--- title: "Ant-Man and the Wasp" year: 2018 kind: "film" canonical: "https://film.one/film/ant-man-and-the-wasp" fi1m_score: 68 critics_score: 72 critics_reviews: 24 published: "2026-09-19T12:15:48.478582+00:00" updated: "2026-09-19T12:16:16.426167+00:00" region: "US" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) Directed by Peyton Reed · 1h 59m · MPA PG-13 · Action, Adventure, Science Fiction **Fi1m score: 68** · Critics 72 from 24 reviews *In a sentence:* Two hours of clever people fighting over a building the size of a wheelie suitcase > Peyton Reed’s sequel is light, quick and often funny, with Paul Rudd and Michael Peña doing most of the carrying. The plot is a three-way tug over a shrunken laboratory, and most of it had left us by the car park. ## Synopsis San Francisco, two years after the events of *Captain America: Civil War*. Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is three days from the end of his house arrest, wearing an ankle monitor, building cardboard forts with his daughter and learning card tricks, while FBI agent Jimmy Woo (Randall Park) drops round to check he is still indoors. Then he dreams of Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), lost in the Quantum Realm decades ago, and phones her husband, Hank Pym (Michael Douglas). Hank and his daughter Hope (Evangeline Lilly), now fighting as the Wasp, have built a tunnel to bring Janet back and need one last component from a black-market dealer, Sonny Burch (Walton Goggins). Scott must help without being seen to leave the house. Meanwhile a figure who walks through walls, Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), wants Hank’s shrinking laboratory for herself. ## Review Three years after [*Ant-Man*](https://film.one/film/ant-man), Peyton Reed picks Scott Lang up where the bigger films dropped him: confined to his house in San Francisco, three days from freedom, teaching himself close-up magic. *Ant-Man and the Wasp* is the smallest Marvel film, and for a while that is a relief. The object everyone is chasing is a building that folds down to hand luggage, and the worst thing that can happen to the hero is a breach of his bail conditions. We enjoyed it, laughed a fair amount, and could not have told you the plot a week later. The cast is the reason to go. Paul Rudd, who shares the screenplay credit with Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari, plays Scott as a man permanently half a step behind. Evangeline Lilly gets the wings and the blasters and takes the action off his hands; her Hope is brisk, capable and faintly disappointed in everyone, and the film is right to let her lead the fights. Michael Douglas grumbles well. Michael Peña’s Luis narrates a story in his own voice while other actors mouth his words, as he did in the first film, and it is still the best joke the series has. That scene, in which Luis is given a truth serum and cannot stop, had us laughing out loud. Rudd and Lilly bickering in Peña’s cadences works because everyone commits to it. The other big laugh is Scott stuck at the height of a schoolboy, shuffling through his daughter’s school in a hoodie. Reed knows the shrinking joke has only a few settings, too big, too small, wrong object, and he rings the changes patiently: a Hello Kitty Pez dispenser the size of a van, a car chase down the city’s hills in which the cars keep turning into toys. Dante Spinotti shoots San Francisco in flat, bright daylight, so it looks like the city until the effects take over. Shepherd Frankel’s laboratory is the one design idea with any wit, a whole building of brushed steel and hazard yellow that collapses to a case with a handle. Louise Frogley gives Lilly a suit that looks as if it has been through a few fights. Christophe Beck’s score is jaunty brass over the chases and soft and twinkly for the family scenes; it does its job and we could not hum a bar of it. Dan Lebental and Craig Wood cut the chases cleanly enough that you can always tell which car has just shrunk. The trouble is the story: three parties passing one suitcase around for two hours. Walton Goggins’s Sonny Burch, a black-market dealer, exists to steal the lab, lose it and steal it again. Hannah John-Kamen’s Ghost is the more interesting problem. She is a woman whose body will not hold together, flinching through walls, and John-Kamen plays her with a tight, hurt physicality that makes you want the film to stop and look at her. It does not. Her history arrives as a speech from Laurence Fishburne’s Bill Foster, and the film moves on before it has decided how it feels about her. We were sorrier for her than the film seemed to expect, and then it asked us to enjoy watching her get hit. Michelle Pfeiffer is billed sixth and is talked about far more than she is seen. Randall Park’s Jimmy Woo, the FBI man who keeps dropping round, is the one supporting player the script plainly likes. Bobby Cannavale and Judy Greer are back as the ex-wife and her husband and have almost nothing to do except be pleased. The 2015 film had a heist to organise and a man to rehabilitate, and the shrinking served both. Here the shrinking is the point and the story has been fitted round it. It is a lighter, faster, emptier film, and the Marvel entries that step away from the main storyline are usually the ones with room to be funny. Watch it at home with someone who liked the first one and does not mind being told, twice, how the quantum tunnel works. It runs 119 minutes and carries a 12A, and the best jokes are in the middle, so put the kettle on early. *Fi1m score 68, published 19 September 2026.* ## What the critics say Most critics like it, and like it for staying small. The praise clusters on the comedy: Paul Rudd’s low-key affability, Michael Peña’s supporting turn, and size-shifting gags and chases that make visual sense. Several reviews call it a palate cleanser after heavier Marvel entries, and Evangeline Lilly’s Wasp is repeatedly credited with carrying the action. A handful find it faster, funnier and more confident than the first film. The reservations cluster on stakes and staying power. Even admirers concede the plot is a tangle of technobabble, the villain forgettable and the whole thing hard to recall a week later. The dissent is small but pointed: The New Yorker finds the plot dull and dutiful, too tethered to the wider series, while Time Out misses the first film’s irreverence and counts too many flat jokes. Den of Geek calls it competent assembly-line work without flair. Otherwise the spread is narrow; most land on good rather than better. ### Reviews we read (24) - **Variety**, Owen Gleiberman (90/100, inferred): A cunningly swift and delightful comedy of scale that's faster, funnier, and more confident than the original. The director invests every moment with personality through one-liners, effects, and combat that make visual sense. [Read](https://variety.com/2018/film/reviews/ant-man-and-the-wasp-review-paul-rudd-evangeline-lilly-1202858263/) - **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (85/100, inferred): The critic calls it a hilarious, delightful and lovable Marvel entertainment with strong comedy from Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly as the more combat-oriented Wasp. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/aug/02/ant-man-and-the-wasp-review-buzzing-micro-caper-with-a-sting-in-its-tail) - **Radio Times**, Alan Jones (★★★★): The film's self-deprecating tone and Paul Rudd's low-key humour give it a winning quirkiness and balance between silly and serious. Standout comic moments include the truth-serum monologue and mind-meld scenes in a bright, breezy and engaging spectacle. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/ant-man-and-the-wasp-a-refreshingly-different-and-delightful-spectacle/) - **The Hollywood Reporter**, Todd McCarthy (80/100, inferred): The critic calls it probably the most amusing Marvel film since Kevin Feige's reign began, an enjoyably goofy low-stakes respite. He singles out the size-changing gags and comic riffs for praise. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/ant-man-wasp-review-1123413/) - **The Telegraph** (4/5): The critic finds it pleasingly small-scale and personal compared to other MCU films, with clean storytelling, fun chases, and Lilly earning equal billing through strong action sequences. [Read](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/ant-man-wasp-review-marvels-small-scale-superheroes-next-door/) - **The Times**, Kevin Maher (80/100, inferred): The critic hails it as a frothy, self-lacerating screwball comedy that luxuriates in its preposterousness and serves as a welcome palate cleanser among Marvel blockbusters. [Read](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/books/article/film-review-ant-man-and-the-wasp-dn6899209) - **Film Comment**, Michael Sragow (75/100, inferred): The critic praises Peyton Reed for keeping the size-shifting gags and family-oriented charm on a relatable human scale, with Paul Rudd's everyman energy and inventive comedy bits standing out. [Read](https://www.filmcomment.com/blog/deep-focus-ant-man-wasp/) - **Slant Magazine**, Jake Cole (75/100, inferred): The critic praises the sequel for staying true to its small-scale, character-driven roots and ebullient tone amid MCU crossovers. He highlights the dynamic fight scenes using size-shifting and the optimistic vision of heroism. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/ant-man-and-the-wasp/) - **Empire**, Dan Jolin (70/100, inferred): The film is a fun but comparatively minor and light-hitting MCU entry that lacks the scale and ambition of recent Marvel films like Infinity War. It delivers brisk family-focused caper entertainment with strong action sequences featuring the Wasp. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/ant-man-wasp-review/) - **Evening Standard**, Matthew Norman (70/100, inferred): This is a charming, self-parodic high-summer romp that shrinks the MCU's scope to family matters and laughs rather than cosmic stakes. It succeeds as slick, diverting entertainment thanks to the leads' chemistry and inventive silliness. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/ant-man-and-the-wasp-review-marvels-smallest-superhero-gets-big-laughs-a3903116.html) - **Los Angeles Times**, Justin Chang (70/100, inferred): A bright, cheery tonic from the Marvel superhero factory with deliberately low stakes and enormous charm. The zippy action scenes and trippy visual bursts are highlights, along with the complex Ghost character whose struggle stays with you. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-ant-man-and-the-wasp-review-20180627-story.html) - **Screen Daily** (70/100, inferred): The sequel is winningly modest and breezy with a refreshing lack of pretension, delivering heart and humour through its likeable cast rather than awe. It benefits from sharper rapport among the leads and strong supporting turns like Michael Peña's. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/ant-man-and-the-wasp-review/5130411.article) - **Sight and Sound**, Adam Nayman (70/100, inferred): The sequel keeps the story and spectacle small with jocular modesty, treating the convoluted plot as pro forma annoyance. Paul Rudd's sceptical, confused yet committed performance provides the purest movie-star charisma. [Read](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/ant-man-wasp-review-miniaturised-marvel-caper-wins-zing) - **The New York Times**, Manohla Dargis (70/100, inferred): An engaging goof that resists bludgeoning with bigness and settles for good vibes and jokes. The director handles the material with a light touch, embracing the absurdity and making action sequences seamless with the playfulness. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/04/movies/ant-man-and-the-wasp-review-marvel-paul-rudd.html) - **Total Film** (70/100, inferred): It delivers the kind of slick, entertaining MCU fare viewers have come to expect. The review highlights its reliable mix of action, humour and character moments in a lighter post-Infinity War palate cleanser. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/ant-man-and-the-wasp-review/) - **Little White Lies**, Hannah Strong (3/3/3): Peyton Reed excels at comedy thanks to the strong ensemble, especially Paul Rudd and Michael Peña, but the film is hardly gripping with low stakes and too much technobabble. It is fun in the moment but forgettable overall, feeling like filler. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/ant-man-and-the-wasp) - **The New Yorker**, Richard Brody (40/100, inferred): The sequel stays closely tethered to the Marvel series with methodical plot steps that feel like mandatory routines rather than freestyle inventions. It draws its premise from other MCU entries and replaces the first film's loopiness with a dull and dutiful plot. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-front-row/ant-man-and-the-wasp-should-have-been-the-godfather-part-ii-of-superhero-movies) - **Time Out**, Andrew Frisicano (40/100, inferred): The sequel strains to be fun but lacks the first film's helter-skelter irreverence, with too many flat jokes and low-stakes villains. It feels like all in pursuit of an MCU masterplan rather than a memorable standalone adventure. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/ant-man-and-the-wasp) - **Polygon** (85/100, inferred): Ant-Man and the Wasp is the funniest and slickest Marvel movie yet, excelling as a sci-fi action comedy with inventive shrinking gags and strong ensemble dynamics. It balances light emotional threads with absurd humor without the tonal issues of the first film. [Read](https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/27/17508562/ant-man-and-the-wasp-review-paul-rudd-evangeline-lilly) - **The Playlist**, Rodrigo Perez (B+): The critic finds it a delightful, charming small-scale Marvel adventure that improves on the original, with strong emphasis on family themes and humor, though plotting can be disorderly. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/ant-man-wasp-review-20180627/) - **The Wrap** (80/100, inferred): The critic views the film as the MCU at its zippiest and silliest, a breezy and fun sequel that serves as light relief after heavier entries. They single out the visually trippy sub-atomic sequences and the cast's game handling of the wacky antics and familial moments for praise. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/ant-man-and-the-wasp-film-review-paul-rudd-michelle-pfeiffer-mcu/) - **Collider**, Matt Goldberg (B): The film is a lightweight, low-stakes caper that embraces its own goofiness without taking itself seriously. It succeeds as a fun, charming MCU entry focused on family bonds and inventive shrinking antics rather than world-ending threats. [Read](https://collider.com/ant-man-and-the-wasp-review/) - **/Film**, Josh Spiegel (7.5/10): The critic praises it as a fun, funny, low-key palate cleanser with light tone and humor, better than the first, but notes lack of Michelle Pfeiffer and a forgettable antagonist. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/559219/ant-man-and-the-wasp-review/) - **Den of Geek**, David Crow (2.5/5): The critic views it as a blandly innocuous and generic sequel that follows Marvel's assembly-line formula competently but lacks flair or strong laughs. Paul Rudd's affability and Michael Peña's comic relief provide the main highlights. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/ant-man-and-the-wasp-review/) ## Details - **Director:** Peyton Reed - **Director:** Peyton Reed - **Screenplay:** Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Andrew Barrer, Gabriel Ferrari, Paul Rudd - **Cinematography:** Dante Spinotti - **Editor:** Dan Lebental, Craig Wood - **Music:** Christophe Beck - **Production design:** Shepherd Frankel - **Costume design:** Louise Frogley - **Producer:** Kevin Feige, Stephen Broussard - **Cast:** Paul Rudd as Scott Lang / Ant-Man; Evangeline Lilly as Hope Van Dyne / Wasp; Michael Douglas as Dr. Hank Pym; Hannah John-Kamen as Ava / Ghost; Randall Park as Jimmy Woo; Michelle Pfeiffer as Janet Van Dyne / Wasp; Laurence Fishburne as Dr. Bill Foster; Michael Peña as Luis - **Runtime:** 1h 59m - **Certificate (MPA):** PG-13 - **Release (the US):** 6 July 2018 - **Genres:** Action, Adventure, Science Fiction - **Budget:** $140 million - **Box office:** $623 million - **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUkn-enk2RU ## Where to watch in the US - Disney+: streaming, uhd - Apple TV: rent $3.99, hd - Amazon Prime Video: rent $3.99, uhd - Apple TV: buy $19.99, hd - Amazon Prime Video: buy $19.99, uhd *Checked 2026-09-19.* Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, IE, IL, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, TR, UA, US, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country. ## If you liked this - *Ant-Man* (2015), Fi1m 67: The first one, with a heist to plan and a better reason for shrinking. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/ant-man.md) - *The Incredible Shrinking Man* (1957): A cat, a spider and a cellar; the small-man film that still frightens. - *Honey, I Shrunk the Kids* (1989): The back garden as jungle, and a scorpion we have never quite forgiven. - *Fantastic Voyage* (1966): A submarine crew shrunk and injected into a scientist; dated, daft and lovely to look at. - *Paddington 2* (2017), Fi1m 91: A caper with real jokes, a villain who is enjoying himself, and a proper heart. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/paddington-2.md) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/ant-man-and-the-wasp