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Starship Troopers

Play trailer Poster for Starship Troopers R 1997 2h 9m Sci-Fi Action Play Trailer Watchlist
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72% Tomatometer 82 Reviews 70% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
In the distant future, the Earth is at war with a race of giant alien insects. Little is known about the Bugs except that they are intent on the eradication of all human life. But there was a time before the war... A Mobile Infantry travels to distant alien planets to take the war to the Bugs. They are a ruthless enemy with only one mission: Survival of their species no matter what the cost...

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Starship Troopers

Starship Troopers

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Critics Consensus

A fun movie...if you can accept the excessive gore and wooden acting.

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Critics Reviews

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Lisa Alspector Chicago Reader 03/16/2023
Director Paul Verhoeven blends the conflicting elements of intentional camp and perverse sincerity into a single tone—and he doesn’t resort to simple irony. Go to Full Review Jason Bailey Vice 11/14/2017
In its early scenes, 'Troopers 'is basically a goofy high school movie, complete with love triangles, a big game, and a school dance (and sex) after. Once they've begun infantry training, the flexing of machismo so over the top, it can only be satire. Go to Full Review Nick Schager Lessons of Darkness 06/20/2005
B+
More effective as a satire than as an action extravaganza. Go to Full Review Patrick Cavanaugh The Wolfman Cometh Sep 12
3/5
Might not be the revisionist masterpiece some make it out to be, though its message does hit a lot harder than when audiences merely thought they were getting a bombastic sci-fi spectacle. Go to Full Review Ray Pride Newcity 02/13/2025
10/10
Cruelly visionary... You should see Verhoeven’s immense satiric mastery on the big screen, you should. (Beware those who identify with the bugs.) You want to know more. Go to Full Review Todd James Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Alberta) 08/06/2024
3/5
Despite the high-tech special effects, director Verhoeven allows for a lot of campy fun. This movie does not take itself seriously. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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RoniM T @RT41624643 Mar 17 I absolutely loved this film, a lot of commentary on fascist society and blind obedience. I think it's a must-see, not only for the iconic, classic quotes but also for the plot and huge amount of satire, despite being inside a cheesy 90's film. See more Joseph T @Joesysgabosh Feb 7 Worth watching top 10 movie See more Griffith J @griffithxjohnson Jan 6 It’s cheesy & campy but fully aware of itself while subtly adding themes of fascism & military glorification. Taking tons of inspiration from 60’s & 70’s science fiction, the tone is familiar & inviting. Adapting tough source material by writing a more narrative focused story works well. Yet what is special about the book is heavily glossed over & ultimately makes for an underwhelming film. It’s bold with the outrageous violence & use of CGI/practical effects but paired with some solid social commentary on the philosophy of war. See more Ray C @RT17651982 Nov 22 Starship Troopers is cheesy and full of wooden acting. But, it's also a lot of fun. See more Jack F @MovieFan111 Nov 19 I'm giving this 5 stars because I think it's the first R movie I've seen from start to finish. I think I was in kindergarten when I watched it. Used to call it the "bug movie"! See more William W @RT66515145 Nov 10 A criminally underrated sci-fi satire masterpiece! See more Read all reviews
Starship Troopers

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Cast & Crew

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Paul Verhoeven

Director

Casper Van Dien

Johnny Rico

Dina Meyer

Dizzy Flores

Denise Richards

Carmen Ibanez

Jake Busey

Ace Levy

Neil Patrick Harris

Carl Jenkins

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Starship Troopers

Starship Troopers (1997) Starship Troopers (1997) Starship Troopers (1997) The Mobile Infantry fight off the bug horde while trapped within the Whiskey Outpost on Planet "P." On the Planet Klendathu, troopers prepare an attack against giant alien insects. A Mobile Infantry trooper (Curnal Aulisio) is captured by a Hopper Bug. Starship pilots Zander Barcalow (Patrick Muldoon) and Carmen Ibanez (Denise Richards) on alert in bug tunnels against possible attack by giant alien insects. (Left) - Casper Van Dien stars as Johnny Rico, a Mobile Infantry trooper in the war against giant alien insects. (Right) Dina Meyer stars as Dizzy Flores, one of the young Mobile Infantry recruits. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In the distant future, the Earth is at war with a race of giant alien insects. Little is known about the Bugs except that they are intent on the eradication of all human life. But there was a time before the war... A Mobile Infantry travels to distant alien planets to take the war to the Bugs. They are a ruthless enemy with only one mission: Survival of their species no matter what the cost...
Director
Paul Verhoeven
Producer
Jon Davison, Alan Marshall
Screenwriter
Robert A. Heinlein, Edward Neumeier
Distributor
Trimark Pictures
Production Co
Touchstone Pictures, TriStar Pictures, Big Bug Pictures
Rating
R (Nudity|Graphic Sci-Fi Violence/Gore|Some Language)
Genre
Sci-Fi, Action
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 7, 1997, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$54.7M
Runtime
2h 9m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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