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Ant-Man

Ant-Man

Heroes don't get any bigger.

2015117 minPG-13Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films
Director
Peyton Reed
Starring
Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll

Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, master thief Scott Lang must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Doctor Hank Pym, protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Ant-Man?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Ant-Man streaming on Disney+ and STARZ and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Ant-Man?

Ant-Man earns 8 badges, led by Top 10% in Action and Crowd Pleaser.

  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Ant-Man worth watching?

Ant-Man's Midcredits score is the 86th percentile of all films, from 2.7M ratings across 6 sources. 78% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

86th percentile

Better received than 86% of films

93rd percentile among Action86th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)81st
Approval (how many liked it)88th

70 /100

81st percentile of all films

90th percentile among Action80th percentile among 2010s

Critics 64 · Audience 71

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A tight consensus around 7.3 — people broadly agree on this one.

78% liked it

88th percentile of all films

92nd percentile among Action89th percentile among 2010s
78% rated it 7–1022% rated it 1–6

Critics 83% · Audience 85%

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences approve at similar rates.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 3 wins / 35 noms overall

  • NominatedBAFTA Awards· Best Achievement in Special Visual Effects

79th percentile

2.7M ratings across platforms

67th percentile among Action81st percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 24% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$130M
Opening weekend$57M
Domestic gross$180M
Worldwide gross$519M

Returned 4.0× its budget — 97th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A lightweight, humorous heist-focused superhero film that prioritizes fun over depth.

Fans praised

  • Paul Rudd's charismatic, likable performance as Scott Lang
  • Creative and impressive CGI for shrinking/ant-size world
  • Light, funny tone with strong comedic chemistry among cast

Detractors panned

  • Generic, cliché-ridden script full of tired tropes
  • Weak, underdeveloped villain in Darren Cross / Yellowjacket
  • In-universe logic holes and physics inconsistencies

What stands out

Effects and spectacleDivisive80

Top-notch CGI for shrinking/growing sequences; creative ant-scale action

ActingDivisive78

Paul Rudd's charming, effortless lead performance; Douglas and Lilly add gravitas; Peña provides comic relief

HumorDivisive76

Consistently funny with standout moments from Peña's storytelling; some forced jokes

DialogueDivisive70

Witty banter and Rudd's deadpan quips land well, though some jokes feel forced

PacingDivisive58

Brisk and breezy for fans; detractors find it plodding and unbalanced

Plot and storyDivisive52

Simple heist structure works for fans, but detractors call it formulaic and full of clichés

CharactersDivisive50

Scott Lang relatable as a flawed dad, but villain Darren Cross is one-note and generic

OriginalityDivisive50

Heist twist on superhero formula is fresh, but overall story beats are very familiar

Preferred by

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 15 points higher than users.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 5 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 4 points apart
  • US vs non-US 1 point apart

Watch experience

What is Ant-Man like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Fun ride: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want a fun ride.

It is funny and leaves you feeling good. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Fun ride.

The answer rests on this: Moods
ThrillingHopefulAbsurd
Heaviest: throughout
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
PlayfulWry · 7% of films: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneAnt-Man plays its superhero premise with a light, self-aware touch, balancing humor with genuine heart and not taking itself too seriously.
The rideThe film maintains a buoyant, action-packed energy from start to finish, with emotional beats woven evenly through the heist and training sequences.
StructureThe film follows a conventional three-act structure: Lang's recruitment and training, the planning of the heist, and the final confrontation and rescue.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

The answer rests on this: Feel-goodFun
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you with a light, upbeat feeling, celebrating Lang's redemption and the successful heist without heavy emotional residue.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Monster
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% (this title) · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Corporate villainy: A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).

21% of films fit this archetype

with Rags to riches underneath

Why this archetypeScott Lang is recruited to steal back Hank Pym's shrinking technology from Darren Cross's corporation before it is weaponized and sold, blending a heist plot with a fight against a corporate threat.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfFamilybonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% (this title) · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% (this title) · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Family bondsRedemption · 6% of films: Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Purpose · 9% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Global stakes: Consequences reach the world.Single lead
How it treats its themeScott Lang's drive to be a good father and Hank Pym's fractured relationship with his daughter frame the action around family reconciliation and finding one's purpose.
StanceThe film celebrates family bonds and second chances, showing that a flawed everyman can become a hero through love and responsibility.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticInstitutionalScience fiction
Orchestral modernSupportive music · original score · Christophe Beck
SettingSan Francisco Bay Area, with Pym Technologies' corporate labs and Scott's modest home.
MusicThe score emphasizes playful, jazzy motifs during heist sequences and swelling brass for heroic moments.

Content guide

Is Ant-Man okay for kids?

PG-13

Ant-Man is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence” (MPAA). As of September 28, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (40/100), sexual content at mild (15/100), language at moderate (42/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (24/100) and frightening material at mild (31/100). Overall it is heavier than 17% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 33 other countries
  • UK12A
  • CanadaPG
  • AustraliaPG
  • Germany12
  • France12
  • Ireland12A
  • New ZealandPG
  • JapanG
  • South Korea12
  • Brazil12
  • BelgiumKT
  • BGB
  • Czechia15+
  • Denmark15
  • FinlandK-12
  • GreeceK12
  • Hong KongIIA
  • Hungary12
  • ID13+
  • IndiaUA
  • ItalyT
  • LTN-13
  • MexicoB
  • Netherlands12
  • Norway12
  • Poland12
  • PortugalM/12
  • RO12
  • Russia12+
  • Spain7
  • Sweden11
  • Taiwan保護級
  • Türkiye10+
Overall
Mild · all five categories
Heavier than 16% of all filmsHeavier than 17% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 39%
Sex & Nudity
Mild
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 20%
Profanity
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 51%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 24%
Frightening / Intense
Mild
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 29%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is language, heavier than 51% of PG-13-rated films.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Ant-Man have?

MovieCove's classifier found 5 depicted content warnings in Ant-Man: Animal cruelty (moderate), Gun violence (moderate), plus 3 withheld here because they would spoil the plot. Each is backed by a verbatim quote from the parents' guide notes; a missing warning is not a guarantee of absence.

ModerateAnimal crueltyGun violence

Cast and crew

Who is in Ant-Man?

Cast

2 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Paul Rudd
as Scott Lang
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Michael Douglas
as Dr. Hank Pym
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Evangeline Lilly
as Hope van Dyne
Corey Stoll
as Darren Cross
Bobby Cannavale
as Paxton
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Anthony Mackie
as Sam Wilson
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Judy Greer
as Maggie Lang
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Abby Ryder Fortson
as Cassie Lang
First film: No prior film role; they had worked in television.
Michael Peña
as Luis
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
David Dastmalchian
as Kurt

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Ant-Man?

Movies like Ant-Man include Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018), Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) and Iron Man 2 (2010). Of the 12 closest matches, several are films written by Larry Lieber, and most are action comedies.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

All 12 share its world: superhero. Those cards say what else they share.

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What else shares a premise, people or place with Ant-Man?

467 other films share the rarest tag below, up against: scientist. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.