Poseidon
Poseidon Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 11, 2026
Movie Overview: Poseidon
| Movie | Poseidon |
| Release Year | 2006 |
| Director | Wolfgang Petersen |
| Genre | Adventure / Action / Drama / Thriller |
| Runtime | 98 minutes |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Poseidon (2006) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.9/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Adventure.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in Poseidon are led by Josh Lucas . The supporting cast, including Kurt Russell and Jacinda Barrett , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While Poseidon does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Adventure films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, Poseidon has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Adventure fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: Poseidon
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2006, Poseidon is a Adventure, Action, Drama, Thriller film directed by Wolfgang Petersen. The narrative presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Josh Lucas.
Story Breakdown
The title presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. A packed cruise ship traveling the Atlantic is hit and overturned by a massive wave, compelling the passengers to begin a dramatic fight for their lives. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The title establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Ending Explained: Poseidon
Poseidon Ending Explained: Directed by Wolfgang Petersen, Poseidon attempts to bring together the film’s narrative threads. The ending highlights the core adventure themes developed throughout the film.
The final twist encourages viewers to reconsider earlier moments in the story, particularly in scenes involving Josh Lucas. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The story resolves its primary conflict while leaving room for interpretation.
- Character Development: Character motivations become clearer by the final scenes.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the adventure themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of Poseidon reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Who Should Watch Poseidon?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Adventure films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: Poseidon
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $160.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $181.7M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Poseidon Budget
The estimated production budget for Poseidon is $160.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Poseidon
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Where to Watch Poseidon Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
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YouTubePoseidon Parents Guide & Age Rating
2006 AdvisoryWondering about Poseidon age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Poseidon is 98 minutes (1h 38m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.9/10, and global performance metrics, Poseidon is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2006 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Poseidon worth watching?
Poseidon is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Adventure movies. It has a verified rating of 5.9/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Poseidon parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Poseidon identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Poseidon?
The total duration of Poseidon is 98 minutes, which is approximately 1h 38m long.
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How Poseidon Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Poseidon
I wouldn't put a lot of faith on what the captain says. I'm an architect, and these boats weren't designed to float upside down. After playing water games with "The Perfect Storm" six years previously, director Wolfgang Petersen returns to the water to reimage 1972's "The Poseidon Adventure" (novel by Paul Gallico). Story essentially finds a cruise liner capsized by chaotic weather and survivors try to make their way out of an upside world before the boat either sinks or the inrushing water drowns them. The original is one of the highlights of the disaster genre that burst forth in the 1970s, so it really didn't need remaking, but Hollywood insists on remaking old films for cash cow purpose. As it is, this is hardly a terrible movie, it lacks character development, the plot is stripped bare without any additional depth, and ultimately it's the CGI effects (that do work handsomely enough and were Oscar Nominated) that carries the picture to just above average status. Hardly a must see disaster film but enough excitement and suspense to make it a dent time waster for fans of the genre. 6/10
Decided to give this one another shot, last time was probably when it came out on DVD. Didn't think much of it then and while it's nothing great and the CGI was spotty at times, I still thought it was fairly entertaining if not just another throwaway movie with not much of a lasting effect. On the one hand I can appreciate they didn't bother much with character development and giving us backstories that nobody gives two shits about, but on the other when a few eventually get killed, you really don't care either. Even so, albeit a pointless adaptation (why not just watch the 1972 classic?), it's still fine. **3.0/5**
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.












