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The Box poster

The Box (2009)

Film · 1h 55m · Rated PG-13
Sci-FiThriller

A mysterious box offers a million dollars, but pressing its button brings a stranger's death.

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Norma and Arthur Lewis, a suburban couple with a young child, receive a simple wooden box as a gift, which bears fatal and irrevocable consequences. A mysterious stranger delivers the message that the box promises to bestow upon its owner $1 million with the press of a button. However pressing this button will simultaneously cause the death of another human being somewhere in the world; someone they don't know. With just 24 hours to have the box in their possession, Norma and Arthur find themselves in the cross-hairs of a startling moral dilemma and must face the true nature of their humanity.

How intense is The Box?

Scaremildly scary
Gorelight gore
Violencesome violence
Emotional weightdevastating

The Box is mildly scary, with light gore and some violence. Emotionally it is devastating. The pace is measured, and it is a full-attention watch. Rated PG-13.

What The Box feels like

Tone
suspensefulbleakgritty
Pace
Measured
Best for
Full attention

Where to stream The Box

Not on a US subscription service at our last check. Rent or buy may still be an option.

US availability via TMDB, last checked Sep 16, 2026. The app filters picks to the services you actually have.

Is The Box for you?

Is The Box scary?

Only a little. The Box has a few tense moments (scare level 1 of 3), nothing that follows you to bed.

Is The Box gory or violent?

Light gore (1 of 3) and some violence (1 of 3).

Is The Box sad or heavy?

Yes. Emotional weight 3 of 3. It hits hard; do not plan anything light after.

Is The Box OK for kids?

It is rated PG-13. Intensity: scare 1, gore 1, violence 1, each out of 3. Your call for older kids.

How long is The Box?

The Box runs 1h 55m.

Where can I stream The Box?

The Box is not on a US subscription service right now (rent or buy may still be an option).

Does The Box have a happy ending? spoiler-safe answer

It leaves the ending open to interpretation.

Cast and crew

DirectorRichard Kelly
StarringCameron Diaz, James Marsden, Frank Langella, James Rebhorn, Holmes Osborne, Sam Oz Stone

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This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Intensity, tone and pace tags are CouchRot's own.