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The 5th Wave (film)

The 5th Wave is a 2016 American science fiction action film directed by J Blakeson.

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

The 5th Wave is a 2016 American science fiction action film directed by J Blakeson, based on Rick Yancey's 2013 novel. It stars Chloë Grace Moretz as a teenager trying to survive an alien invasion and find her younger brother. The film was widely distributed internationally, including in Canada, through major streaming and home-entertainment platforms.

Plot

The film centers on Cassie Sullivan, a teenager navigating a world devastated by alien attacks known as the “waves.” After being separated from her family, she attempts to rescue her brother while facing danger from both aliens and other survivors.

Production

The movie was directed by J Blakeson and written by Susannah Grant, Akiva Goldsman, and Jeff Pinkner. It adapts Rick Yancey’s 2013 novel for the screen.

Release

The 5th Wave was released in the United States on January 22, 2016. It was distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing.

Reception

Reviews summarized the film as a sci-fi invasion story built around large-scale destruction, survival, and distrust, with the plot structured around multiple successive alien attacks.

Key facts

  • The film is adapted from Rick Yancey’s young-adult novel of the same name.
  • It follows Cassie Sullivan as she searches for her younger brother after successive alien attacks devastate Earth.
  • The story describes a series of invasion waves, including an electromagnetic pulse, tsunamis, disease, and human infiltration.
  • J Blakeson directed the film from a screenplay by Susannah Grant, Akiva Goldsman, and Jeff Pinkner.
  • The film’s cast includes Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson, Ron Livingston, Maggie Siff, Alex Roe, Maria Bello, Maika Monroe, and Liev Schreiber.
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Canadian context

The film was widely distributed internationally and is available through major streaming and home-entertainment platforms used by Canadian audiences, making it relevant to Canadian viewers as a mainstream Hollywood science-fiction release.[6][7]

Frequently asked questions

What is The 5th Wave about?
It follows Cassie Sullivan after alien attacks devastate Earth, as she tries to reunite with her younger brother and survive the invasion.
Who directed The 5th Wave?
J Blakeson directed the film.
What is The 5th Wave based on?
It is based on Rick Yancey’s 2013 novel The 5th Wave.
When was The 5th Wave released?
It was released in the United States on January 22, 2016.
Who stars in The 5th Wave?
The cast includes Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson, Ron Livingston, Maggie Siff, Alex Roe, Maria Bello, Maika Monroe, and Liev Schreiber.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_5th_Wave_(film)
    Supports: Basic film identification, release date, director, screenplay, cast, and source novel
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_fifth_wave
    Supports: Synopsis and genre details
  3. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-5th-wave-2016
    Supports: Plot description of the waves and survival premise
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2304933/
    Supports: United States release date
  5. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/the-5th-wave
    Supports: Runtime, MPAA rating, and plot description
  6. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/80067831
    Supports: Availability and concise premise used for Canada angle
  7. Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/za/movie/the-5th-wave/umc.cmc.43sdyfzxopc0hp6vdmhzl8bw0
    Supports: Runtime and synopsis used for Canada angle