Hancock
Performance & Direction: Hancock Review
Last updated: February 16, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Hancock (2008) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.4/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Fantasy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Fantasy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Hancock features a noteworthy lineup led by Will Smith . Supported by the likes of Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Hancock
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2008, Hancock is a Fantasy, Action film directed by Peter Berg. The narrative transports viewers to imaginative worlds filled with magic, wonder, and epic adventures. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Will Smith.
Story Breakdown
The title presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. Hancock is a down-and-out superhero who's forced to employ a PR expert to help repair his image when the public grows weary of all the damage he's inflicted during his lifesaving heroics. The agent's idea of imprisoning the antihero to make the world miss him proves successful, but will Hancock stick to his new sense of purpose or slip back into old habits? The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The title establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Will Smith's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Thematic Depth
The film operates on multiple levels, using its genre framework to explore deeper themes about human nature, society, and the choices that define us.
What Works & What Doesn't
✅ Strengths
- Solid execution of genre conventions
- Engaging moments that showcase the creators' vision
- Competent performances from the cast
⚠️ Weaknesses
- Some narrative choices that feel predictable
- Occasional pacing lulls in the middle act
Ending Explained: Hancock
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Peter Berg, Hancock concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to fantasy resolution.
The climactic sequence delivers on the escalating tension involving Will Smith, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the fantasy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Hancock reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Hancock?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Fantasy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Will Smith or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: Hancock
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $150.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $629.4M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Hancock Budget
The estimated production budget for Hancock is $150.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Hancock
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YouTubeHancock Parents Guide & Age Rating
2008 AdvisoryWondering about Hancock age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Hancock is 92 minutes (1h 32m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.4/10, and global performance metrics, Hancock is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2008 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hancock worth watching?
Hancock is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Fantasy movies. It has a verified rating of 6.4/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Hancock parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Hancock identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Hancock?
The total duration of Hancock is 92 minutes, which is approximately 1h 32m long.
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Critic Reviews for Hancock
Yeah, this stank. Hancock had character at the start of the film, but that slowly faded away by the second half, that just sort of floundered until it ended. It lacked the humor that comes with a lot of Will Smith's other outings, and it lacks the charisma that usually seeps out of Smith. It just seemed to fail on every front.
**Despite being one of the great films of Will Smith's career, it is a weak and uninteresting film.** I think almost everyone who has seen superhero movies, especially the bigger budget ones, has wondered how it's possible that those heroes are so destructive: in order to eliminate an enemy or a danger, they destroy half a city as collateral damage. This film works precisely on top of that: Hancock is a superhero who doesn't seem to want to be one, and who doesn't know how to deal with it. As a result, and despite being effective at what he does, he is quite destructive and unpopular until the day he gets an image manager. Although Will Smith is one of those actors that I never really appreciated very much, I have to admit that he did a lot of good to bet on this film. The character is perfect for the actor, who seems to be as charismatic as he is grumpy, and Smith's effort turns out to be the big reason to see the film. Smith gives us a very well done job and manages to bear the effort and responsibility of the protagonist with great capacity. Charlize Theron also deserves a positive note for the work she left us in this film. Jason Bateman brings to life the most likeable and palatable character in the film, but he doesn't have the material to match his colleagues. Unfortunately, beyond the work of Smith and his co-stars, the film doesn't really have much else to offer us. The script starts from a very interesting idea, but fails to flesh it out and develops it in a very inefficient way. The result ends up being a frankly uneven film, where a good beginning leads to a dull stagnation and, later, a highly predictable and tiring ending. On a technical level, we can highlight, on a positive note, the quality of the cinematography and CGI effects used, as well as the effective and properly used soundtrack. Everything else is simply boring and not worthy of particular mention.
I like this movie because it's different from your typical superhero character. He cracks me up to. They have some pretty cool fight scenes in this.
It was funny had a good twist and I enjoyed the story. Romance was nice and the characters were well developed and emotional so it was a good effort. It was a good movie, but for such great actors it felt like something was missing.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.











