The Manhattan Project

The Manhattan Project

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.

PG-13 1986 · 118 min · ★ 6.2 · Science Fiction, Thriller

A gifted high school student steals plutonium from the secret nuclear weapons facility in his home town in order to construct his own nuclear bomb, win a national science fair, and expose the government's secrets.

Directed by Marshall Brickman · Written by Marshall Brickman

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Rent or Buy

Cast

John Lithgow John Mathewson
Christopher Collet Paul Stephens
Cynthia Nixon Jenny Anderman
Jill Eikenberry Elizabeth Stephens
John Mahoney Lt. Col. Conroy
Richard Jenkins Radiation Controls Officer
Sully Boyar Night Guard
Timothy Carhart Relief Guard
Gregg Edelman Science Teacher
JD Cullum Eccles (as John David Cullum)
Abraham Unger Roland (as Abe Unger)
Robert Sean Leonard Max

Trailers & Videos

Make it a double feature

3h 34m together

The Manhattan Project

Manhattan

Both from Marshall Brickman.

More from Marshall BrickmanSee all →

Woody Allen Looks at 1967

Woody Allen Looks at 1967 · 1967

Woody Allen Looks at 1967

MovieTV MovieComedy

Woody Allen's whimsey is turned loose on the news, social events, and happenings of 1967. Such groovey guests as Aretha Franklin, Liza Minnelli, and William F. Buckley, Jr. participate.

Annie Hall

Annie Hall · 1977

MovieComedyDrama

New York comedian Alvy Singer falls in love with the ditsy Annie Hall.

Manhattan

Manhattan · 1979

MovieComedyDrama

Manhattan explores how the life of a middle-aged television writer dating a teenage girl is further complicated when he falls in love with his best friend's mistress.

Manhattan Murder Mystery

Manhattan Murder Mystery · 1993

Manhattan Murder Mystery

MovieComedyMystery

A middle-aged couple suspects foul play when their neighbor's wife suddenly drops dead.

Sleeper

Sleeper · 1973

MovieComedyScience Fiction

Miles Monroe, a clarinet-playing health food store proprietor, is revived out of cryostasis 200 years into a future world in order to help rebels fight an oppressive government regime.

Jersey Boys

Jersey Boys · 2014

MovieMusicDrama

A musical biopic of the Four Seasons—the rise, the tough times and personal clashes, and the ultimate triumph of a group of friends whose music became symbolic of a generation. Far from a mere tribute concert, it gets to the heart of the relationships at the centre of the group, with a special focus on frontman Frankie Valli, the small kid with the big falsetto.

For the Boys

For the Boys · 1991

MovieDramaMusic

Talented USO entertainer Dixie Leonard and comedian Eddie Sparks deal with their relationship over the course of 5 decades from World War II to the Vietnam War era to their twilight era in the 90's.

Simon

MovieComedyScience Fiction

A group of scientists take Simon, a psychology professor, as a test person for a brainwashing experiment and try to convince him that he is a living being from another planet.

Lovesick

Lovesick · 1983

MovieRomanceComedy

Sigmund Freud's ghost advises a married New York psychiatrist in love with a patient.

Sounds from a Town I Love

Sounds from a Town I Love · 2001

Sounds from a Town I Love

A montage of short scenes of New Yorkers talking on their cellphones, evoking snippets of conversation overheard in passing on the streets of Manhattan. Intended as a celebration of the people of New York City after the events of September 11, 2001.

Kraft Music Hall

Kraft Music Hall · 1958

Kraft Music Hall

Kraft Music Hall is an umbrella title for several television series aired by NBC in the United States from the 1950s to the 1970s in the musical variety genre, sponsored by Kraft Foods, the producers of a well-known line of cheeses and related dairy products. Their commercials were usually announced by "The Voice of Kraft", Ed Herlihy.

The Concert for New York City

The Concert for New York City · 2001

The Concert for New York City

MovieMusicDocumentary

The Concert for New York City (2001) captures the star-studded benefit held at Madison Square Garden on October 20, 2001, honoring the city’s resilience and the heroism of first responders after 9/11. Attended by thousands of firefighters, police officers, and rescue workers, the concert features performances by Paul McCartney, The Who, Elton John, Billy Joel, and other music legends in a powerful tribute to unity, courage, and recovery.

Intersection

Intersection · 1994

MovieDramaRomance

During a car accident, Vincent Eastman watches his whole life flash before his eyes, and he doesn't like what he sees. While maintaining the semblance of a marriage with his wife, Sally, Vincent has been carrying on with a mistress, Olivia. She's everything Sally isn't -- warm, passionate, carefree. So why can't he choose between the two, especially when his indecision is taking its toll on his daughter?

Sister Mary Explains It All

Sister Mary Explains It All · 2001

Sister Mary Explains It All

MovieComedyDrama

Near Christmas, four former students of Sister Mary Ignatius drop in at a holiday event at the school where the Roman Catholic nun has taught for many years. Now adults, the students have decided to tell Sister Mary that her rigid classroom lessons and demeanor left them emotionally wounded. Sister Mary tries to maintain her composure, but as the ex-students keep at it, the evening takes a stunning turn.

More Like This

Oceans Rising

Oceans Rising · 2017

MovieActionScience Fiction

A scientist readies a boat after his warnings of an Earth-destroying flood are ignored. However, after the disasters reach a peak level of destruction those who maligned the scientist now turn to him in desperation, as he and other refugees look to save the world and stop the disaster using the two Supercolliders on opposite sides of the Atlantic.

The Day After Tomorrow

The Day After Tomorrow · 2004

The Day After Tomorrow

MovieScience FictionThriller

After paleoclimatologist Jack Hall is largely ignored by UN officials when presenting his environmental concerns about the beginning of a new Ice Age, his research proves true when a superstorm develops, setting off catastrophic natural disasters throughout the world. Trying to get to his son, Sam, who is trapped in New York City with his friend Laura and others, Jack and his crew must travel to get to Sam before it's too late.

Shaft's Big Score!

Shaft's Big Score! · 1972

Shaft's Big Score!

MovieCrimeThriller

John Shaft is back as the lady-loved black detective cop on the search for the murderer of a client.

Reservoir Dogs

Reservoir Dogs · 1992

MovieCrimeThriller

A botched robbery indicates a police informant, and the pressure mounts in the aftermath at a warehouse. Crime begets violence as the survivors -- veteran Mr. White, newcomer Mr. Orange, psychopathic parolee Mr. Blonde, bickering weasel Mr. Pink and Nice Guy Eddie -- unravel.

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer · 2007

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer

MovieScience FictionAdventure

The Fantastic Four return to the big screen as a new and all powerful enemy threatens the Earth. The seemingly unstoppable 'Silver Surfer', but all is not what it seems and there are old and new enemies that pose a greater threat than the intrepid superheroes realize.

The Driver

The Driver · 1978

MovieCrimeThriller

The Driver specializes in driving getaway cars for robberies. His exceptional talent has prevented him from being caught yet. After another successful flight from the police a self-assured detective makes it his primary goal to catch the Driver. He promises pardons to a gang if they help to convict him in a set-up robbery. The Driver seeks help from The Player to mislead the detective.

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within · 2001

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within

MovieActionAdventure

Led by a strange dream, scientist Aki Ross struggles to collect the eight spirits in the hope of creating a force powerful enough to protect the planet. With the aid of the Deep Eyes Squadron and her mentor, Dr. Sid, Aki must save the Earth from its darkest hate and unleash the spirits within.

Wedlock

Wedlock · 1991

MovieActionScience Fiction

A male prison escapee heads for his hidden loot, electronically attached to a female prisoner.

The Getaway

The Getaway · 1994

MovieActionAdventure

An ex-con and his devoted wife must flee from danger when a heist doesn't go as planned.

Fantastic Voyage

Fantastic Voyage · 1966

Fantastic Voyage

MovieScience FictionAdventure

In order to save an assassinated scientist, a submarine and its crew are shrunk to microscopic size and injected into his bloodstream.

Liberty Stands Still

Liberty Stands Still · 2002

Liberty Stands Still

MovieThrillerAction

As the heir and current marketing director for one of the nation's biggest gun manufacturers, Liberty Wallace is indifferent to the atrocities made possible through her business and her CEO husband, Victor. On her way to see her actor lover, Liberty ends up chained to a food cart full of explosives -- all at the insistence of "Joe", a sniper whose young daughter was a victim of gun violence, and who now has Liberty in his sights.

Repo Man

Repo Man · 1984

MovieComedyScience Fiction

A down and out young punk gets a job working with a seasoned repo man, but what awaits him in his new career is a series of outlandish adventures revolving around aliens, the CIA, and a most wanted '64 Chevy.

Race to Witch Mountain

Race to Witch Mountain · 2009

Race to Witch Mountain

MovieAdventureFamily

A taxi driver gets more than he bargained for when he picks up two teen runaways. Not only does the pair possess supernatural powers, but they're also trying desperately to escape people who have made them their targets.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter