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This Is the End

This Is the End is a 2013 American apocalyptic comedy horror film written, directed, and produced by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg in their directorial debuts.

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

This Is the End is a 2013 American apocalyptic comedy horror film written, directed, and produced by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg in their directorial debuts. The film features fictionalized versions of several celebrities, including James Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, and Jay Baruchel, as they confront a biblical apocalypse in Los Angeles. It was released in the United States by Sony Pictures Releasing through Columbia Pictures and adapted from the 2007 short film Jay and Seth Versus the Apocalypse.

Premise

The film depicts a group of celebrities trapped together as catastrophic events and a biblical apocalypse unfold in Los Angeles. Much of the humour comes from the actors playing exaggerated versions of themselves.

Production

This Is the End was written, directed, and produced by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, marking their first feature film as directors. It expands on their earlier short film Jay and Seth Versus the Apocalypse.

Release and reception

The film premiered on June 3, 2013, and opened theatrically in the United States on June 12, 2013. It drew generally positive critical reviews and earned about $127 million worldwide against a reported budget of $32–41.9 million.

Cast and style

The ensemble cast includes several prominent comedians and actors, with the film blending apocalyptic, horror, and comedy elements. Its style is built around celebrity self-parody and ensemble chemistry.

Key facts

  • The film was released in the United States by Sony Pictures Releasing through Columbia Pictures.
  • It was adapted from the 2007 short film Jay and Seth Versus the Apocalypse.
  • Rogen and Goldberg made their feature directorial debuts with the film.
  • The cast includes James Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson, Michael Cera, and Emma Watson.
  • The film received generally positive reviews and was a commercial success.
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Canadian context

The film had wide theatrical distribution in North America, including Canada, and has been available on major Canadian home-entertainment and streaming services. Its cast and producers also include figures well known to Canadian audiences, such as Seth Rogen.

Frequently asked questions

What is This Is the End about?
It follows a group of celebrities trapped in Los Angeles during a biblical apocalypse, with the cast playing fictionalized versions of themselves.
Who directed This Is the End?
Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg directed the film.
When was This Is the End released?
It was released in the United States on June 12, 2013.
What genre is This Is the End?
It is generally described as an apocalyptic comedy horror film.
Was This Is the End based on something earlier?
Yes. It is a feature-length adaptation of the 2007 short film Jay and Seth Versus the Apocalypse.
Was the film commercially successful?
Yes. It grossed about $127 million worldwide, which was well above its reported budget.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Is_the_End
    Supports: Release date, genre, premise, cast, production companies, adaptation from Jay and Seth Versus the Apocalypse, worldwide box office, and Rogen/Goldberg directorial debuts.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/this_is_the_end?search=this+is+the
    Supports: Synopsis, director, producer, screenwriter, distributor, production companies, runtime, rating, and box office.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1245492/
    Supports: Basic plot description, release year, runtime, and cast.
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/This-Is-the-End
    Supports: Identification of the film as a 2013 film by Rogen and Goldberg.