Rollerball

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Rollerball

R,

1975,

2h 8m,

Sci-Fi/

Action

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Watchlist

55%

114 Reviews

Tomatometer

62%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

55%

Tomatometer

114 Reviews

62%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

The year is 2018 in a futuristic society where corporations have replaced countries. A violent futuristic game known as Rollerball is the recreational sport of the world, with teams representing various areas. One player, Jonathan E., fights for his personal freedom and threatens the corporate control.

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Critics Consensus

Its dystopia vision is presented with striking brutality and visual splendor, but Rollerball is often undermined by shallow characterizations and a script that delivers social critique without much conviction.

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Martin Knelman

Globe and Mail

Oct 8, 2025

The combat brutality is strictly routine, and fails entirely to relieve the excruciating lethargy of Rollerball.

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Molly Haskell

Village Voice

Jun 5, 2025

So confused and so poorly articulated is Jewison's vision of the future, that it's hard to know what the message is.

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David Robinson

The Times (UK)

Jun 5, 2025

It is in fact a simple tale, the familiar theme of sci-fi back to Metropolis, despite the costly dressing and the confusions of William Harrison's ill-made screenplay.

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Frank Gagnard

Times-Picayune

Mar 30, 2026

"Rollerball" sounds more meaningful and exciting in summary than it is as spelled out in Harrison's screenplay and under Norman Jewison's direction.

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Charles Brock

Florida Times-Union

Jan 15, 2026

It is viscerally exciting, at times gut twisting.

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Lou Cedrone

Baltimore Sun

Oct 7, 2025

Jewison is nothing if not imaginative, and his film, while dramatically thin, is so technically, so structurally handsome, I enjoyed it throughout.

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Theodore G

Apr 20, 2019

Rollerball is a bit of a neglected sci-fi gem. And for a film that not everybody liked, it delivers some very strong social commentary. It deals with themes of a totalitarian society, conformism, an open lust for violence, and a corrupt utopia. And it actually becomes disturbing. The stunts for the sport scenes are also viciously good, and the music choices are original. Overall, this is an interesting and thought-provoking movie to see. Recommended!!

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Feb 2, 2019

The best thrilling and inspiring sci-fi movie ever made!

Kylo R

Jan 9, 2019

Hard to be objective about this one, as it's wrapped up in some nostalgic movies my father and I shared back in the day. Regardless, I still think it's an underappreciated film when placed in context of era and genre. I've watched it numerous times over the years; it doesn't demand too much from the viewer, but delivers on entertainment every time.

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Theodore R

Mar 6, 2018

There are many reasons to love this gem. Bikes, blood and FIRE!Rollerball is a genre of it's own, and this is one of the best and most convincing FUTURE dystopian /sport films made. the game(it was never really a game!) is fast, fun and truly REALIZED.

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Kylo R

Mar 2, 2018

This was a strangely compelling movie. Their view of 2018 is both right on and completely off.... but the idea of the diminishing power of the individual over the corporate is as true today as it was the ....

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Han R

Feb 1, 2018

It starts strong, dropping you straight into this mysterious world-but it never builds that world enough, never really explains itself, and never establishes the characters' motivations in a way that you're rooting for them at the end.

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Synopsis

The year is 2018 in a futuristic society where corporations have replaced countries. A violent futuristic game known as Rollerball is the recreational sport of the world, with teams representing various areas. One player, Jonathan E., fights for his personal freedom and threatens the corporate control.

Director: Norman Jewison
Producer: Norman Jewison
Screenwriter: William Harrison, William Harrison
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: United Artists, Algonquin
Rating: R
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 1, 1975, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Runtime: 2h 8m
Sound Mix: Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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