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Sci-fi thriller

The Manhattan Project (1986): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Manhattan Project (1986) movie poster

The Manhattan Project is a 1986 sci-fi thriller directed by Marshall Brickman, starring John Lithgow, Cynthia Nixon and Jill Eikenberry. It runs 1 hour 57 minutes and earned $3.9 million worldwide. Critics gave it 61 on Metacritic.

worldwide gross
$3.9M
Metascore
61
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The Manhattan Project (1986) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 57m (117 min)
Genres
Sci-Fi , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Manhattan Project About?

The premise of The Manhattan Project without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A brilliant but troubled man, facing a difficult truth about his health, struggles with the consequences of his choices and their impact on his loved ones. He must confront the devastating effects his decisions have on his innocent son and the lives of those closest to him, leaving a lasting impact on everyone involved.

The Manhattan Project Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • ithaca new york
  • teenage boy
  • reporter
  • military
  • whistleblower
  • plutonium
  • atomic bomb
  • scientist
  • nuclear weapon
  • science project
  • laboratory
  • science fair
+38 more
  • time bomb
  • clover
  • single mother
  • mother son relationship
  • new york city
  • theft
  • three word title
  • suspense
  • 1980s
  • cold war
  • science
  • kiss
  • nuclear physics
  • nuclear power
  • atom bomb
  • product placement
  • pickup truck
  • nuclear bomb
  • bomb
  • nuclear threat
  • engineer
  • nuclear engineer
  • physicist
  • nuclear physicist
  • sports car
  • professor
  • realtor
  • single parent
  • hypodermic needle
  • injection
  • bus
  • taxi
  • teenage girl
  • teen movie
  • teenage love
  • child prodigy
  • child genius
  • reference to galileo
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Cast & crew

The Manhattan Project Cast

John Lithgow leads the cast, with Cynthia Nixon and Jill Eikenberry. Directed by Marshall Brickman; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Marshall Brickman

More films directed by Marshall Brickman: Sister Mary Explains It All, Lovesick and Simon.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Manhattan Project Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Manhattan Project 61 on Metacritic.

Plot

The Manhattan Project Plot Summary

What happens in The Manhattan Project 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 quiet town of Ithaca, located in upstate New York, Dr. John Mathewson finds himself at the center of a significant discovery when he stumbles upon a revolutionary method for refining plutonium with unparalleled purity. Seizing this rare opportunity, the United States government adopts a guise as a medical corporation, providing him with an advanced laboratory. As John acclimates to his new environment, he unexpectedly meets Elizabeth Stephens, a real estate agent, while on the hunt for an ideal apartment. What starts as an innocent attempt to charm her takes an unforeseen twist when he invites her teenage son, Paul, for a tour of the lab, hoping to leave a positive impression.

Full summary

The whole story of The Manhattan Project, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Manhattan Project Box Office

The Manhattan Project grossed $3.9 million worldwide.

1986 box office

Worldwide gross

$3.9M

US & Canada
$3.9M
Videos

The Manhattan Project Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

The Manhattan Project Official Trailer #1 - John Lithgow Movie (1986) HD
  • Trailer The Manhattan Project (1986) Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Manhattan Project?

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 groundbreaking process does Dr. John Mathewson stumble upon?

Cars

Cars in The Manhattan Project

34 cars on screen, including the 1984 Ford Escort and the 1970 Ford F-100.

All 34 cars
  • 1984 Ford Escort in The Manhattan Project 1984 Ford Escort Important role
  • 1970 Ford F-100 in The Manhattan Project 1970 Ford F-100 Important role
  • 1982 Honda NU 50 Urban Express in The Manhattan Project 1982 Honda NU 50 Urban Express Important role
  • 1967 Mercedes-Benz 300 SE Coupé W112 in The Manhattan Project 1967 Mercedes-Benz 300 SE Coupé W112 Important role

Seen The Manhattan Project?

FAQ

The Manhattan Project FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is The Manhattan Project?

The Manhattan Project runs 1 hour 57 minutes (117 minutes).

When was The Manhattan Project released?

The Manhattan Project was released on June 13, 1986.

Who directed The Manhattan Project?

The Manhattan Project was directed by Marshall Brickman.

More films by Marshall Brickman

Who is in the cast of The Manhattan Project?

The Manhattan Project stars John Lithgow, Cynthia Nixon and Jill Eikenberry, among 10 credited actors.

How much did The Manhattan Project make at the box office?

The Manhattan Project grossed $3.9 million worldwide.

How is The Manhattan Project rated?

The Manhattan Project has 61 on Metacritic and 63% on TMDB.

Does The Manhattan Project have a post-credit scene?

No. The Manhattan Project has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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