Sphere (1998): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
Sphere is a 1998 sci-fi thriller directed by Barry Levinson, starring Samuel L. Jackson, Peter Coyote and Dustin Hoffman. It is based on Sphere by Michael Crichton. It runs 2 hours 14 minutes and earned $37 million worldwide on a $80 million budget. Critics gave it 35 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10. Stream it on Kanopy and Plex, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 14m (134 min)
- Director
- Barry Levinson
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Warner Bros. Pictures
- Budget
- $80M
- Based on
- Sphere by Michael Crichton
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Sphere About?
The premise of Sphere without spoilers, adapted from Sphere by Michael Crichton. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A secret government agency discovers an alien spacecraft on the Pacific Ocean floor, prompting the involvement of renowned psychologist Norman Goodman. As his theoretical recommendations for handling extraterrestrial life forces are put into action, Norman assembles a team to investigate the mysteries within the spacecraft. They soon confront the reality of the unknown and the potential dangers it presents, embarking on a thrilling and suspenseful exploration of the alien technology and its implications.
Sphere Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- ocean
- bottom of the ocean
- hallucination
- underwater installation
- underwater scene
- philosophy
- spacecraft
- determinism
- underwater
- manifestation
- mathematician
- imagination
+38 more Show fewer
- helium
- underwater base
- biologist
- marine biologist
- psychologist
- decompression chamber
- chapterwise storytelling
- time travel
- fire
- babe scientist
- time bomb
- greatest fear
- navy
- 1990s
- sea
- alien language
- water
- u.s. navy
- psychological thriller
- ufo unidentified flying object
- sphere
- spaceship
- scientist
- diver
- coral
- secret
- black hole
- aquanaut
- golden sphere
- 1980s
- computer cracker
- explosive
- cyclone
- flood
- burn victim
- burned to death
- skeleton
- laboratory
Where to Watch Sphere
Stream it on Kanopy and Plex, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Kanopy 
Plex 
Plex Channel 
The Roku Channel 
Tubi TV 
Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
Sphere Cast
Samuel L. Jackson leads the cast, with Peter Coyote and Dustin Hoffman. Directed by Barry Levinson; 4 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Barry Levinson
Sphere Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Sphere 35 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.
-
IMDb 6.1 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 35 Metascore
User score 6.5
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 61% User score
See on TMDB
Sphere Plot Summary
What happens in Sphere from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the depths of the Southern Pacific Ocean, an astonishing discovery lies a thousand feet below the surface—a supposed alien spacecraft. This phenomenon comes to light after a transoceanic cable laying ship mysteriously loses its cable, prompting an investigation by the United States Navy. The extensive coral growth enveloping the spacecraft suggests it has remained undisturbed for nearly 300 years.
A specialized team is assembled to explore this marvel, including marine biologist Dr. Beth Halperin, mathematician Dr. Harry Adams, astrophysicist Dr. Ted Fielding, psychologist Dr. Norman Goodman, and U.S. Navy Capt. Harold Barnes. They are housed in a cutting-edge underwater facility known as the Habitat during their perilous descent to the ocean floor.
Full summary
The whole story of Sphere, scene by scene
Sphere Box Office & Budget
Sphere grossed $37 million worldwide on a $80 million budget, 46% of what it cost.
Worldwide gross
$37M
46% of its budget back
- US & Canada
- $37M
- Budget
- $80M
Sphere Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.
- Clip Sphere (2/10) Movie CLIP - A Perfect Sphere (1998) HD
How Well Do You Know Sphere?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the primary mission of the team in the movie 'Sphere'?
Sphere Also Known As
25 alternative titles, including “Sfera - Il terrore può essere ovunque” and “Esfera”.
- Also known as
-
- Sfera - Il terrore può essere ovunque
- Esfera
- Kula
- Сфера
- Sphere - Die Macht aus dem All
- Sfera
- Sphère
- Sphere: Rymdfarkosten
- Vieras tulevaisuudesta
- Küre
- A gömb
- A Esfera
+13 more Show fewer
- 深海圆疑
- Η Σφαίρα
- Koule
- Kuglen
- ספרה
- 스피어
- Guľa
- มหาภัยสะกดโลก
- 地動天驚
- الكرة
- スフィア
- Tinh Cầu, სფერო
- Sphere - fartøyet
Seen Sphere?
Movies Like Sphere
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Cosmic Man, Beyond and Underwater.
Sphere FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and the book behind it of Sphere, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Sphere?
Sphere runs 2 hours 14 minutes (134 minutes).
When was Sphere released?
Sphere was released on February 13, 1998.
Who directed Sphere?
Sphere was directed by Barry Levinson.
More films by Barry Levinson Who is in the cast of Sphere?
Sphere stars Samuel L. Jackson, Peter Coyote and Dustin Hoffman, among 4 credited actors.
Where can I watch Sphere?
In the US, Sphere is streaming on Kanopy, Plex and The Roku Channel and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did Sphere make at the box office?
Sphere grossed $37 million worldwide on a budget of $80 million.
How is Sphere rated?
Sphere has 6.1/10 on IMDb, 35 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.
Is Sphere based on a book?
Yes. Sphere is adapted from Sphere by Michael Crichton.
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