Verdict:The Night That Panicked America is a confirmed HIT based on our analysis of audience ratings and box office momentum.
With a rating of 6.8/10, it has delivered a mixed experience for fans of the Drama, TV Movie genre.
Answer: Yes, The Night That Panicked America is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 92 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Last updated: January 10, 2026
Released in 1975, The Night That Panicked America enters the Drama genre with a narrative focused on A dramatization of the Oct. Under the direction of Joseph Sargent, the film attempts to weave detailed character arcs with visual storytelling.
The film is anchored by performances from Vic Morrow, Cliff DeYoung, Michael Constantine. While the cast delivers competent performances, the script occasionally limits their range.
From a technical standpoint, The Night That Panicked America offers a competent presentation. The cinematography aligns well with the tone, keeping the narrative moving at a brisk pace.
As of January 2026, The Night That Panicked America is available in theaters worldwide. For streaming audiences in the US and UK, look for availability on major platforms roughly 45 days after the theatrical release. Check your local listings for specific showtimes.
With an audience rating of 6.8/10, the reception has been generally positive. For fans of Drama, TV Movie, it serves as a worthy addition to the watchlist.
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.8/10, and global collection metrics, The Night That Panicked America stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1975 cinematic year.
The Night That Panicked America has received mixed reviews with a 6.8/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
The Night That Panicked America is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Drama, TV Movie movies, but read reviews first.
The Night That Panicked America is a Drama, TV Movie movie that A dramatization of the Oct. 30, 1938 mass panic that Orson Welles' radio play, "The War of the Worlds" accidentally provoked....
**_The Martians are coming, the Martians are coming!!!_** On the night before Halloween, 1938, Orson Welles directs a radio adaptation of HG Wells' novel The War of the Worlds from forty years prior. The "breaking news" style of ominous storytelling convinced many listeners throughout America to take it seriously, causing a panic. The illusion of realism was reinforced by the lack of commercial interruptions, which meant that the first break didn’t come until after all of the alarming "news" had been given. A television production, “The Night that Panicked America” (1975) works well enough to help you see how Welles’ show could deceive those who failed to hear the opening announcement indicating that the show was a work of fiction. Paul Shenar does a good job playing Welles and there are several familiar faces, like Vic Morrow, Eileen Brennan, Meredith Baxter, Will Geer, Tom Bosley and John Ritter just before his success with Three’s Company. The ending fittingly mentions the town of Concrete, Washington, which is located 96 miles northeast of Seattle. During the midpoint of the broadcast a coincidental power failure plunged the town of (then) one thousand people into darkness. Needless to say, they were probably the most terrified listeners in America. It runs 1 hour, 32 minutes, and was shot in Los Angeles. GRADE: B
