprising Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • sequel
  • robot
  • giant robot
  • kaiju
  • mecha
  • mount fuji
  • alien parasite
  • teenage hero
  • giant monster
  • alien creature
  • alien monster
  • robot as menace
+38 more
  • alien
  • monster
  • teenager
  • academy
  • simulation
  • creature
  • giant creature
  • high tech
  • robot suit
  • female engineer
  • female mechanic
  • chinese
  • snow
  • china
  • piloted giant robot
  • snow adventure
  • second part
  • returning character killed off
  • flying robot
  • final battle
  • final showdown
  • chase
  • foot chase
  • punched in the face
  • punched in the chest
  • kicked in the stomach
  • kicked in the face
  • head butt
  • beating
  • stylized violence
  • fight to the death
  • battle
  • battlefield
  • combat
  • sequel to cult favorite
  • showdown
  • epic battle
  • dual wield
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Cast & crew

Pacific Rim: Uprising Cast & Characters

John Boyega leads the cast as Jake Pentecost, with Cailee Spaeny as Amara Namani and Rinko Kikuchi as Mako Mori. Directed by Steven S. DeKnight; 17 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Pacific Rim: Uprising

· 13 more
Ratings

Pacific Rim: Uprising Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Pacific Rim: Uprising 42% on Rotten Tomatoes and 44 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 51/100, strongest in sensory experience (70) and weakest in story & flow (40).

51 /100

Pacific Rim: Uprising Echo Score Breakdown

Pacific Rim: Uprising offers energetic action but struggles with narrative cohesion and character depth. Across reviews, the film’s large-scale mecha battles earn praise for their visual impact, yet many observers note the sequel’s reliance on recycled sequences and uneven pacing. Critiques frequently highlight underdeveloped protagonists and a script that defers payoff too long. Despite competent technical presentation, the film’s derivative storytelling and lack of emotional engagement limit its broader appeal. Overall, it leaves a middling impression as a sequel that seldom transcends its predecessor.

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 direction and visual design, the film delivers expansive CGI sequences that showcase large-scale mecha conflicts with creative staging. However, the production design often feels derivative and overscaled, while editing choices sacrifice clarity in action scenes. The color palette and framed compositions draw competence but lack the distinctive style of the original. Overall, the visual craft remains serviceable but fails to establish a unique artistic identity.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances generally lack depth, with many lead figures reduced to archetypes executing familiar beats. Observers note the cast’s efforts to infuse personality are undermined by a convoluted script and limited development of returning characters. Occasional moments of chemistry emerge, notably between secondary figures, but these are overshadowed by superficial characterization. Overall, the emotional resonance is muted and rarely sustains audience engagement.

  • Story & Flow 40

    In terms of plot coherence and pacing, the sequel adopts familiar elements from its predecessor but struggles to maintain narrative momentum. Reviews cite delayed engagement as action is postponed and highlight contrived developments that undermine the film’s internal logic. While a midfilm twist receives occasional praise, extended exposition and repetitive set pieces dilute overall tension. Overall, the story remains serviceable yet hampered by uneven pacing and a lack of originality.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film excels in showcasing high-energy sound design and a robust visual style during its mecha encounters. Reviews emphasize the effective use of CGI destruction and an immersive 3D presentation, even as the musical score is regarded as generic. Though some sound mixing choices feel conventional, the overall audiovisual execution sustains viewer interest. Overall, the film provides a compelling sensory showcase despite modest musical creativity.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    In terms of rewatch value, the film’s appeal hinges primarily on its action sequences, offering moments of spectacle for repeat viewing. Critics and users suggest that beyond the mecha battles, limited character arcs and predictable plot points reduce incentives for additional screenings. Some fans may revisit standout set pieces, but most viewings likely diminish the film’s impact as narrative and emotional threads offer few new insights. Overall, the rewatch factor remains constrained by a lack of substantive content.

Plot

Pacific Rim: Uprising Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Pacific Rim: Uprising 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

Ten years after the climactic Battle of the Breach, former Jaeger pilot Jake Pentecost, the son of the iconic Kaiju War hero Stacker Pentecost, finds himself navigating a treacherous life in the dark corners of Los Angeles. He survives by stealing and trading Jaeger parts on the black market, catering to those who dream of building their own Jaegers. The power cores, a rare and valuable commodity, are particularly sought after. Although most of the world has rebounded from the horrors of the Kaiju attacks, certain coastal cities still grapple with their aftermath.

Full summary

The whole story of Pacific Rim: Uprising, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Pacific Rim: Uprising Box Office & Budget

Pacific Rim: Uprising grossed $290.9 million worldwide on a $150 million budget, 1.9 times what it cost. $59.9 million came from the US and Canada and $231.1 million (79%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$290.9M

1.9× its budget

US & Canada
$59.9M
International
$231.1M
Budget
$150M
US & Canada 21% Rest of the world 79%
Awards

Pacific Rim: Uprising Awards & Nominations

Pacific Rim: Uprising earned 1 award nomination, including Legion M Breakout Director at the Saturn Awards 2019.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Pacific Rim: Uprising Trailers & Videos

6 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser, 2 clips and 1 featurette.

All 6 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer 2
  • Teaser
  • Clip Infected Drone Attack in 4K HDR
  • Clip Showdown In Sydney
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Pacific Rim: Uprising?

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

What is Jake Pentecost's relationship to Stacker Pentecost?

Cars

Cars in Pacific Rim: Uprising

18 cars on screen, including the 1997 Hyundai Starex and the 2016 Jaguar XJ X351.

All 18 cars
  • 1997 Hyundai Starex in Pacific Rim: Uprising 1997 Hyundai Starex Minor role
  • 2016 Jaguar XJ X351 in Pacific Rim: Uprising 2016 Jaguar XJ X351 Minor role
  • 1991 Land-Rover 110 in Pacific Rim: Uprising 1991 Land-Rover 110 Minor role
  • 2014 Maserati Ghibli in Pacific Rim: Uprising 2014 Maserati Ghibli Minor role
Details

Pacific Rim: Uprising Also Known As

46 alternative titles, including “Pacific Rim 2” and “Pacific Rim 2: Uprising”.

Also known as
  • Pacific Rim 2
  • Pacific Rim 2: Uprising
  • Titanes del Pacífico 2: La insurrección
  • Titanes del Pacífico: La insurrección
  • 环太平洋2
  • Pacific Rim: Povstanie
  • 2 Pacific Rim Uprising
  • Tűzgyűrű - Lázadás (2018)
  • 環太平洋2:起義時刻
  • 悍戰太平洋2:起義時空
  • 环太平洋2:雷霆再起
  • Siêu Đại Chiến Thái Bình Dương: Trỗi Dậy
+34 more
  • Pacific Rim Uprising
  • Pacific Rim: Insurrección
  • Pasifik Savaşı: İsyan
  • Pacific.Rim.Uprising
  • Batalha do Pacífico: A Revolta
  • Pacific Rim : Uprising
  • Pacific Rim - La rivolta
  • פסיפיק רים: המרד
  • Тихоокеанский рубеж 2
  • Тихоокеанський рубіж: Повстання
  • Círculo de Fogo: A Revolta
  • Tűzgyűrű: Lázadás
  • Огненият пръстен: Революция
  • Pacific Rim: Εξέγερση
  • Pacific Rim: Rebelia
  • 퍼시픽 림: 업라이징
  • Pacific Rim – Kapina
  • Ugnies žiedas: Sukilimas
  • Pacific Rim: Povstání
  • Bitka za Pacifik: Ustanak
  • パシフィック・リム アップライジング
  • Pacifikrando: popolleviĝo
  • 环太平洋:雷霆再起
  • Pacific Rim: Sacelšanās
  • Битка за Пацифик: Побуна
  • แปซิฟิค ริม ปฏิวัติพลิกโลก
  • Pacific Rim 2: Revolta
  • Pacific Rim: Trỗi Dậy
  • Rives du Pacifique : La révolte
  • 悍戰太平洋 2:起義時空
  • Ognjeni obroč: Vstaja
  • حافة المحيط الهادئ: انتفاضة, წყნარი ოკეანის ტიტანები: აღზევება
  • حاشیه اقیانوس آرام: طغیان
  • Pacific Rim: Insurrecció

Seen Pacific Rim: Uprising?

FAQ

Pacific Rim: Uprising FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

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

How long is Pacific Rim: Uprising?

Pacific Rim: Uprising runs 1 hour 51 minutes (111 minutes).

When was Pacific Rim: Uprising released?

Pacific Rim: Uprising was released on March 23, 2018.

Who directed Pacific Rim: Uprising?

Pacific Rim: Uprising was directed by Steven S. DeKnight.

Who is in the cast of Pacific Rim: Uprising?

Pacific Rim: Uprising stars John Boyega as Jake Pentecost, Cailee Spaeny as Amara Namani and Rinko Kikuchi as Mako Mori, among 17 credited actors.

How much did Pacific Rim: Uprising make at the box office?

Pacific Rim: Uprising grossed $290.9 million worldwide ($59.9 million domestic, $231.1 million international) on a budget of $150 million.

How is Pacific Rim: Uprising rated?

Pacific Rim: Uprising has 5.6/10 on IMDb, 42% on Rotten Tomatoes, 44 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Was Pacific Rim: Uprising nominated for any awards?

Pacific Rim: Uprising received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does Pacific Rim: Uprising have a post-credit scene?

No. Pacific Rim: Uprising has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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