The Happening (2008): cast, story & where to watch
2008 · Film · ★ 5.4
Released in 2008, The Happening is a thriller and science fiction film directed by M. Night Shyamalan, running about 91 minutes. “We've sensed it. We've seen the signs. Now...it's happening.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. When a deadly airborne virus threatens to wipe out the northeastern United States, teacher Elliott Moore and his wife Alma flee from contaminated cities into the countryside in a fight to discover the truth. Is it terrorism, the accidental release of some toxic military bio weapon -- or something even more sinister?
Who’s in it. The Happening stars Mark Wahlberg as Elliot Moore, Zooey Deschanel as Alma Moore, John Leguizamo as Julian and Betty Buckley as Mrs. Jones, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.4/10, The Happening has proved divisive with audiences. It went on to earn $163.4M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Happening page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Happening tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Happening (2008)?
- In US, The Happening is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Happening worth watching?
- The Happening holds an audience score of 5.4 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller and science fiction. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Happening?
- The Happening stars Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel, John Leguizamo, Betty Buckley and Ashlyn Sanchez.
- When was The Happening released?
- The Happening was released in 2008, with a runtime of about 91 minutes.