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Signs (film)

Signs is a 2002 American science fiction horror thriller film written and directed by M.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Signs is a 2002 American science fiction horror thriller film written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. It stars Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix as members of a Pennsylvania farm family that encounters mysterious crop circles linked to extraterrestrial activity. The film explores themes of faith, family, and crisis under threat.

Plot

The film centres on Graham Hess, a former priest living on a Pennsylvania farm with his children and brother. After crop circles appear in his fields and similar events are reported around the world, the family confronts signs of an alien presence.

Production

Signs was written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan and produced by Shyamalan, Frank Marshall, Kathleen Kennedy, and Sam Mercer. The film was made by Touchstone Pictures, Blinding Edge Pictures, and The Kennedy/Marshall Company.

Release and reception

The film premiered in theatres on August 2, 2002. It received generally positive reviews, with praise for its atmosphere, performances, cinematography, score, and story, while some critics objected to elements of the script.

Themes

Signs is often discussed as a film about faith, family, and responses to fear and uncertainty. Its narrative uses the alien invasion premise to explore questions of belief and meaning.

Key facts

  • Signs was written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan and released in 2002.
  • The story follows former Episcopal priest Graham Hess and his family after crop circles appear on their farm.
  • The film links the crop-circle mystery to extraterrestrial life.
  • It stars Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Rory Culkin, Abigail Breslin, and Cherry Jones.
  • It was a commercial success, grossing about $408 million worldwide on a $72 million budget.
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Canadian context

Signs was released in Canada as an English-language Hollywood film and is also documented in Canadian and French-language reference sources, including coverage of its Quebec release.

Frequently asked questions

What is Signs about?
It follows a former priest and his family after mysterious crop circles appear on their farm, leading them to confront signs of extraterrestrial activity.
Who directed Signs?
M. Night Shyamalan directed and wrote the film.
Who stars in Signs?
The cast includes Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Rory Culkin, Abigail Breslin, and Cherry Jones.
When was Signs released?
It premiered in theatres on August 2, 2002.
Was Signs a box-office success?
Yes. It grossed about $408 million worldwide against a $72 million budget.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signs_(film)
    Supports: Release year, director, cast, plot premise, production companies, and box office gross.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/signs
    Supports: Genre, release date, runtime, director, producers, screenwriter, and synopsis.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0286106/
    Supports: Director, cast, music, cinematography, and film credits.
  4. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/signs
    Supports: Release date, director, studio, runtime, rating, and basic plot.
  5. TV Guide — https://www.tvguide.com/movies/signs/2030047206/
    Supports: Runtime, genres, rating, and synopsis.
  6. French Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signes_(film)
    Supports: French-language reference for title, production country, cast, runtime, genre, and Quebec/Canada release context.