The Manhattan Project (1986): cast, story & where to watch
1986 · Film · ★ 6.3
Released in 1986, The Manhattan Project is a thriller and science fiction film directed by Marshall Brickman, running about 118 minutes. “Paul Stevens' high school science project has gotten a little out of hand. He just built an atomic bomb. Now he's got 11 hours to make sure it doesn't work.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Named after the World War II-era program, the plot revolves around a gifted high school student who decides to construct a nuclear bomb for a national science fair. The film's underlying theme involves the Cold War of the 1980s when government secrecy and mutually assured destruction were key political and military issues.
Who’s in it. The Manhattan Project stars John Lithgow as John Mathewson, Christopher Collet as Paul Stephens, Cynthia Nixon as Jenny Anderman and Jill Eikenberry as Elizabeth Stephens, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.3/10, The Manhattan Project has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response. It went on to earn $3.9M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Manhattan Project page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Manhattan Project tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Manhattan Project (1986)?
- In US, The Manhattan Project is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Manhattan Project worth watching?
- The Manhattan Project holds an audience score of 6.3 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 Manhattan Project?
- The Manhattan Project stars John Lithgow, Christopher Collet, Cynthia Nixon, Jill Eikenberry and John Mahoney.
- When was The Manhattan Project released?
- The Manhattan Project was released in 1986, with a runtime of about 118 minutes.