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Comedy horror film

Y2K (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Y2K (2024) movie poster

Y2K is a 2024 comedy horror film starring Jaeden Martell as Eli, Julian Dennison and Rachel Zegler. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes and earned $4.5 million worldwide on a $15 million budget. Critics gave it 49 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.7/10.

IMDb rating
4.7/10
worldwide gross
$4.5M
Echo Score
42
Metascore
49
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Y2K (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 33m (93 min)
Genres
Comedy , Horror , Sci-Fi
Original language
English
Studio
A24
Budget
$15M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Y2K About?

The premise of Y2K without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Two high school students plan to disrupt the last big party before the year 1999 turns into 2000. Their intentions are soon overshadowed when the night of celebration becomes unexpectedly chaotic after midnight.

Y2K Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • y2k
  • year 1999
  • year 2000
  • teenager
  • new year's eve
  • american teenagers
  • coming of age film
  • end of the 20th century
  • turn of the century
  • new millennium
  • new years eve party
  • 20th century
+38 more
  • end of the year
  • internet
  • teen horror
  • still images during end credits
  • reference to y2k bug
  • two planes crash into each other
  • title spoken in dialogue
  • scene during end credits
  • five years later
  • year 2005
  • school
  • disaster
  • aol
  • computer
  • america online
  • evil
  • fireworks
  • singing girl
  • singing
  • artificial intelligence sci fi
  • teen comedy
  • female nudity
  • massacred teenagers
  • unused condom
  • technological singularity
  • computer hacker
  • computer takes over
  • blood drenched massacre
  • end of humanity
  • computer tries to take over the world
  • reference to limp bizkit
  • recreational marijuana
  • video store clerk
  • vhs store
  • computer apocalypse
  • digital revolution
  • trojan computer virus
  • early internet
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Cast & crew

Y2K Cast & Characters

Jaeden Martell leads the cast as Eli, with Julian Dennison as Danny and Rachel Zegler as Laura.

Ratings

Y2K Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Y2K 49 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 42/100, strongest in sensory experience (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).

42 /100

Y2K Echo Score Breakdown

Y2K struggles with uneven execution and a disjointed narrative, despite occasional nostalgic charm. Critics and audiences note that its attempt to fuse high-school comedy with tech-horror results in jarring tonal shifts and a thinly sketched plot. Performances deliver sporadic laughs but generally lack depth, and the retro production design cannot sustain engagement. Ultimately, Y2K falls short of lasting appeal, leaving a fragmented viewing experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 45

    In terms of direction and cinematography, Y2K presents a functional retro look but lacks visual distinction. The framing and editing evoke ’90s aesthetics with scattered moments of inventive camera work, yet many scenes feel flat and uninspired. Production design captures period details accurately but does little to elevate the material. Overall, the film’s art and craft show competence in nostalgia yet fall short of memorable stylistic flair.

  • Character & Emotion 50

    In terms of character and emotional resonance, the film offers uneven performances. Lead actors deliver sporadic charm, and chemistry occasionally sparks among the teens, but character depth remains limited. Supporting roles suffer from thin development, and emotional stakes fail to cohere. Overall, the portrayal of relationships and inner motivations lacks sufficient nuance for strong audience investment.

  • Story & Flow 30

    When it comes to plot coherence and engagement, Y2K falters across its runtime. The narrative oscillates between teen comedy and tech-horror without fully committing to either, resulting in jarring tonal shifts and underdeveloped set pieces. Pacing drags notably in the third act, and originality feels overshadowed by homage. Overall, the story suffers from structural weaknesses that undermine viewer investment.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    In terms of sensory experience, Y2K excels in its nostalgic soundtrack and occasional visual flair. The score evokes late-’90s pop culture, and practical effects lend playful gore that aligns with the film’s throwback ambitions. However, sound design and some low-budget visual effects reveal inconsistencies. Overall, the sensory elements provide intermittent entertainment but lack sustained cohesion.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    When considering rewatch value, Y2K offers limited appeal for repeated viewings. While certain sequences and nostalgic references may elicit laughs on a first pass, the film’s uneven tone and shallow narrative undermine long-term appreciation. Occasional gore and soundtrack highlights may prompt brief enjoyment, but few elements endure beyond initial novelty. Overall, replay value remains low.

Plot

Y2K Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Y2K 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

*On the night of New Year’s Eve in 1999, a teenager named Eli (Jaeden Martell) finds himself engaged in an AIM chat with his closest friend, Danny (Julian Dennison), while simultaneously flirting with his crush, Laura (Rachel Zegler). Laura’s unique ability catches Eli’s attention as she shares how she hacked into their school’s computer system, creating an amusing little video that offers a moment of levity. This year, Eli and Danny intend to once again spend their New Year’s Eve in isolation, embracing their identities as social outcasts unwilling to mingle with others. Their first stop is the local video store, a hangout where they share time with the laid-back manager, Garrett (Kyle Mooney), a stoner with a penchant for wild conspiracy theories.

Full summary

The whole story of Y2K, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Y2K Box Office & Budget

Y2K grossed $4.5 million worldwide on a $15 million budget, 30% of what it cost. $4.4 million came from the US and Canada and $34,877 (1%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$4.5M

30% of its budget back

US & Canada
$4.4M
International
$34.9K
Budget
$15M
US & Canada 99% Rest of the world 1%
Videos

Y2K Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 clip.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer 2
  • Clip The chances of getting absolutely humbled by a kid are low, but they're never zero.
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Y2K?

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 platform do Eli and Danny use to communicate at the beginning of the movie?

Cars

Cars in Y2K

9 cars on screen, including the 1993 Toyota Corolla Wagon and the Mercedes-Benz SL R129.

All 9 cars
  • 1993 Toyota Corolla Wagon in Y2K 1993 Toyota Corolla Wagon Important role
  • Mercedes-Benz SL R129 in Y2K Mercedes-Benz SL R129 Minor role
  • 1986 Buick Skylark in Y2K 1986 Buick Skylark Background role
  • 1989 Cadillac Sedan DeVille in Y2K 1989 Cadillac Sedan DeVille Background role
Details

Y2K Also Known As

8 alternative titles, including “千禧年” and “千年虫”.

Also known as
  • 千禧年
  • 千年虫
  • L'an 2000
  • Миллениум
  • Y2K: La rivolta digitale
  • Y2K: O Bug do Milênio
  • วายทูเค
  • Yıl 2000

Seen Y2K?

FAQ

Y2K FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Y2K, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Y2K?

Y2K runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).

When was Y2K released?

Y2K was released on December 6, 2024.

Who is in the cast of Y2K?

Y2K stars Jaeden Martell as Eli, Julian Dennison as Danny and Rachel Zegler as Laura, among 13 credited actors.

How much did Y2K make at the box office?

Y2K grossed $4.5 million worldwide ($4.4 million domestic, $34,877 international) on a budget of $15 million.

How is Y2K rated?

Y2K has 4.7/10 on IMDb and 49 on Metacritic.

Does Y2K have a post-credit scene?

No. Y2K has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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