The Arrival

Name: The Arrival
Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller, Mystery
Released: 1996-05-31
Duration: 1 h 55 min
Rating: 6
Cast: Charlie Sheen, Lindsay Crouse, Richard Schiff, Ron Silver, Teri Polo

1996·Movie·PG-13·115 min·★ 6.0(889)

Science Fiction Thriller Mystery More English titles

“The greatest danger facing our world has been the planet's best kept secret... until now.”

Zane Ziminski is an astrophysicist who receives a message that seems to have extraterrestrial origins. Eerily soon after his discovery, Zane is fired. He then embarks on a search to determine the origins of the transmission that leads him into a Hitchcockian labyrinth of paranoia and intrigue.

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Where to watch The Arrival in United States

Can I watch The Arrival in United States? Yes — you can stream The Arrival in United States on MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel, and Hoopla, or rent and buy it on Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies.

Click a service to open The Arrival there. Availability last verified on October 20, 2026.

Where is The Arrival streaming around the world?

Country	Streaming on	Rent / Buy
United States	MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel, Hoopla, Fawesome	Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
India	Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel	Apple TV Store, YouTube
United Kingdom	Rakuten TV	Apple TV Store, Rakuten TV, Sky Store
Canada	Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Hoopla, Crave, YouTube	Apple TV Store, CosmoGo, YouTube
Australia	Plex	Apple TV Store, YouTube
Germany	Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Joyn, Rakuten TV, Pluto TV	Apple TV Store, maxdome Store, Rakuten TV
France	Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Rakuten TV, Plex, Plex Channel	Apple TV Store, Rakuten TV, Canal VOD
Spain	Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Rakuten TV, Plex	Apple TV Store, Rakuten TV
Brazil	—	Apple TV Store
Japan	—	Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, FOD

About The Arrival

The Arrival is a 1996 English-language science fiction, thriller and mystery film directed by David Twohy. The cast is led by Charlie Sheen, Lindsay Crouse, Richard Schiff. It has a runtime of 1h 55m. Viewers rate it 6.0/10 across 900 ratings. In United States, it is currently streaming on MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel, Hoopla.

The Arrival was produced by Live Entertainment, Steelwork Films, and Mediaworks and made in Mexico and United States of America. It was released on May 31, 1996, and carries a PG-13 certification. Made on a budget of about $25 million, it went on to gross $14 million worldwide.

Director: David Twohy
Writers: David Twohy
Release date: May 31, 1996
Original language: English
Age rating: PG-13
Status: Released
Country: Mexico, United States of America
Budget: $25 million
Box office: $14 million
Production: Live Entertainment, Steelwork Films, Mediaworks

#greenhouse effect#global warming#alien#extraterrestrial#astronomer#conspiracy#scientist#alien invasion#foot chase#desert#climatologist#observatory#alien language#golf club

The Arrival cast & crew

The Arrival was directed by David Twohy and written by David Twohy.

The cast features Charlie Sheen as Zane Zaminski, Lindsay Crouse as Ilana Green, Richard Schiff as Calvin, Ron Silver as Gordian, Teri Polo as Char, and Phyllis Applegate as Mrs. Roosevelt.

Behind the camera, the score was composed by Arthur Kempel, cinematography is by Hiro Narita, and it was produced by Jim Steele and Thomas G. Smith.

Is The Arrival worth watching?

The Arrival holds an audience score of 6.0/10 from 889 ratings, a solidly received science fiction films.

At 1h 55m, it's a standard feature-length watch.

If you enjoy science fiction, thriller, and mystery, The Arrival is worth a place on your watchlist.

How and where to watch The Arrival

In United States, you can stream The Arrival on MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel, Hoopla, Fawesome, and Philo, or rent and buy it on Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Click any service above to open it directly.

Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.