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Battle Los Angeles

Battle Los Angeles

It's not war. It's survival.

2011116 minPG-13Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films
Director
Jonathan Liebesman
Starring
Aaron Eckhart, Ramón Rodríguez, Will Rothhaar, Michael Peña

When once distant UFOs become a terrifying threat and an alien invasion force begins attacking Earths major costal and riverside cities, a U.S Marine staff sergeant and his team are sent into battle only to find they must take it upon themselves to defeat an unknown enemy and protect what remains of Los Angeles.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Battle Los Angeles?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Battle Los Angeles streaming on Sony Pictures Core via Prime Video and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Subscription

via Prime Video

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Battle Los Angeles?

Battle Los Angeles earns 5 badges, led by Box Office Hit and Before they were famous.

  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Battle Los Angeles worth watching?

Battle Los Angeles' Midcredits score is the 32nd percentile of all films, from 273K ratings across 6 sources. 39% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

32nd percentile

Better received than 32% of films

47th percentile among Action33rd percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)29th
Approval (how many liked it)36th

55 /100

29th percentile of all films

44th percentile among Action31st percentile among 2010s

Critics 37 · Audience 56

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 5.9 — solid but not unanimous.

39% liked it

36th percentile of all films

51st percentile among Action36th percentile among 2010s
39% rated it 7–1061% rated it 1–6

Critics 37% · Audience 48%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 0 wins / 4 noms overall

98th percentile

272K ratings across platforms

95th percentile among Action97th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 26% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$70M
Opening weekend$36M
Domestic gross$84M
Worldwide gross$212M

Returned 3.0× its budget — 91st percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A loud, straightforward alien-invasion shoot-'em-up with little depth or originality.

Fans praised

  • relentless action and spectacle
  • authentic military combat feel
  • effective use of handheld camera for immersion

Detractors panned

  • rote, cliché-ridden plot
  • underwritten characters
  • shaky-cam obscures action

What stands out

Effects and spectacleDivisive65

decent CGI for alien ships and explosions but some cheap-looking models

Acting65

Aaron Eckhart and Michelle Rodriguez praised as solid; other cast called flat or forgettable

TensionDivisive60

strong suspense in action set pieces, but diluted by predictability

PacingDivisive45

non-stop action but overlong and repetitive in middle

CharactersDivisive25

cardboard stereotypes, no development or emotional investment

Dialogue25

cheesy, cliché-ridden one-liners and grunt speak

Plot and storyDivisive20

thin and predictable, a standard war movie template with aliens

Originality20

derivative of Black Hawk Down and other alien invasion films

Preferred by

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

  • Women vs men 9 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 3 points apart
  • Critics vs users 6 points apart
  • US vs non-US 5 points apart

Watch experience

What is Battle Los Angeles like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Tense and gripping: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something tense that holds you to the end.

It is intense, never lets up and leaves you fired up.

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

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Tense and gripping.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseThrillingDread
Heaviest: late
Register
Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.Adventurous · 11% of filmsBrutal · 7% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its alien invasion premise straight, with a solemn, militaristic seriousness — no irony or winks, just earnest combat and sacrifice.
The rideThe film maintains high tension and dread throughout as the Marines face an overwhelming enemy, with the heaviest emotional and action-packed moments likely in the final battle. Moderate volatility due to shifts between combat and quiet moments.
StructureThe story follows a conventional three-act structure: deployment and inciting battle, the mission to rescue civilians, and the final confrontation.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Fired up.

Rousing · 10% of filmsCathartic · 6% of films
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you fired up by the Marines' resilience and sacrifice, with a cathartic sense of mission accomplished despite heavy losses.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet 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).MonsterInvasion
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% (this title) · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · 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. · Invasion: An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).

21% of films fit this archetype

with Quest underneath

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeAn alien invasion forces a Marine platoon to fight through Los Angeles, rescue trapped civilians, and survive a carpet bombing. The mission to reach the police station and escort the civilians back fits the escort_protector type, and the battle to hold the line adds a siege element.

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 filmsSelfSurvival
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% (this title) · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% (this title) · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15% (this title): Survival 17% (this title) · 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%

Survival

SurvivalDuty · 2% of filmsSacrifice · 4% 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 themeThe film focuses on the Marines' fight to stay alive against an overwhelming alien threat, interwoven with their sense of duty and willingness to sacrifice for each other.
StanceThe film presents the Marines' will to survive and their sacrifice for each other as heroic and worthy of celebration, with the fate of the world at stake and Nantz as the central protagonist.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanInstitutionalScience fiction
Orchestral modernForeground music · original score · Brian Tyler
SettingLos Angeles during an alien invasion, with Marines fighting through city streets and military outposts.
MusicA pounding, militaristic orchestral score that underscores the relentless action and stakes.

Content guide

Is Battle Los Angeles okay for kids?

PG-13

Battle Los Angeles is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for sustained and intense sequences of war violence and destruction, and for language” (MPAA). As of September 28, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (66/100), sexual content at minimal (12/100), language at moderate (57/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (31/100) and frightening material at intense (65/100). Overall it is heavier than 86% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 21 other countries
  • UK12A
  • Canada14A
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany16
  • FranceTP
  • Ireland12
  • New ZealandM
  • JapanPG12
  • South Korea12
  • Brazil12
  • Hungary16
  • ItalyT
  • LTN-13
  • Netherlands12
  • Poland16
  • PortugalM/12
  • SK15
  • Spain12
  • Sweden15
  • THน 13+
  • TTPG-13
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 54% of all filmsHeavier than 86% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
Intense
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 85%
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 15%
Profanity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 84%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 48%
Frightening / Intense
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 85%

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

The reason to think twice is violence and frightening material.

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 Battle Los Angeles have?

MovieCove's classifier found 3 depicted content warnings in Battle Los Angeles: Gore or body horror (moderate), Gun violence (moderate), plus 1 withheld here because it 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.

ModerateGore or body horrorGun violence

Cast and crew

Who is in Battle Los Angeles?

Cast

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

Aaron Eckhart
as Ssgt. Michael Nantz
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.
Ramón Rodríguez
as 2nd Lt. William Martinez
Will Rothhaar
as Cpl. Lee Imlay
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.
Michael Peña
as Joe Rincon
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Bridget Moynahan
as Michele
Noel Fisher
as Pfc. Shaun Lenihan
Joey King
as Kirsten
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Beth Keener
as Kathy Martinez
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Jessica Heap
as Jessy
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Cory Hardrict
as Cpl. Jason Lockett

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Battle Los Angeles?

Movies like Battle Los Angeles include Skyline (2010), Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (1956) and Independence Day (1996). Of the 12 closest matches, most are invasion stories, and most are stories about aliens.

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

7 of these 12 share its story type: alien contact. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Battle Los Angeles?

378 other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: alien contact. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.