Inception
Updated: 12/11/2025, 1:34:35 PM Wikipedia source
Inception is a 2010 science fiction action film written and directed by Christopher Nolan, who also produced it with Emma Thomas, his wife. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as a professional thief who steals information by infiltrating the subconscious of his targets. He is offered a chance to have his criminal history erased as payment for the implantation of another person's idea into a target's subconscious. The ensemble cast includes Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Elliot Page, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Tom Berenger, Dileep Rao, and Michael Caine. After the completion of Insomnia in 2002, Nolan presented to Warner Bros. a written 80-page treatment for a horror film envisioning "dream stealers," based on lucid dreaming. Deciding he needed more experience before tackling a production of this magnitude and complexity, Nolan shelved the project and instead worked on 2005's Batman Begins, 2006's The Prestige, and 2008's The Dark Knight. The treatment was revised over six months and was purchased by Warner Bros. in February 2009. Inception was filmed in six countries, beginning in Tokyo on June 19 and ending in Canada on November 22. Its official budget was $160 million, split between Warner Bros. and Legendary. Nolan's reputation and success with The Dark Knight helped secure the film's US$100 million in advertising expenditure. Inception's premiere was held in London on July 8, 2010; it was released in both conventional and IMAX theaters beginning on July 16, 2010. Inception grossed $839.4 million worldwide, becoming the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2010. Considered one of the best films of the 2010s and the 21st century, Inception, among its numerous accolades, won four Oscars (Best Cinematography, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, Best Visual Effects) and was nominated for four more (Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Original Score) at the 83rd Academy Awards.
Infobox
Directed by
Christopher Nolan
Written by
Christopher Nolan
Produced by
mw- Emma Thomas Christopher Nolan
Starring
Leonardo DiCaprio Ken Watanabe Joseph Gordon-Levitt Marion Cotillard Elliot Page[a] Tom Hardy Cillian Murphy Tom Berenger Michael Caine
Cinematography
Wally Pfister
Edited by
Lee Smith
Music by
Hans Zimmer
Productioncompanies
Warner Bros. Pictures Legendary Pictures Syncopy
Distributed by
Warner Bros. Pictures
Release dates
July 8, 2010 (2010-07-08) (Odeon Leicester Square) July 16, 2010 (2010-07-16) (United States and United Kingdom)
Running time
148 minutes
Countries
United States United Kingdom
Language
English
Budget
$160 million
Box office
$839.4 million
Tables
· Reception › Box office
All-time worldwide
All-time worldwide
Film
United States
Release date
North America
Box office revenue
International
Box office revenue
Worldwide
Box office revenue
All-time domestic
Box office ranking
All-time worldwide
No. 109
No. 109
Film
Inception
Release date
July 2010
Box office revenue
US$292, 587, 330
Box office revenue
US$578, 205, 319
Box office revenue
US$839, 030, 630
Box office ranking
No. 109
Box office ranking
No. 80
Budget
US$160, 000, 000
| Film | Release date | Box office revenue | Box office ranking | Budget | Reference | |||
| United States | North America | International | Worldwide | All-time domestic | All-time worldwide | |||
| Inception | July 2010 | US$292, 587, 330 | US$578, 205, 319 | US$839, 030, 630 | No. 109 | No. 80 | US$160, 000, 000 | |
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