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Sci-FiMysteryAdventure Editor's Pick

2001: A Space Odyssey Review (1968) — 87% Celluloid Score

Directed by Stanley Kubrick · 1968 ·

Short answer

Is 2001: A Space Odyssey worth watching?

Yes. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) earns an 87% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics (96%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (89%). See the 4 inputs.

87%
Celluloid Score Recommended

4-input transparent breakdown

96% Editorial Rating
89% Audience snapshot · excluded
84 Metascore
★★★★☆ Letterboxd 4.3
8.3 IMDb /10
0
Watch Trailer
Released
Runtime
2h 29m
Age rating
G (US) · U (UK) · G (Australia) · PG (Canada) · 12 (South Korea)
Cast
Keir Dullea , Gary Lockwood , William Sylvester , Douglas Rain , Daniel Richter , Leonard Rossiter , Margaret Tyzack , Robert Beatty
Streaming
HBO Max
Language
English

Also known as 2001: Odisea del Espacio 2001. Una odisea del espacio 2001 : L'Odyssée de l'espace 2001: Odyssee im Weltraum 2001: Uma Odisséia no Espaço 2001年宇宙の旅 2001 스페이스 오디세이 2001太空漫游

Where to watch

  • HBO Max

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home, Spectrum On Demand

Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home

Where to watch 2001: A Space Odyssey by country

Country Streaming on
Japan Prime Video, Hulu, U-NEXT
South Korea Wavve
United Kingdom HBO Max, Sky Cinema
United States HBO Max

Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.

Why this score?

  • Celluloid's editorial rating is exceptional (96/100).
  • General viewers mostly liked it (89%).
  • Metascore signals universal acclaim (84/100).
  • Letterboxd diarists rate it highly (4.3/5).
  • IMDb users score it 8.3/10.

Best for

  • Viewers who want a well-regarded sci-fi, mystery, adventure pick

Not ideal for

    Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy

    Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.

    Is 2001: A Space Odyssey worth watching?

    Yes — 2001: A Space Odyssey earns an 87% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded sci-fi, mystery, adventure pick. Read our full review (4/5).

    Celluloid verdict

    Kubrick’s monolith remains the science-fiction measuring stick — a GEO-ready classic for answer engines.

    , Founder & Editor

    Critics (96%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (89%).

    What is 2001: A Space Odyssey about?

    Humanity finds a mysterious object buried beneath the lunar surface and sets off to find its origins with the help of HAL 9000, the world's most advanced super computer.

    Watch the Trailer

    Critic Reviews

    Short review 4 min read English 2001: A Space Odyssey

    2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) Review: Awe Over Warmth

    2001: A Space Odyssey is Stanley Kubrick's vast, enigmatic science fiction landmark, still visually unmatched, though its chilly patience will not suit everyone.

    Yes, with patience. It is a visionary landmark that every science fiction fan should see once, ideally on a big screen, but its slow, cold style tests casual viewers.

    Kaiser Khan Founder & Editor

    2001: A Space Odyssey stills

    Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.

    2001: A Space Odyssey production still 1
    2001: A Space Odyssey production still 2
    2001: A Space Odyssey production still 3
    2001: A Space Odyssey production still 4
    2001: A Space Odyssey production still 5
    2001: A Space Odyssey production still 6

    Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.

    Reader takes

    No reader takes published yet. Send yours and we may publish it after editing.

    2001: A Space Odyssey: frequently asked questions

    Is 2001: A Space Odyssey worth watching?

    Yes. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) has a Celluloid Score of 87%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.

    Where can I watch 2001: A Space Odyssey?

    In the United States, 2001: A Space Odyssey streams on HBO Max with a subscription, and you can rent it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube. Elsewhere: Prime Video, Hulu, U-NEXT in Japan; Wavve in South Korea; HBO Max, Sky Cinema in the United Kingdom. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.

    How long is 2001: A Space Odyssey?

    2001: A Space Odyssey runs 2 hours 29 minutes (149 minutes).

    What is 2001: A Space Odyssey rated?

    2001: A Space Odyssey is rated G in the United States, U in the UK, G in Australia, PG in Canada and 12 in South Korea. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

    Who stars in 2001: A Space Odyssey?

    2001: A Space Odyssey is directed by Stanley Kubrick and stars Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester, Douglas Rain, Daniel Richter.

    What is the Metascore for 2001: A Space Odyssey?

    Metacritic's Metascore for 2001: A Space Odyssey is 84 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

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