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Blade Runner 2049

Blade Runner 2049

The key to the future is finally unearthed.

2017164 minRMidcredits score: 98th percentile of all films
Director
Denis Villeneuve
Starring
Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Ana de Armas, Dave Bautista

Thirty years after the events of the first film, a new blade runner, LAPD Officer K, unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what's left of society into chaos. K's discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard, a former LAPD blade runner who has been missing for 30 years.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Blade Runner 2049?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Blade Runner 2049 streaming on Paramount+ and Prime Video and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Blade Runner 2049?

Blade Runner 2049 earns 11 badges, led by Top 1% in Action and Oscar Winner.

Show 3 more
  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Blade Runner 2049 worth watching?

Blade Runner 2049's Midcredits score is the 98th percentile of all films, from 3.1M ratings across 6 sources. 86% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

98th percentile

Better received than 98% of films

99th percentile among Action98th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)97th
Approval (how many liked it)96th

80 /100

97th percentile of all films

99th percentile among Action97th percentile among 2010s

Critics 81 · Audience 80

Critics and audiences broadly agree.

Rating distribution

Ratings pile up at 9–10 with almost no detractors — near-universal love.

86% liked it

96th percentile of all films

97th percentile among Action96th percentile among 2010s
86% rated it 7–1014% rated it 1–6

Critics 88% · Audience 88%

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

Awards

2 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 48 wins / 50 noms overall

  • WonAcademy Awards· Best Achievement in Cinematography
  • WonAcademy Awards· Best Achievement in Visual Effects

84th percentile

3.1M ratings across platforms

74th percentile among Action85th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 45% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$150M
Opening weekend$33M
Domestic gross$92M
Worldwide gross$278M

Returned 1.9× its budget — 93rd percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

All camps agree the film is visually stunning and technically masterful, with extraordinary cinematography and a deliberate, slow pace, though they differ on whether the story's substance matches its beauty.

Fans praised

  • Deakins' cinematography is otherworldly, with every frame a visual feast
  • A rare sequel that expands the original's world without copying it
  • Gosling and Ford deliver layered, emotionally resonant performances

Detractors panned

  • Overlong and slow, with scenes dragged out for no reason
  • Style over substance; plot is thin, clichéd, and predictable
  • Confusing story that fails to engage or resolve meaningfully

What stands out

Cinematography95

Deakins' career-best, hailed as some of the most beautiful images ever put on film, even by detractors

Atmosphere90

Grim, immersive dystopia—praised for its world-building and hypnotic tone

Effects and spectacle85

Practical effects and world-building visuals lauded; detractors admit visual splendor

ActingDivisive80

Gosling's restrained turn and Ford's raw, emotional performance praised; detractors call it wooden or phoned-in

OriginalityDivisive75

Seen as a natural, non-derivative sequel; critics call it derivative fan-service

CharactersDivisive70

K's introspective arc and Joi's depth noted; detractors find them one-dimensional

Plot and storyDivisive60

Expands original's mystery with philosophical themes; detractors call it clichéd, confusing, or paper-thin

PacingDivisive45

Deliberate, meditative for fans; virtually all camps flag the excessive length and slow momentum

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 17 points higher than women.

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

  • Under-30s vs over-30s 4 points apart
  • Critics vs users 1 point apart
  • US vs non-US even

Watch experience

What is Blade Runner 2049 like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Food for thought: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready to pay close attention and feel heavy feelings, and you want something to think about afterwards.

It takes its time and leaves you thinking. Skip it when you want an easy night or you can only half-watch.

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

What it asks of you

Your full attention, room for heavy feelings, patience and a taste for open questions.

What it feels like

Food for thought.

Moods
ContemplativeDreadMelancholic
Heaviest: throughout
Register
Brooding: Heavy, inward, weather-beaten.Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its dark, philosophical material with complete seriousness, never undercutting its emotional weight or visual grandeur.
The rideThe mood is consistently somber and philosophical, with a pervasive sense of dread and melancholy that never lets up.
StructureThe narrative follows K's investigation chronologically from discovery to resolution, with no non-linear devices.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Thinking.

The answer rests on this: Thought-provokingHaunting · 14% of films
Why it leaves you this wayThe film's philosophical questions about identity and humanity linger long after, paired with a melancholic, haunting atmosphere.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet endingTwist

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).Mystery
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · 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% (this title): Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% (this title) · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Mystery: A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered. · Investigation: A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).

7% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeThe story is driven by the mystery of a replicant's impossible birth, and K's investigation to uncover the truth leads him to question his own identity.

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 filmsSelfIdentitySelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% (this title) · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% (this title) · 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% · 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%

Self

Identity · 14% of filmsMemory · 3% of films
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Societal stakes: Consequences reach a whole social order.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film interrogates what it means to be human by centering on replicants who possess implanted memories and the struggle for authentic selfhood.
StanceThe film questions the nature of identity and humanity rather than celebrating or condemning it, leaving the answer open.

The world

Near futureUrbanInstitutionalScience fiction
ElectronicOrchestral modernAmbientForeground music · original score · Hans Zimmer
SettingA decaying, rain-soaked Los Angeles of 2049, where replicants are used as slave labor and the line between human and machine is blurred.
MusicThe score is a sweeping, synth-and-orchestra blend that alternates between booming bass and quiet, atmospheric tones.

Content guide

Is Blade Runner 2049 okay for kids?

R

Blade Runner 2049 is rated R: “Rated R for violence, some sexuality, nudity and language” (MPAA). As of October 26, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (72/100), sexual content at intense (69/100), language at moderate (54/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (32/100) and frightening material at intense (62/100). Overall it is heavier than 48% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 33 other countries
  • UK15
  • AustraliaMA 15+
  • Germany12
  • FranceTP
  • Ireland15A
  • New ZealandR13
  • South Korea15
  • Brazil14
  • Belgium18
  • BGD
  • Czechia15+
  • Denmark15
  • FinlandK-16
  • GreeceK15
  • Hong KongIIB
  • Hungary16
  • Israel14
  • ItalyT
  • LTN-13
  • Netherlands16
  • Norway15
  • Poland16
  • PortugalM/14
  • RO18
  • Russia16+
  • SK15
  • Spain12
  • Sweden15
  • Switzerland16
  • Taiwan輔導12歲級
  • TH15
  • Türkiye15+
  • VNC18
Overall
Intense · all five categories
Heavier than 69% of all filmsHeavier than 48% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
Intense
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 54%
Sex & Nudity
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 87%
Profanity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 27%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 24%
Frightening / Intense
Intense
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 49%

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

The reason to think twice is violence, sexual content, and frightening material. Everything else sits at or below what R-rated films usually carry.

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 Blade Runner 2049 have?

MovieCove's classifier found 4 depicted content warnings in Blade Runner 2049: Gun violence (severe), War atrocities (severe), plus 2 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.

SevereGun violenceWar atrocities

Cast and crew

Who is in Blade Runner 2049?

Cast

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

Ryan Gosling
as 'K'
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.
Harrison Ford
as Rick Deckard
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.
Ana de Armas
as Joi
Dave Bautista
as Sapper Morton
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Robin Wright
as Lieutenant Joshi
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Sylvia Hoeks
as Luv
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Mackenzie Davis
as Mariette
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Jared Leto
as Niander Wallace
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Carla Juri
as Dr. Ana Stelline
Hiam Abbass
as Freysa

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Blade Runner 2049?

Movies like Blade Runner 2049 include Blade Runner (1982), A Scanner Darkly (2006) and Reminiscence (2021). Of the 12 closest matches, several are films written by Philip K. Dick, and most are dystopian films.

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

8 of these 12 share its world: cyberpunk. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Blade Runner 2049?

58 other films share the rarest tag below, relationship: artificial companion. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.