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Animated thriller

Ready Player One (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Ready Player One (2018) movie poster

Ready Player One is a 2018 animated thriller directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Mark Rylance as Anorak, Halliday, Tye Sheridan and Ben Mendelsohn. It is based on Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. It runs 2 hours 20 minutes and earned $607.9 million worldwide on a $175 million budget. It won 1 award from 10 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Critics gave it 71% on Rotten Tomatoes and 64 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10. Stream it on HBO Max, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
71%
worldwide gross
$607.9M
award won
1
Where to watch Watch the trailer
Ready Player One (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 20m (140 min)
Director
Steven Spielberg
Genres
Action , Adventure , Sci-Fi , Thriller
Original language
English
Studio
Warner Bros.
Budget
$175M
Based on
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Ready Player One About?

The premise of Ready Player One without spoilers, adapted from Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In 2045, with the world facing environmental collapse and societal decay, the OASIS, a sprawling virtual reality world, offers humanity an escape. Following the death of its eccentric creator, James Halliday, a complex contest is launched—a digital Easter egg hunt promising immense power and wealth to whoever solves it. Wade Watts, a young gamer known as Parzival, embarks on a perilous quest, navigating a vibrant and dangerous universe filled with iconic heroes, challenging puzzles, and formidable rivals in a race against time.

Ready Player One Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • virtual reality
  • player
  • screenplay adapted by author
  • based on novel
  • dystopia
  • reference to 1980s popular culture
  • reference to the shining
  • teenage protagonist
  • easter egg
  • dystopian future
  • year 2045
  • battle
+38 more
  • inside a movie
  • friendship
  • reality
  • pop culture
  • cyberpunk
  • surrealism
  • evil businessman
  • cyberpunk sci fi
  • dystopian sci fi
  • three word title
  • based on young adult novel
  • columbus ohio
  • voice over narration
  • racing
  • key
  • live action and animation
  • playing a video game
  • fight
  • male protagonist
  • drone
  • teamwork
  • love
  • villain
  • explosion
  • opening action scene
  • epic game
  • dance
  • dancing
  • laser gun
  • nerd
  • geek
  • ceo
  • prize money
  • based on book
  • pac man
  • reward
  • outcast
  • contest
Where to watch

Where to Watch Ready Player One

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

Stream 2

Rent or buy 7

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Ready Player One Cast & Characters

Mark Rylance leads the cast as Anorak, Halliday, with Tye Sheridan as Parzival, Wade and Ben Mendelsohn as Sorrento. Directed by Steven Spielberg; 19 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Ready Player One

· 15 more
Ratings

Ready Player One Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Ready Player One 71% on Rotten Tomatoes and 64 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 68/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in character & emotion (45).

68 /100

Ready Player One Echo Score Breakdown

Ready Player One excels in visual ingenuity but struggles to sustain emotional depth and narrative coherence. Its state-of-the-art animation and dynamic set pieces are frequently praised for creativity and spectacle, yet critics and viewers alike note a callow emotional charge and contrived conveniences that undermine dramatic stakes. While the nostalgic pop-culture references deliver consistent moments of fun and novelty, they sometimes overwhelm the core story and character arcs. In sum, the film offers an entertaining sensory experience that is hampered by superficial storytelling.

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

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of art and craft, the film demonstrates inventive direction and polished production design but often leans on surface-level spectacle. The motion-capture and animation sequences are skillfully assembled, yet their frenetic density can feel numbing. Overall, the craftsmanship is technically accomplished yet lacks a unifying artistic purpose beyond visual flair.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film offers competent performances but minimal depth. The leads navigate the adventure with clarity, yet emotional beats register as unearned and underdeveloped. Supporting roles serve more as pop-culture stand-ins than fully realized individuals. In the end, character engagement remains limited despite capable acting.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In terms of story and flow, the movie presents an engaging premise with clear stakes but relies heavily on contrivances. The pacing starts briskly through inventive world-building yet slows in the middle, diminishing momentum. Originality emerges in its concept of a VR scavenger hunt, but repetitive plot mechanics and predictable resolutions dilute sustained engagement. Overall, the narrative is entertaining yet lacks substantive depth.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film is a vivid showcase of state-of-the-art sound design and visual style. The soundtrack complements the fast-paced action, and CGI blends reality with VR seamlessly. At times the aural and visual stimuli are so dense they verge on overstimulation. Nonetheless, the sensory impact is reliably powerful and immersive.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    In terms of rewatch factor, the abundance of nostalgic Easter eggs and striking set pieces invite repeated viewings. Viewers may enjoy spotting references and reliving action sequences, but the lack of emotional resonance and narrative depth can lessen long-term appeal. Ultimately, the film offers moderate replay value driven by spectacle rather than story.

Plot

Ready Player One Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Ready Player One 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 the year 2045, much of Earth’s urban landscapes resemble sprawling slums, pushing the inhabitants to immerse themselves in the expansive virtual realm of the OASIS (Ontologically Anthropocentric Sensory Immersive Simulation). Within this digital universe, people can indulge in various activities encompassing work, education, and entertainment. The thrilling Anorak’s Quest, devised by the late creator James Halliday (played by Mark Rylance), captivates gamers. The first player to discover the hidden Easter egg, secured behind a gate requiring three keys within Anorak’s Quest, will not only claim ultimate ownership of the OASIS but also receive remarkable rewards. This challenge attracts numerous Gunters (egg hunters), all eager to seize the prize.

Full summary

The whole story of Ready Player One, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Ready Player One Box Office & Budget

Ready Player One grossed $607.9 million worldwide on a $175 million budget, 3.5 times what it cost. $137.7 million came from the US and Canada and $470.2 million (77%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$607.9M

3.5× its budget

US & Canada
$137.7M
International
$470.2M
Budget
$175M
US & Canada 23% Rest of the world 77%
Awards

Ready Player One Awards & Nominations

Ready Player One won 1 award from 10 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Its biggest night was the Saturn Awards 2019, with 1 win from 5 nominations.

1 win10 nominations5 ceremonies

  • Saturn Awards logo
    Saturn Awards 2019 1 win · 5 nominations
    • Won Best Science Fiction Film Release
    • Nominated Best Comic-to-Motion Picture Release
    • Nominated Best Film Director – Steven Spielberg
    • Nominated Best Film Music
    • Nominated Best Film Special / Visual Effects
  • Critics' Choice Awards logo
    Critics' Choice 2019 2 nominations
    • Nominated Best Action Movie
    • Nominated Best Visual Effects
  • Artios Awards logo
    Artios Awards 2019 1 nomination
    • Nominated The Zeitgeist Award
  • British Academy Film Awards logo
    BAFTA 2019 1 nomination
    • Nominated Best Special Visual Effects
Show all 5 ceremonies
Videos

Ready Player One Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 3 trailers.

Official Trailer 1
  • Trailer Come With Me
  • Trailer Official 4K Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Ready Player One?

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 year is the setting of Ready Player One?
Cars

Cars in Ready Player One

41 cars on screen, including the 1981 De Lorean DMC 12 and the Utilimaster Aeromaster.

All 41 cars
  • 1981 De Lorean DMC 12 in Ready Player One 1981 De Lorean DMC 12 Main role
  • Utilimaster Aeromaster in Ready Player One Utilimaster Aeromaster Main role
  • Custom Made Monster Truck in Ready Player One Custom Made Monster Truck Important role
  • unknown in Ready Player One unknown Important role
Details

Ready Player One Also Known As

34 alternative titles, including “Başlat” and “Igralec št. 1”.

Also known as
  • Başlat
  • Igralec št. 1
  • Jogador nº 1
  • Jogador nº1
  • 玩家一号
  • Ready Player One: Comienza el juego
  • Jogador Número 1
  • שחקן מספר אחד
  • 挑战者1号
  • 挑戰者1號
  • Ready.Player.One
  • Jogador N° 1
+22 more
  • Першому гравцю приготуватися
  • Первому игроку приготовиться
  • Играч първи, приготви се
  • Başlat: Ready Player One
  • Играч број 1
  • שחקן מספר אחת
  • 一級玩家
  • 레디 플레이어 원
  • Ready Player One - Jogador 1
  • Ready Player One: Hra začíná
  • 头号玩家
  • レディ・プレイヤー1
  • Spēle sākas
  • Ready Player One: Să înceapă jocul
  • بازیکن شماره یک آماده
  • Igrač broj 1
  • เรดดี้ เพลเยอร์ วัน สงครามเกมคนอัจฉริยะ
  • Oazė: Žaidimas prasideda
  • Đấu Trường Ảo
  • Valmistub esimene mängija
  • Ready Player One: Hra sa začína
  • Birinchi oʻyinchi tayyor, პირველი მოთამაშე მოემზადე

Seen Ready Player One?
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Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Matrix, Arcade and The Maze Runner.

From the blog

Articles About Ready Player One

4 articles about Ready Player One. The latest: “The Impact of Film Schools on the Movie Industry”.

Search the blog
FAQ

Ready Player One FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and the book behind it of Ready Player One, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Ready Player One?

Ready Player One runs 2 hours 20 minutes (140 minutes).

When was Ready Player One released?

Ready Player One was released on March 29, 2018.

Who directed Ready Player One?

Ready Player One was directed by Steven Spielberg.

More films by Steven Spielberg

Who is in the cast of Ready Player One?

Ready Player One stars Mark Rylance as Anorak, Halliday, Tye Sheridan as Parzival, Wade and Ben Mendelsohn as Sorrento, among 19 credited actors.

Where can I watch Ready Player One?

In the US, Ready Player One is streaming on HBO Max and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Ready Player One make at the box office?

Ready Player One grossed $607.9 million worldwide ($137.7 million domestic, $470.2 million international) on a budget of $175 million.

How is Ready Player One rated?

Ready Player One has 7.4/10 on IMDb, 71% on Rotten Tomatoes, 64 on Metacritic and 76% on TMDB.

Is Ready Player One based on a book?

Yes. Ready Player One is adapted from Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.

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