View source for Watchmen (2009 film)

{{Short description|2009 film by Zack Snyder}}
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{{Use American English|date=November 2024}}
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{{Infobox film
| image          = Watchmen film poster.jpg
| alt            = A rainy New York City. Six people, five men and one woman, stand there, all but one: a masked man in hat and trench coat, staring at the viewer, a muscular, nude and glowing blue man, a blonde man in a spandex armor, a man in an armor with a cape and wearing a helmet resembling an owl, a woman in a yellow and black latex suit, and a mustached man in a leather vest who smokes a cigar and holds a pistol. Text at the top of the image includes "From the visionary director of 300". Text at the bottom of the poster reveals the title, production credits, and release date.
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Zack Snyder]]
| screenplay     = {{Plainlist|
* [[David Hayter]]
* [[Alex Tse]]
}}
| based_on       = {{Based on|''[[Watchmen]]''|[[Dave Gibbons]]}}{{efn|The graphic novel's author and co-creator, [[Alan Moore]], personally chose to remove his name from the credits, presumably due to his dissatisfaction with [[Warner Bros.]] and [[DC Comics]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Perez |first=Rodrigo |title=Alan Moore Removes His Name From 'Watchmen' Credits, Abdicates All Royalty Checks To Artist Dave Gibbons |url=https://theplaylist.net/alan-moore-removes-his-name-fro-20080721/ |website=The Playlist |access-date=8 April 2022 |date=21 July 2008}}</ref>}}
| producer       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Lawrence Gordon (producer)|Lawrence Gordon]]
* [[Lloyd Levin]]
* [[Deborah Snyder]]
}}
| starring       = {{Plainlist|
<!-- Per billing block -->
* [[Malin Åkerman]]
* [[Billy Crudup]]
* [[Matthew Goode]]
* [[Carla Gugino]]
* [[Jackie Earle Haley]]
* [[Jeffrey Dean Morgan]]
* [[Patrick Wilson]]
}}
| cinematography = [[Larry Fong]]
| editing        = [[William Hoy (film editor)|William Hoy]]
| music          = [[Tyler Bates]]
| production_companies = {{Plainlist|
* [[Warner Bros. Pictures]]<ref name="afi">{{cite web |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/65027-WATCHMEN |title=Watchmen |work=[[AFI Catalog of Feature Films]] |access-date=December 23, 2020 |archive-date=December 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223161159/https://catalog.afi.com/Film/65027-WATCHMEN |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Paramount Pictures]]<ref name="afi"/>
* [[Legendary Pictures]]<ref name="WatchmenNumbers">{{cite web |title=Watchmen (2009) - Financial Information |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Watchmen#tab=summary |website=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]] |access-date=November 6, 2018 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174213/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Watchmen#tab=summary |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[DC Entertainment]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Watchmen |url=https://www.dc.com/movies/watchmen-2009 |website=[[DC Entertainment]] |date=February 3, 2012 |access-date=25 December 2022}}</ref>
* Lawrence Gordon/Lloyd Levin Productions<ref name="hrreview"/>
* [[Cruel and Unusual Films]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Motion Pictures [ARCHIVED] |url=http://www.cruelfilms.com/page3.html |website=[[Cruel and Unusual Films]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219232943/http://www.cruelfilms.com/page3.html |access-date=25 December 2022|archive-date=December 19, 2014 }}</ref>
}}
| distributor    = {{Plainlist|
* Warner Bros. Pictures<br />(North America)
* Paramount Pictures<br />(International)
}}
| released       = {{Film date|2009|02|23|[[Odeon Leicester Square]]|2009|03|06|United States}}<!--- Per [[WP:FILMRELEASE]] -->
| runtime        = 163 minutes<ref name="afi" /><!-- only the theatrical release info goes in the infobox -->
| country        = United States<ref name="afi" />
| language       = English
| budget         = $130–150 million{{efn|Attributed to multiple sources.<ref name="Mojo" /><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/date-set-watchmen-mediation-82662|title=Date set for 'Watchmen' mediation|last=Belloni|first=Matthew|date=20 April 2009|access-date=22 March 2018|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174206/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/date-set-watchmen-mediation-82662|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K86WBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT127|last=Hoberek|first=Andrew|title=Considering Watchmen: Poetics, Property, Politics|date=2014|page=127|publisher=Rutgers University Press|isbn=9780813572963|access-date=October 3, 2020|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174232/https://books.google.com/books?id=K86WBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT127|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Lane|title=So Is Watchmen a Hit or Not? |work=Vulture |date=March 9, 2009|access-date=July 17, 2023 |url= https://www.vulture.com/2009/03/watchmens_nearly_as_disappoint.html}}</ref>}}
| gross          = $187 million<ref name="WatchmenNumbers" /><ref name="Mojo">{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=watchmen.htm |title=Watchmen (2009) |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-date=July 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710040606/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=watchmen.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

'''''Watchmen''''' is a 2009 American [[superhero film]] based on the 1986–1987 [[DC Comics]] limited series [[Watchmen|of the same name]] co-created and illustrated by [[Dave Gibbons]] (with co-creator and author [[Alan Moore]] choosing to remain uncredited).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-24 |title=Watchmen Creator Alan Moore Has Surprising Advice For Writers |url=https://screenrant.com/watchmen-creator-alan-moore-surprising-advice-for-writers/ |access-date=2022-07-06 |website=ScreenRant |language=en-US}}</ref> Directed by [[Zack Snyder]] from a screenplay by [[David Hayter]] and [[Alex Tse]], the film features [[Malin Åkerman]], [[Billy Crudup]], [[Matthew Goode]], [[Carla Gugino]], [[Jackie Earle Haley]], [[Jeffrey Dean Morgan]], and [[Patrick Wilson]]. A dark and [[dystopian]] deconstruction of the superhero genre, the film is set in an [[alternate history]] in the year 1985 at the height of the [[Cold War]], as a group of mostly retired American [[superheroes]] investigate the murder of one of their own before uncovering an elaborate and deadly conspiracy with which they are all connected.

For nearly two decades from October 1987 until October 2005, a [[live-action film]] adaptation of the ''Watchmen'' series became stranded in [[development hell]]. Producers [[Lawrence Gordon (producer)|Lawrence Gordon]] and [[Joel Silver]] began developing the project at [[20th Century Fox]], later moving it to [[Warner Bros. Pictures]], the sister company of ''Watchmen'' publisher DC Comics, and hiring director [[Terry Gilliam]], who eventually left the production and deemed the complex comic "[[unfilmable]]". During the 2000s, Gordon and [[Lloyd Levin]] collaborated with [[Universal Pictures]], [[Revolution Studios]] and [[Paramount Pictures]] to produce the film. Directors [[David Hayter]], [[Darren Aronofsky]], and [[Paul Greengrass]] were attached to the project before it was canceled over budget disputes. In October 2005, the project returned to Warner Bros., where Snyder was hired to direct. Paramount remained as its international distributor, whereas Warner Bros. would distribute the film in the United States. However, Fox sued Warner Bros. for copyright violation arising from Gordon's failure to pay a buy-out in 1991, which enabled him to develop the film at the other studios. Fox and Warner Bros. settled this before the film's release, with Fox receiving a portion of the gross. [[Principal photography]] began in [[Vancouver]], in September 2007. As with his previous film ''[[300 (film)|300]]'' (2006), Snyder closely modeled his [[storyboards]] on the comic but chose not to shoot all of ''Watchmen'' using [[chroma key|green screens]] and opted for real sets instead.

Following its world premiere at [[Odeon Leicester Square]] on February 23, 2009,<ref>{{cite news|last=Hardie|first=Beth|title=Watchmen premiere: The stars come out in London – video and pics|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/watchmen-premiere-the-stars-come-out-379010|newspaper=[[Daily Mirror]]|access-date=May 22, 2014|date=February 24, 2009|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174157/https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/watchmen-premiere-the-stars-come-out-379010|url-status=live}}</ref> the film was released in both conventional and [[IMAX]] theatres on March 6, 2009. The film underperformed at the box office, grossing over $185.4 million worldwide against a production budget between $130–138 million; however, the film later found financial success at the home media markets.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Watchmen#tab=summary | title=Watchmen (2009) - Financial Information }}</ref> Greg Silverman (former Warner Bros executive) said that the film did later become profitable.<ref name="twitter.com">{{Cite web | url=https://twitter.com/gregsilverman/status/1686034340323667968 | title=Greg Silverman on X | website=twitter.com | date=2023-07-31}}</ref>

The film received mixed to positive reviews from fans and critics; the style was praised, but Snyder was accused of making an action film that lacked the thematic depth and nuance of the comic.<ref name=independent>{{cite news|last=Shepard|first=Jack|title=Watchmen at 10: The fascinating story of how the 'unfilmable' comic book series finally made it to the big screen|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/watchmen-10-anniversary-zack-snyder-terry-gilliam-darren-aronofsky-paul-greengrass-a8792791.html|website=[[The Independent|Independent]]|access-date=February 23, 2019|date=February 23, 2019|archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174200/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/watchmen-10-anniversary-zack-snyder-terry-gilliam-darren-aronofsky-paul-greengrass-a8792791.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Over the years, it had gained a [[cult following]]. A [[DVD]] based on elements of the ''Watchmen'' universe was released, including an animated adaptation of the ''Tales of the Black Freighter'' [[Story within a story|comic within the story]] voiced by [[Gerard Butler]] and a [[Mockumentary|fictional documentary]] titled ''Under the Hood'' detailing the older generation of superheroes from the film's backstory.<ref name="uth">{{cite news |last=Thill |first=Scott |title=Watchmen Back Story Unspools in Under the Hood DVD |url=https://www.wired.com/underwire/2009/03/watchmen-backst/ |work=Wired.com|access-date=July 9, 2010|date=March 23, 2009|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174158/https://www.wired.com/2009/03/watchmen-backst/|url-status=live}}</ref> A director's cut with 24 minutes of additional footage was released in July 2009. The "Ultimate Cut" edition incorporated the animated comic ''Tales of the Black Freighter'' into the narrative as it was in the original graphic novel, lengthening the runtime to 3 hours and 35 minutes, and was released on November 10, 2009. The director's cut was better received than the theatrical release.<ref name="independent" />

== Plot ==
In 1985, a man living in a [[Manhattan]] apartment watches news about escalating [[Cold War]] tensions and the response from five-term President [[Richard Nixon]] when an unknown assailant attacks and hurls him to the street below. Throughout the opening credits, a montage reviews the rise of costumed crime-fighters from 1939 to 1977, culminating in public backlash and the passage of an anti-vigilante act.

[[Rorschach (character)|Rorschach]], a vigilante detective who operates illegally, discovers that the dead man was Edward Blake, better known as "the [[Comedian (character)|Comedian]]", a costumed hero who worked for the government. Suspecting that other vigilantes could be attacked, Rorschach warns members of his former team, the Watchmen.<ref>{{Cite news|last=McMillan|first=Graeme|date=November 14, 2008|title=Who Names The Watchmen?|url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/5087386/who-names-the-watchmen|url-status=live|department=[[io9]] (Movies)|work=[[Gizmodo]]|publisher=[[Gizmodo Media Group]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820042957/https://io9.gizmodo.com/5087386/who-names-the-watchmen|archive-date=August 20, 2018|access-date=August 19, 2018|quote=<!--punctuation and capitalization slightly modified from original-->As those who've read the original series know, neither of the story's two superteams are actually called 'the Watchmen'—There are the original Minutemen, and then the more modern Crimebusters—[s]o why is someone in the trailer telling the audience that 'the Watchmen are... over'?}}</ref> Rorschach's former partner [[Nite Owl|Dan Dreiberg]] believes he is paranoid but relays his concerns to [[Adrian Veidt]], a crime-fighter turned businessman. Rorschach later visits [[Doctor Manhattan]], a physicist whose accidental superpowers make him a national security asset, but Manhattan is preoccupied with energy research and ignores him.

At Blake's funeral, Manhattan, Veidt and Dreiberg each recall the Comedian's pessimism in his later years about the Watchmen's<!-- see above --> mission. After the service, a lone mourner pays his respects. Rorschach tracks down and questions the mourner, former supervillain Edgar Jacobi. Jacobi says that Blake had recently broken into his apartment while he was sleeping — tearful, unmasked, and incoherent. Rorschach is astonished but doubts that Jacobi would tell a lie so bizarre. During a press interview with Doctor Manhattan, an investigative journalist tells him that several people who had been in contact with Manhattan have developed cancer, including his former girlfriend. As other reporters mob Manhattan with questions, he snaps and exiles himself to [[Mars]]. Alone, Manhattan reflects on his existence and his regrets at being turned into a weapon. In his absence, the [[Warsaw Pact]] countries make aggressive moves, and Nixon prepares for war.

Veidt survives an assassination attempt, suggesting that Rorschach's "mask-killer" theory is correct. Dreiberg takes in [[Silk Spectre|Laurie Jupiter]], a second-generation vigilante and estranged lover of Manhattan, to whom Dreiberg is attracted. Rorschach's investigation of the assassin leads him back to Jacobi. Rorschach finds Jacobi dead and himself framed for Jacobi's murder. After a battle with police, Rorschach is arrested and unmasked as a low-born vagrant. In prison, Rorschach defends his vigilantism to a psychiatrist, saying he cannot ignore evil and the people who cause it. Dreiberg and Jupiter, after donning their costumes and saving multiple people from a burning building, make love. Imprisoned crime boss Big Figure stages a riot as a cover for assassinating Rorschach.  The attack fails, and Rorschach kills Big Figure and his accomplices before leaving the prison with Dreiberg and Jupiter, who have arrived to break him out.

Manhattan teleports Jupiter to Mars while Dreiberg joins Rorschach's investigation of the Blake murder. Evidence points them to Veidt as the mastermind; they find him at an Antarctic hideout, where he has just overseen the activation of Doctor Manhattan's energy reactors in [[New York City]] and other locations across the planet. On Mars, Jupiter tries to convince Manhattan that humanity is worth saving. She succeeds only when he learns that Jupiter is Blake's illegitimate daughter, a fact so unlikely (as Blake had once tried to rape Jupiter's mother) that it restores his respect for life.

Veidt admits orchestrating Manhattan's exile, staging the assassination, framing Rorschach, and killing Blake, who was spying on his activities. He has also executed the final step of his plan: turning the world against Manhattan by rigging his reactors to explode, killing 15 million people. Manhattan returns with Jupiter to a devastated New York, pieces together what has happened, and teleports to Veidt's hideout. After a brief struggle, Veidt shows him that the world's countries have put aside their rivalries to focus on a common enemy: Doctor Manhattan.

Realizing the logic of Veidt's plan, the Watchmen<!-- see above --> agree to keep his secret, except for Rorschach, whom Manhattan reluctantly kills to preserve the new global peace. Manhattan departs permanently for another galaxy while Dreiberg rebukes Veidt's moral sacrifice, and Jupiter finally comes to terms with her parentage. A New York tabloid editor, disgusted that there is no war to report on, tells a staff member to choose something to publish from a pile of reader submissions that contains Rorschach's journal.

== Cast and characters ==
{{See also|List of Watchmen characters}}
[[File:Watchmen cast.png|325px|thumbnail|right|The main cast of ''Watchmen'' (from left to right): The Comedian, Silk Spectre II, Doctor Manhattan, Ozymandias, Nite Owl II, and Rorschach]]
Production for ''Watchmen'' began casting in July 2007 for look-alikes of the era's famous names for the film—something director [[Zack Snyder]] declared would give the film a "satirical quality" and "create this '80s vibe."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.mtv.com/news/movies//2009/03/02/lee-iacocca-is-alive-and-well-and-not-looking-forward-to-watchmen-movie/|title=Lee Iacocca Is Alive and Well&nbsp;— And Not Looking Forward to ''Watchmen'' Movie|first=Larry|last=Carroll|publisher=MTV|date=March 2, 2009 |access-date=June 18, 2009|archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174159/http://www.mtv.com/news/movies//2009/03/02/lee-iacocca-is-alive-and-well-and-not-looking-forward-to-watchmen-movie/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=21712|title=Look-Alikes Being Cast for ''Watchmen''|work=ComingSoon.net|date=July 3, 2007|access-date=July 3, 2007|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174225/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/21712-look-alikes-being-cast-for-watchmen|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Larry |first=Carroll |title='Watchmen' Set Visit: Zack Snyder's Enthusiasm, The Owl Ship And ... The Village People? |work=[[MTV]] |date=November 14, 2008 |url=http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1599400/story.jhtml |access-date=November 15, 2008|archive-date=March 7, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307015455/http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1599400/story.jhtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> Snyder said he wanted younger actors because of the many flashback scenes, and it was easier to age actors with make-up rather than cast two actors in the same role.<ref name="snydercon07">{{Cite news |last=Douglas |first=Edward |title=Zack Snyder Talks ''Watchmen''! |work=Comingsoon.net |date=July 27, 2007 |url=https://www.superherohype.com/features/94489-zack-snyder-talks-watchmen-3 |access-date=July 27, 2007 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174200/https://www.superherohype.com/features/94489-zack-snyder-talks-watchmen-3 |url-status=live }}</ref> Snyder's son appears as a young Rorschach,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Franklin |first=Garth |title= Dark Horizons {{!}} Special Feature: Zack Snyder on Watchmen |date= 2008 |url= http://www.darkhorizons.com/news08/081107k.php |archive-url= http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20091008005621/http://www.darkhorizons.com/news08/081107k.php |url-status= dead |archive-date= October 8, 2009 |access-date= November 8, 2008 }}</ref> while the director himself appears as an American soldier in Vietnam.<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.slashfilm.com/2009/02/09/first-look-zack-snyders-watchmen-cameo/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120530164619/http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/02/09/first-look-zack-snyders-watchmen-cameo |url-status=dead|archive-date=May 30, 2012 |title= Photo: Zack Snyder's Watchmen Cameo |last=Sciretta |first=Peter |work=/Film |date=February 9, 2009 |access-date= February 9, 2009}}</ref> Actor [[Thomas Jane]] was invited by Snyder, but declined to work in the film due to being too busy.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://fanboyradio.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=237976 |title= Fanboy Radio #405 - Thomas Jane Returns LIVE |publisher= Fanboy Radio |date= July 27, 2007 |access-date= August 11, 2009 |archive-date= January 22, 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090122051929/http://fanboyradio.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=237976 |url-status= live }}</ref>

=== The Watchmen/The Crimebusters ===
<!-- Order per billing block -->
* [[Malin Åkerman]] as [[Silk Spectre#Laurie Juspeczyk|Laurie Jupiter / Silk Spectre II]]: <br /> Åkerman described her character as a [[femme fatale]] as well as carrying the psychology and the emotion of the film. The actress worked out and trained to fight for her portrayal of the crime-fighter.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Newgen |first=Heather |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=37849 |title=Malin Åkerman Talks ''Watchmen'' |work=ComingSoon.net |date=September 29, 2007 |access-date=September 29, 2007 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174224/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/37849-malin-akerman-talks-watchmen |url-status=live }}</ref> In earlier attempts to make the film, [[Hilary Swank]], [[Natalie Portman]], [[Rachel Weisz]], [[Jennifer Connelly]], and [[Jessica Alba]] were considered for the part of Laurie. According to ''[[Comic Book Resources]]'', her characterisation (along with Nite Owl's) was changed from the original comics' model of gentle [[Golden Age of Comic Books|golden age]] heroes to one of a brutal fighter.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rion |first=Frederick |date=2024-03-25 |title=10 Most Important Scenes Zack Snyder's Watchmen Left Out |url=https://www.cbr.com/omitted-scenes-zack-snyder-watchmen/ |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en}}</ref>
** Haley Guiel as Young Laurie Jupiter
* [[Billy Crudup]] as [[Doctor Manhattan|Jon Osterman / Doctor Manhattan]]: <br /> The only member of the group with genuine superpowers, Doctor Manhattan is virtually omnipotent and works for the U.S. government. He is a scientist who suffered an accident during 1959, giving him superhuman powers. Crudup plays Osterman in flashbacks as a human and is replaced for his post-accident scenes with a motion-capture CG version of himself. During filming, Crudup acted opposite his co-stars, wearing a white suit covered in blue LEDs, so he would give off an otherworldly glow in real life, just as the [[computer graphics|computer-generated]] Manhattan does in the movie. His body was modeled on that of fitness model and actor [[Greg Plitt]]. The crew then 3D-digitized Crudup's head and "frankensteined it onto Greg Plitt's body."<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4307537.html |title=The Making of Watchmen's Dr. Manhattan |work=[[Popular Mechanics]] |last=McCarthy |first=Erin |date=March 9, 2009 |access-date=April 5, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410043102/http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4307537.html |archive-date=April 10, 2009}}</ref> Snyder chose not to electronically alter Crudup's voice for Manhattan, explaining the character "would try and put everyone as much at ease as he could, instead of having a robotic voice that I think would feel off-putting."<ref name=calming>{{Cite news|title=New Watchmen Footage Raises New Questions |last=Leupp |first=Thomas|work=[[ReelzChannel]]|date=October 7, 2008|url=https://www.reelz.com/article/729/new-watchmen-footage-raises-new-questions|access-date=October 7, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010170202/http://www.reelzchannel.com/article/729/new-watchmen-footage-raises-new-questions|archive-date=October 10, 2008}}</ref> [[Keanu Reeves]] was also offered the role. Reeves was interested in the role but he ultimately passed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/2429889/keanu-reeves-says-he-turned-down-watchmen-and-speed-racer-roles/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305090616/http://www.mtv.com/news/2429889/keanu-reeves-says-he-turned-down-watchmen-and-speed-racer-roles/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 5, 2016|title = Keanu Reeves Says He Turned Down 'Watchmen' and 'Speed Racer' Roles|website = [[MTV]]}}</ref>
** Jaryd Heidrick as Young Jon Osterman
* [[Matthew Goode]] as [[Ozymandias (Watchmen)|Adrian Veidt / Ozymandias]]: <br /> A retired superhero who has since made his identity public. At first Snyder wanted [[Jude Law]] (a big fan of the character) for the part, but said that Goode was "big and tall and lean," which aided in bringing "this beautiful ageless, [[Germans|German]] superman" feel to the character.<ref name="empire" /> Goode interpreted Veidt's back-story to portray him with a German accent in private and an American one in public; Goode explained Veidt gave up his family's wealth and traveled the world, becoming a [[self-made man]] because he was ashamed of his parents' [[Nazi]] past, which in turn highlighted the themes of the [[American Dream]] and the character's duality.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Capone Interviews Ozymandias! Matthew Goode Talks ''Brideshead Revisited'' and ''Watchmen''!|work=[[Ain't It Cool News]]|date=July 21, 2008|url=https://www.aintitcool.com/node/37561|access-date=July 22, 2008|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174204/http://legacy.aintitcool.com/node/37561|url-status=live}}</ref> Snyder said Goode "fit the bill... We were having a hard time casting [the role], because we needed someone handsome, beautiful and sophisticated, and that's a tough combo."<ref name=newsday>{{Cite news|last1=Lovece|first1= Frank |url=https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/movies/ny-ffmov6050365mar01a,0,7648380.story |title='300' director Zack Snyder is 'Watchmen' hero|work=[[Newsday]]|date=March 1, 2009|access-date=August 12, 2009|author-link=Frank Lovece|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303221529/http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/movies/ny-ffmov6050365mar01a%2C0%2C7648380.story |archive-date=March 3, 2009 }}</ref> [[Tom Cruise]] was also interested in the part, and met with Snyder.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Billington |first=Alex |title=Watchmen Narrowly Misses Tom Cruise |work=FirstShowing.net |date=March 2, 2007 |url=https://www.firstshowing.net/2007/watchmen-narrowly-misses-tom-cruise/ |access-date=December 9, 2007 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174204/https://www.firstshowing.net/2007/watchmen-narrowly-misses-tom-cruise/ |url-status=live }}</ref> However, Snyder revealed in 2024 that Cruise was more interested in the role of Rorschach, which had already been cast.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zalben |first=Alex |date=2024-04-21 |title=Tom Cruise Wanted To Be Rorschach In Watchmen |url=https://comicbookclublive.com/2024/04/21/tom-cruise-rorschach-watchmen-zack-snyder/ |access-date=2024-04-21 |website=Comic Book Club |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Jackie Earle Haley]] as [[Rorschach (character)|Walter Kovacs / Rorschach]]: <br /> A 45-year-old masked vigilante who continues his extralegal activities after they are outlawed. He takes his name from the [[Rorschach test]], as the shifting black-and-white patterns on his mask resemble its inkblots.<ref name="power">{{Cite news |last=Kit |first=Borys |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ie88dcf13294612e0d5010ddce2a351f1 |title=''Watchmen'' powering up with castings|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=July 26, 2007 |access-date=December 23, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070801092607/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ie88dcf13294612e0d5010ddce2a351f1 |archive-date = August 1, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Unlike the other principal actors, Haley had read the comic as a young adult and was keen to pursue the role when he heard he had become a favorite candidate among fans.<ref name="empire">{{Cite news |last=Hewitt |first= Chris|title=Under the Hood|work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|date=March 2009|pages=76–85}}</ref> Rorschach wears a mask with ink blots: [[motion capture]] markers were put on the contours of Haley's blank mask for animators to create his ever-changing expressions.<ref name="fanqaa" /> Haley has a [[black belt (martial arts)|black belt]] in [[kenpō]] but described Rorschach's attack patterns as sloppier and more aggressive due to the character's boxing background.<ref name="tf">{{Cite news |last=Crocker |first=Jonathan |title=Hero Complex |work=[[Total Film]] |date=February 2009 |pages=52–59 }}</ref> Rorschach appears several times in the movie without his mask before he is apprehended, carrying a placard sign proclaiming, "The End is Nigh", but not until he is unmasked by the police is it made apparent that the sign bearer is Rorschach. Haley said that upon hearing of the casting of Rorschach, he actively sought the role. His agent came up with the idea that they should do a shoestring-budgeted audition tape of Haley wearing his own "little cheesy [[Halloween]]" Rorschach outfit. The entire audition was shot in the living room and kitchen of Haley's house. The tape was then sent to the film production crew, where Snyder watched it. After viewing the tape, Snyder cast Haley in the role of Rorschach, saying, "Very low-tech but awesomely acted. Clearly there was no other Rorschach."<ref>{{cite news |last=Sacks |first=Ethan |title=Actor Jackie Earle Haley can't mask his happiness at getting cast as Rorschach in ''Watchmen''|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]|date=March 5, 2009 |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/actor-jackie-earle-haley-mask-happiness-cast-rorschach-watchmen-article-1.366742|access-date=March 24, 2013|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174225/https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/actor-jackie-earle-haley-mask-happiness-cast-rorschach-watchmen-article-1.366742|url-status=live}}</ref>
** Eli Snyder, director Zack Snyder's son, as Young Walter Kovacs<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/rumo-zack-snyders-son-will-play-robin-in-batman-v-superman-dawn/ | title=Rumor: Zack Snyder's Son Will Play Robin In Batman v. Superman: Dawn Of Justice | website=comicbook.com | first=Jamie | last=Lovett | date=2015-07-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.cbr.com/is-zack-snyders-son-playing-robin-in-batman-v-superman/ | title=Is Zack Snyder's Son Playing Robin In "Batman V Superman"? | website=www.cbr.com | first=Brett | last=White | date=2015-07-23}}</ref>
* [[Patrick Wilson]] as [[Nite Owl#Daniel Dreiberg|Daniel Dreiberg / Nite Owl II]]: <br /> A 40-year-old retired superhero with technological expertise.<ref name="power"/> Snyder cast Wilson after watching 2006's ''[[Little Children (film)|Little Children]]'', which also costars Haley. Wilson put on {{Convert|25|lb|}} to play the overweight Dreiberg.<ref name="empire" /> He compared Dreiberg to a soldier who returns from war unable to fit into society.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/953/953287p1.html|title=The Characters of Watchmen |last=Crocker |first=Jonathan|work=[[IGN]]|date=February 11, 2009|access-date=February 12, 2009|archive-date=February 14, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214194825/http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/953/953287p1.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> During several attempts to get ''Watchmen'' adapted as a film, [[Kevin Costner]], [[Christopher Walken]], and [[Richard Gere]] were each considered for the part. [[John Cusack]], who is an admitted fan of the graphic novel, expressed great interest in playing the role.<ref>{{cite news | author=Shawn Adler | url=http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1562299/story.jhtml | title=John Cusack Calls Hilary Duff 'A Revelation'; Has His Eye On ''Watchmen'' | publisher=[[MTV]] | date=2007-06-13 | access-date=2008-02-20 | archive-date=March 10, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310154744/http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1562299/story.jhtml | url-status=dead }}</ref> His character in the film is more brutal than in the original comic.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Richard von Busack |title=Movie Reviews & Film Showtimes {{!}} 'Watchmen' |url=https://www.goodtimes.sc/archives/metro-santa-cruz/03.11.09/filmlead-0910.html |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=[[Good Times (newspaper)|Good Times]] |quote=But Nite Owl should have been the kind of character who disables villains long enough to subdue them, not the kind that cripples them for life.}}</ref>

=== The Minutemen ===
{{See also|List of Watchmen characters#Minutemen}}
* [[Carla Gugino]] as Sally Jupiter / Silk Spectre: <br /> A retired superheroine, mother of Laurie Juspeczyk and the first Silk Spectre. Gugino's character ages from 25 years old in the 1940s to 67 years old in the 1980s, and the then-37-year-old actress wore prosthetics to reflect the aging process. Gugino described her character's superhero outfit as "[[Bettie Page]] meets [[Alberto Vargas]]." In earlier attempts to make the film, [[Liv Tyler]], [[Jamie Lee Curtis]], [[Ann-Margret]], [[Catherine Zeta-Jones]], and [[Sigourney Weaver]] were considered for the part of Sally.
* [[Jeffrey Dean Morgan]] as [[Comedian (character)|Edward Blake / The Comedian]]: <br /> A superhero and a former member of the Minutemen who is commissioned by the U.S. government as a black-ops specialist. When reading the comic for the part, Morgan stopped when he saw his character was killed off three pages in. When telling his agent he did not want the part, he was told to continue reading it and find out how important his character was.<ref name="empire"/> Morgan found the role a challenge, explaining, "For some reason, in reading the novel, you don't hate this guy even though he does things that are unmentionable [like beat up and sexually assault Jupiter]. [...] My job is to kind of make that translate, so as a viewer you end up not making excuses to like him, but you don't hate him like you should for doing the things that he does."<ref name="morganandbutler">{{Cite news |last=Newgen |first=Heather|title=Morgan and Butler Talk ''Watchmen''|work=[[Superhero Hype!]]|date=December 8, 2007|url=https://www.superherohype.com/features/95399-excl-morgan-and-butler-talk-watchmen|access-date=December 9, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071209213845/http://www.superherohype.com/news.php?id=6586 |archive-date = December 9, 2007}}</ref> Of his casting, Snyder said, "It's hard to find a man's man in Hollywood. It just is. And Jeffrey came in and was grumpy and cool and grizzled, and I was, like, 'OK, Jeffrey is perfect!'"<ref name="newsday" />
* [[Stephen McHattie]] as Hollis Mason / Nite Owl: <br /> A retired former member and the first Nite Owl, Mason now owns and lives over an auto shop.
** Clint Carleton as Young Hollis Mason
* [[Dan Payne]] as William Brady / Dollar Bill: <br /> A deceased member, Brady was a bank-sponsored member of The Minutemen who was created for publicity purposes. He dies during a bank robbery in 1947 when his cape is caught in the bank's revolving doors, allowing the robbers to shoot him at point-blank range.
* [[Niall Matter]] as Byron Lewis / Mothman: <br /> A former member, Lewis had a privileged upbringing and sought to help the less fortunate and fight oppression and corruption as a crime fighter. To this end, Lewis created a costume with special wings that helped him glide. His mental stability ultimately deteriorated after he was called before HUAC, leading to him being forcibly brought to a mental asylum.
* Apollonia Vanova as Ursula Zandt / The Silhouette: <br /> Deceased. A gun-toting vigilante, motivated by the deaths of her parents and sister at the hands of the [[Nazi Germany|Nazis]] in their native [[Austria]]. Zandt is killed along with her lesbian lover in what is implied to be a hate crime.
* Glenn Ennis as Hooded Justice: <br /> A deceased former member, H.J. was a violent vigilante who was trained in hand-to-hand combat.
* Darryl Scheelar as Nelson Gardner / Captain Metropolis: <br /> A former [[United States Marine Corps|Marine]] Lieutenant, he was one of the more active members of the Minutemen, having organized its formation. He died in a car accident in 1974 which decapitated him, though it is believed by some to be a form of suicide.

=== Other characters ===
* [[Matt Frewer]] as [[Moloch (comics)|Edgar Jacobi / Moloch]]: <br /> A former supervillain. Moloch was jailed for a time during the 1970s. He is dying of cancer which he received from Adrian Veidt. Moloch was later murdered by Veidt, who frames Rorschach.
** Mike Carpenter as Young Moloch
* [[Laura Mennell]] as Janey Slater: <br /> A scientist who was Osterman's first girlfriend until he fell for Laurie.
* [[Danny Woodburn]] as Tom Ryan / Big Figure
* [[Robert Wisden]] as [[Richard Nixon]]
* [[Frank Novak]] as [[Henry Kissinger]]
* Gary Houston as [[John McLaughlin (host)|John McLaughlin]]
* Sean Allan and [[Garry Chalk]] as [[North American Aerospace Defense Command|NORAD]] Generals
* [[Michael Kopsa]] as Paul Klein
* [[Chris Gauthier]] as Seymour David

Cameo roles include [[Jay Brazeau]] as a news vendor, [[Mark Acheson]] as a large man at Happy Harry's, [[Leah Gibson]] as Silhouette's girlfriend, [[Alessandro Juliani]] as a Rockefeller Military Base technician, [[Salli Saffioti]] as [[Annie Leibovitz]], and [[Ted Cole]] as [[Dick Cavett]].

== Production ==
{{Main|Production of Watchmen (film)}}

In 1986, producers [[Lawrence Gordon (producer)|Lawrence Gordon]] and [[Joel Silver]] acquired film rights to ''Watchmen'' for [[20th Century Fox]].<ref name="thomson">{{Cite news |last=Thompson |first=Anne|title=Filmmakers intent on producing new comic-book movies|work=[[Sun-Sentinel]]|date=August 26, 1986|author-link=Anne Thompson (film critic)}}</ref> After author [[Alan Moore]] declined to write a screenplay based on his story, Fox enlisted screenwriter [[Sam Hamm]]. Hamm rewrote ''Watchmen''{{'}}s complicated ending, making a "more manageable" conclusion involving an assassination and a time paradox.<ref name="hughes">{{Cite book |last=Hughes |first=David |title=The Greatest Sci-Fi Movies Never Made |publisher=Chicago Review Press; updated and expanded edition Titan Books (2008) |date=April 22, 2002 |isbn=978-1-84576-755-6 |chapter=Who Watches the ''Watchmen''? – How The Greatest Graphic Novel of Them All Confounded Hollywood }}</ref> Fox put the project into [[turnaround (filmmaking)|turnaround]] in 1991,<ref name="turnaround">{{Cite news |last=Cieply |first=Michael |title=Battle Over 'Watchmen' Surrounds a Producer|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=September 20, 2008 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/20/movies/20watc.html?pagewanted=all |access-date=September 20, 2008|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174225/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/20/movies/20watc.html?pagewanted=all|url-status=live}}</ref> and the project was moved to [[Warner Bros. Pictures]], where [[Terry Gilliam]] was attached to direct and [[Charles McKeown]] to rewrite the script. Gilliam and Silver were only able to raise $25 million for the film, a quarter of the necessary budget, because their previous films had gone overbudget.<ref name="hughes"/> Gilliam eventually left ''Watchmen'', describing the comic as "[[unfilmable]]", and Warner Bros. dropped the project.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 13, 2000 |author=Willow Green |title=Python Won't Bite For ''Watchmen'' |work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire Online]] |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/python-wont-bite-watchmen/ |access-date=September 1, 2020 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174206/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/python-wont-bite-watchmen/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Archie (Nite Owl ship).jpg|thumb|Archie, Nite Owl's airship, on display at the 2008 Comic-Con|alt=A ship resembling an owl, with two large eye-like windows and flashlights across the "nose"]]
In October 2001, Gordon partnered with [[Lloyd Levin]] and [[Universal Pictures]], hiring [[David Hayter]] to write and direct.<ref name=watches>{{Cite news|author=Stax|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/10/27/david-hayter-watches-the-watchmen|title=David Hayter Watches ''The Watchmen''|work=[[IGN]]|date=October 27, 2001|access-date=September 23, 2006|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174210/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/10/27/david-hayter-watches-the-watchmen|url-status=live}}</ref> Hayter and the producers left Universal due to creative differences,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kit |first=Borys |url=http://www.thebookstandard.com/bookstandard/news/hollywood/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001700508 |title='Watchmen' on Duty at Warner Bros. |work=The Book Standard |date=December 19, 2005 |access-date=September 25, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060328114516/http://www.thebookstandard.com/bookstandard/news/hollywood/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001700508 |archive-date=March 28, 2006 }}</ref> and Gordon and Levin expressed interest in setting up ''Watchmen'' at [[Revolution Studios]]. The project did not hold together at Revolution Studios and subsequently fell apart.<ref name="revpar">{{cite web |last=Linder |first=Brian |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/07/23/aronofsky-still-watching-watchmen|title=Aronofksy Still Watching ''Watchmen''|website=IGN|date=July 23, 2004|access-date=October 18, 2008|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174234/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/07/23/aronofsky-still-watching-watchmen|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2004, it was announced [[Paramount Pictures]] would produce ''Watchmen'', and [[Michael Bay]] was considered to direct. Eventually, they attached [[Darren Aronofsky]] to direct Hayter's script. Producers Gordon and Levin remained attached, collaborating with Aronofsky's producing partner, Eric Watson.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Borys Kit|url=https://www.allbusiness.com/services/motion-pictures/4916505-1.html|title=''Watchmen'' unmasked for Par, Aronofsky|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=July 23, 2004|access-date=September 23, 2006}}</ref> [[Paul Greengrass]] replaced Aronofsky when he left to focus on ''[[The Fountain]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kit |first1=Borys |first2=Liza |last2=Foreman |url=https://www.allbusiness.com/services/amusement-recreation-services/4748794-1.html|title=Greengrass, Par on ''Watchmen''|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=November 22, 2004|access-date=September 23, 2006}}</ref> Ultimately, Paramount placed ''Watchmen'' in turnaround.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/someone-watch-watchmen/|title=Someone To Watch Over ''Watchmen''|work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire Online]]|date=June 7, 2005|access-date=September 23, 2006|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174209/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/someone-watch-watchmen/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2005, Gordon and Levin met with Warner Bros. once again to develop the project.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Stax|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/10/25/watchmen-resurrected|title=''Watchmen'' Resurrected?|work=[[IGN]]|date=October 25, 2005|access-date=September 23, 2006|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174225/https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/10/25/watchmen-resurrected|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Tim Burton]] at one point expressed interest in directing the film, but ultimately turned it down. Impressed with [[Zack Snyder]]'s work on ''[[300 (film)|300]]'', Warner Bros. approached him to direct an adaptation of ''Watchmen''.<ref name="kickin ass">{{Cite news|author=Robert Sanchez|title=Exclusive Interview: Zack Snyder Is Kickin' Ass With ''300'' and ''Watchmen''!|work=IESB|date=February 13, 2007|url=http://iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1883&Itemid=99|access-date=February 14, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215050330/http://iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1883&Itemid=99|archive-date=February 15, 2009}}</ref> Screenwriter [[Alex Tse]] was hired to rewrite Hayter's script. He drew from his favorite elements of Hayter's script, and returned the story to the original [[Cold War]] setting of the ''Watchmen'' comic, in contrast to Hayter's script, which took place in modern times.<ref>Stax, "[https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/09/09/the-stax-report-script-review-of-watchmen The Stax Report: Script Review of ''Watchmen''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174233/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/09/09/the-stax-report-script-review-of-watchmen |date=November 16, 2020 }}." ''[[IGN]]''. September 9, 2004.</ref><ref>{{Cite news|author=Ellwood, Gregory|url=https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/world-awaits-watchmen-1200339571/|title=World awaits ''Watchmen''|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=July 18, 2006|access-date=September 23, 2006|archive-date=May 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516173112/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117947044|url-status=live}}</ref> Similar to his approach to ''300'', Snyder used the comic book as a [[storyboard]].<ref name="post game">{{Cite news|last=Weiland|first=Jonah|title="300" Post-Game: One-On-One with Zack Snyder|work=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=March 14, 2007|url=https://www.cbr.com/300-post-game-one-on-one-with-zack-snyder/|access-date=March 16, 2007|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174212/https://www.cbr.com/300-post-game-one-on-one-with-zack-snyder/|url-status=live}}</ref> Following negotiations, Paramount, which had already spent $7 million in their failed project, earned the rights for international distribution of ''Watchmen'' and 25% of the film's ownership.<ref name="horn">{{Cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/la-ca-watchmen16-2008nov16,0,4972856,full.story| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081228123457/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/la-ca-watchmen16-2008nov16,0,4972856,full.story| url-status=dead| archive-date=December 28, 2008|title=A super battle over 'Watchmen'|author=John Horn|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=November 16, 2008|access-date=November 17, 2008}}</ref>

The fight scenes were extended,<ref>{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Erik|url=http://www.cinematical.com/2008/10/07/cinematical-watches-the-watchmen/|title=Cinematical Watches The 'Watchmen'|publisher=Cinematical|date=October 7, 2008|access-date=August 12, 2009|archive-date=February 25, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225165952/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/10/07/cinematical-watches-the-watchmen|url-status=live}}</ref> and a subplot about energy resources was added to make the film more topical.<ref name=ewfirstlook>{{Cite magazine|author=Jeff Jensen|title='Watchmen': An Exclusive First Look|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=July 17, 2008|url=https://ew.com/article/2008/07/21/watchmen-exclusive-first-look/|access-date=July 18, 2008|archive-date=January 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107001303/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20213273,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Although he intended to stay faithful to the look of the characters in the comic, Snyder intended Nite Owl to look scarier<ref name="post game"/> and made Ozymandias's armor into a parody of the rubber muscle suits from 1997's ''[[Batman & Robin (film)|Batman & Robin]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Exclusive Zack Snyder Video Interview Backstage at Saturn Awards|work=Collider.com|date=June 26, 2008|url=https://www.collider.com/entertainment/news/article.asp/aid/8331/tcid/1|access-date=June 27, 2008|archive-date=November 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121030239/http://www.collider.com/entertainment/news/article.asp/aid/8331/tcid/1|url-status=live}}</ref> Production took place in [[Vancouver]], where a New York City back lot was built. [[Sound stage]]s were used for apartments and offices,<ref name=prepare>{{Cite news|author=Kiel Phegley|title=Zack Snyder prepares for Watchmen|work=[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]]|date=August 21, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080210171237/http://www.wizarduniverse.com/082107wmen.html|archive-date=February 10, 2008|url=http://www.wizarduniverse.com/082107wmen.html|access-date=February 7, 2008}}</ref> while sequences on [[Mars]] and in [[Antarctica]] were shot against [[Chroma key|green screens]].<ref name="update">{{cite web|author=Jonah Weiland|url=https://www.cbr.com/snyder-gives-a-watchmen-update/|title=Snyder Gives A ''Watchmen'' Update|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=November 9, 2006|access-date=November 9, 2006|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174242/https://www.cbr.com/snyder-gives-a-watchmen-update/|url-status=live}}</ref> Filming started on September 17, 2007,<ref>{{Cite news|author=Eric Vespe|title=Zack Snyder and Quint have a brief conversation about ''Watchmen''! Pirate storyline! Rorschach! More!!!!|publisher=[[Ain't It Cool News]]|date=July 29, 2007|url=https://www.aintitcool.com/node/33491|access-date=July 29, 2007|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174229/http://legacy.aintitcool.com/node/33491|url-status=live}}</ref> and ended on February 19, 2008,<ref>{{Cite news|author=Zack Snyder|title=That's a wrap!|publisher=[[Warner Bros.]]|date=February 19, 2008|url=http://rss.warnerbros.com/watchmen/2008/02/thats_a_wrap.html|access-date=February 24, 2008|author-link=Zack Snyder|archive-date=June 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624015609/http://rss.warnerbros.com/watchmen/2008/02/thats_a_wrap.html|url-status=live}}</ref> on an estimated $120 million budget.<ref name="skulk">{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/01/movies/01itzk.html?_r=1&em=&pagewanted=all|title=Watchmen Skulk to the Screen|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Itzkoff, Dave|date=February 1, 2009|access-date=February 3, 2009|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174210/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/01/movies/01itzk.html?_r=1&em=&pagewanted=all|url-status=live}}</ref> To handle the 1,100 shots featuring visual effects, a quarter of them being [[computer-generated imagery]],<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/deconstructing-watchmen-part-2|title=Deconstructing Watchmen -- Part 2|first=Bill|last=Desowitz|date=March 10, 2009|publisher=[[Animation World Network]]|access-date=April 12, 2010|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174213/https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/deconstructing-watchmen-part-2|url-status=live}}</ref> ten different effects companies were involved with ''Watchmen''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Watchmen|work=[[Cinefex]]|url=https://www.cinefex.com/upcomingfilms/upcoming.php?id=12|access-date=March 15, 2008|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174240/https://www.cinefex.com/upcomingfilms/upcoming.php?id=12|url-status=live}}</ref> While 20th Century Fox filed a lawsuit to block the film's release, the studios eventually settled, and Fox received an upfront payment and a percentage of the worldwide gross from the film and all sequels and spin-offs in return.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://variety.com/2009/film/features/wb-fox-make-deal-for-watchmen-1117998665/|title=WB, Fox make deal for 'Watchmen'|work=Variety|date=January 15, 2009|access-date=March 15, 2009|last=Fleming|first=Michael}}</ref>

[[Dave Gibbons]] became an adviser on Snyder's film, but Moore has refused to have his name attached to any film adaptations of his work.<ref name="Alan Moore - Films">{{cite web|last=MacDonald|first=Heidi|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/print/20050530/29889-moore-leaves-dc-for-top-shelf-.html|title=Moore Leaves DC for Top Shelf|work=[[Publishers Weekly]]|date=May 30, 2005|access-date=August 13, 2009}}</ref> Moore has stated he has no interest in seeing Snyder's adaptation; he told ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' in 2008, "There are things that we did with ''Watchmen'' that could only work in a comic, and were indeed designed to show off things that other media can't."<ref>{{Cite magazine|first=Nisha|last=Gopalan|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20213067_20213068_20213004,00.html|title=Alan Moore Still Knows the Score!|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=July 16, 2008|access-date=July 22, 2008|archive-date=August 28, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828180836/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20213067_20213068_20213004,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> While Moore believes that David Hayter's screenplay was "as close as I could imagine anyone getting to ''Watchmen''," he asserted he did not intend to see the film if it were made.<ref name="history">{{Cite magazine|last1=Jensen|first1=Jeff|url=https://ew.com/books/2005/10/21/watchmen-oral-history/|title=''Watchmen'': An Oral History|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=October 25, 2005|access-date=February 2, 2007|archive-date=March 9, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309093847/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1120854_5,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

With regard to changing the ending to where Dr. Manhattan was fingered as the culprit instead of [[Watchmen#Plot|the squid]], Snyder stated that "we figured it took about 15 minutes to explain [the squid's appearance] correctly; otherwise, it's pretty crazy."<ref name=CarrollSpoilers>{{cite web|last=Carroll|first=Larry|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1605542/zack-snyder-explains-his-key-watchmen-changes-on-spoilers/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201218235630/http://www.mtv.com/news/1605542/zack-snyder-explains-his-key-watchmen-changes-on-spoilers/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 18, 2020|title=Zack Snyder Explains His Key 'Watchmen' Changes On 'Spoilers' |publisher=[[MTV]]|date=2009-02-20|access-date=2020-12-20}}</ref> By omitting the squid Snyder felt that he could give more time to explore and develop the existing characters.<ref name=CarrollSpoilers/> Oscar Gonzalez of [[CNET]] stated that "Because of this change, however, the movie is not canon in regards to the ''Watchmen'' TV series."<ref>{{cite web|last=Gonzalez|first=Oscar|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/watchmen-hbo-101-guide-to-the-comics-behind-the-series/|title=Watchmen 101: Your guide to the comics behind HBO's new series|publisher=[[CNET]]|date=2019-12-27|access-date=2020-12-20}}</ref> Earlier drafts had Veidt die, but Snyder reversed this change.<ref>{{cite web|last=Carroll|first=Larry|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1605378/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201220062553/https://www.mtv.com/news/1605378/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 20, 2020|title='Watchmen' Director's Cut To Hit Theaters In July, Zack Snyder Reveals On MTV 'Spoilers' |publisher=[[MTV]]|date=2009-02-19|access-date=2020-12-20}}</ref>

== Music ==
{{Main|Watchmen: Music from the Motion Picture|Watchmen: Original Motion Picture Score}}
Both a soundtrack and excerpts from [[Tyler Bates]]' [[film score]] were released as albums on March 3, 2009. The soundtrack features three songs written by [[Bob Dylan]]—"[[Desolation Row]]", "[[All Along the Watchtower]]", and "[[The Times They Are a-Changin' (song)|The Times They Are a-Changin']]"—with only the latter performed by Dylan on the soundtrack. It includes some songs mentioned in the comic, such as Simon and Garfunkel's "[[The Sound of Silence]]" and Leonard Cohen's "[[Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen song)|Hallelujah]]". Dylan's "The Times They Are a-Changin'" and "All Along the Watchtower" are also quoted in the graphic novel. Music by [[Philip Glass]] from ''[[Koyaanisqatsi]]'' plays when [[Doctor Manhattan]] is looking back on his life when he arrives on Mars.<ref>{{cite news|author=Larry Carroll|title=Snyder Reveals Hendrix, Dylan, Other Tracks in 'Watchmen,' No Smashing Pumpkins|work=[[MTV]] Splash Page|date=July 23, 2008|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/movies//2008/07/23/snyder-reveals-hendrix-dylan-other-tracks-in-watchmen-no-smashing-pumpkins/|access-date=July 23, 2008|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174237/http://www.mtv.com/news/movies//2008/07/23/snyder-reveals-hendrix-dylan-other-tracks-in-watchmen-no-smashing-pumpkins/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Introit]]us of [[Mozart]]'s [[Requiem (Mozart)|Requiem]] appears at the end of the film. "Desolation Row" was covered by [[My Chemical Romance]] specially for the film, and the song plays in the end credits. The music video was directed by Snyder and features several in-universe references to ''Watchmen''.

== Release ==
=== Marketing ===
[[Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment]] published a US-only episodic [[video game]] to be released alongside the film called ''[[Watchmen: The End Is Nigh]]''. Warner Bros. took this low-key approach to avoid rushing the game on such a tight schedule, as most games adapted from films are panned by critics and consumers.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Ben|last=Fritz|title='Watchmen' games a go|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=July 23, 2008|url=https://variety.com/2008/digital/features/watchmen-games-a-go-1117989357/|access-date=July 23, 2008}}</ref> The game is set in the 1970s and is written by [[Len Wein]], the comic's editor; Dave Gibbons is also an advisor.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Stephen|last=Totilo|title='Watchmen' Video Game Preview: Rorschach And Nite Owl Star In Subversive Prequel Set In 1970s|publisher=MTV|date=July 23, 2008|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1591385/20080723/id_0.jhtml|access-date=July 23, 2008|archive-date=March 30, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330010447/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1591385/20080723/id_0.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> On March 4, 2009, [[Glu Mobile]] released ''Watchmen: The Mobile Game'', a [[beat 'em up]] [[mobile game]] featuring Nite Owl and The Comedian fighting enemies in their respective settings of New York City and Vietnam.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20090304005295&newsLang=en|title=Become a Hero with ''Watchmen: The Mobile Game''|publisher=[[Business Wire]]|date=March 4, 2009|access-date=March 4, 2009|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174232/https://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20090304005295&newsLang=en|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 6, 2009, a game for the [[Apple Inc.]] [[iPhone]] and [[iPod Touch]] platform was released, titled ''Watchmen: Justice is Coming''. Though highly anticipated, this [[Mobile game|mobile title]] suffered from serious gameplay and network issues which have yet to be resolved.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Rob|last=LeFebvre|title=Watchmen: Justice is Coming is Borked. Kinda. Yeah. No. Yeah.|publisher=[The Portable Gamer]|date=March 6, 2009|url=http://theportablegamer.com/2009/03/watchmen-justice-is-coming-is-borked/|access-date=March 6, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412052320/http://theportablegamer.com/2009/03/watchmen-justice-is-coming-is-borked/|archive-date=April 12, 2009}}</ref>

As a promotion for the film, Warner Bros. Entertainment released ''[[Watchmen: Motion Comic]]'', a series of narrated animations of the original comic book. The first chapter was released for purchase in the summer of 2008 on digital video stores, such as [[iTunes Store]] and [[Amazon Video|Amazon Video on Demand]].<ref name="Amazon WMC">{{cite news | url=http://www.watchmencomicmovie.com/watchmen-motion-comics-episodes.php|title=Motion Comics|publisher=WatchmenComicMovie.com|access-date=February 3, 2009|archive-date=July 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718003545/http://www.watchmencomicmovie.com/watchmen-motion-comics-episodes.php|url-status=live}}</ref> [[DC Direct]] released action figures based on the film in January 2009.<ref>{{Cite magazine|first=Nisha|last=Gopalan|title=First Look: 'Watchmen' Action Figures|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=April 15, 2008|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20191746,00.html|access-date=April 18, 2008|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174233/https://ew.com/article/2008/04/17/first-look-watchmen-toys/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Director Zack Snyder set up a [[YouTube]] contest petitioning ''Watchmen'' fans to create faux commercials of products made by the fictional Veidt Enterprises.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Peter|last=Sciretta|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/2008/04/22/zack-snyder-launches-watchmen-contest/|title=Zack Snyder Launches Watchmen Contest|publisher=[[/Film]]|date=April 22, 2008|access-date=April 23, 2008}}</ref>

The producers released two short video pieces online, which were intended to be [[viral video]]s designed as fictional [[backstory]] pieces, with one being a 1970 newscast marking the tenth anniversary of the public appearance of Doctor Manhattan. The other was a short propaganda film promoting the [[Keene Act]] of 1977, which made it illegal to be a superhero without government support. An official viral marketing website, the New Frontiersman, is named after the tabloid magazine featured in the graphic novel and contains teasers styled as declassified documents.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.watchmencomicmovie.com/010809-watchmen-movie-viral-marketing.php|title=Viral Microsite Launches|publisher=WatchmenComicMovie.com|date=February 3, 2009|access-date=February 4, 2009|archive-date=July 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718003709/http://www.watchmencomicmovie.com/010809-watchmen-movie-viral-marketing.php|url-status=live}}</ref>

After the trailer for the film premiered in July 2008, [[DC Comics]] president [[Paul Levitz]] said that the company had had to print more than 900,000 copies of ''Watchmen'' trade collection to meet the additional demand for the book that the advertising campaign had generated, with the total annual print run expected to be over one million copies.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Gustines|first1=George Gene|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/14/arts/14arts-FILMTRAILERA_BRF.html?_r=1&ref=arts&oref=slogin|title=Film Trailer Aids Sales of 'Watchmen' Novel|work=The New York Times|date=August 13, 2008|access-date=August 13, 2009|archive-date=July 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701103901/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/14/arts/14arts-FILMTRAILERA_BRF.html?_r=1&ref=arts&oref=slogin|url-status=live}}</ref> DC Comics reissued ''Watchmen'' #1 for the original cover price of $1.50 on December 10, 2008; no other issues are planned to be reprinted.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.dccomics.com/dcu/comics/?cm=10728|title=WATCHMEN #1 – NEW PRINTING|publisher=[[DC Comics]]|access-date=January 13, 2009|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174228/https://www.dccomics.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The teaser trailer was attached in July 2008 and debuted in November 2008.

=== Home media ===
''[[Watchmen#Tales of the Black Freighter|Tales of the Black Freighter]]'', a fictional comic within the ''Watchmen'' limited series, was adapted as a 26-minute, [[direct-to-video]] animated feature from [[Warner Premiere]], [[Warner Bros. Animation]], and Legendary titled ''Watchmen: Tales of the Black Freighter'' and released on March 24, 2009.<ref name=dvd>{{Cite news|author=Brooks Barnes|title=Warner Tries a New Tactic to Revive Its DVD Sales|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 26, 2008|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/26/business/media/26retail.html?_r=1&ref=business&oref=slogin|access-date=May 26, 2008|archive-date=July 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701103258/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/26/business/media/26retail.html?_r=1&ref=business&oref=slogin|url-status=live}}</ref> It was originally included in the ''Watchmen'' script,<ref name="update"/> but was changed from live-action footage to animation because of the $20 million it would have cost to film it in the stylized manner of ''[[300 (film)|300]]'' that Snyder wanted.<ref name=dvd/> This animated version, originally intended to be included in the final cut,<ref name=fanqaa>{{Cite news|title=Zack Snyder Fan Q&A — Part II|work=WatchmenComicMovie.com|date=February 14, 2008|url=http://www.watchmencomicmovie.com/021408-zack-snyder-watchmen-interview.php|access-date=February 15, 2008|archive-date=July 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718003517/http://www.watchmencomicmovie.com/021408-zack-snyder-watchmen-interview.php|url-status=live}}</ref> was then cut because the film was already approaching a three-hour running time.<ref name=dvd/> [[Gerard Butler]], who starred in ''300'', voices the Captain in the animated feature, having been promised a role in the live-action film that never materialized.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 28, 2008 |author=Chris Hewitt |title=Gerard Butler Talks Black Freighter |work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire Online]] |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/gerard-butler-talks-black-freighter/ |access-date=February 1, 2020 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174222/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/gerard-butler-talks-black-freighter/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Like the original live-action film itself, international rights to the ''Black Freighter'' film are held by [[Paramount Home Entertainment]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://dvdactive.com/news/releases/watchmentales-of-the-black-freighter.html|publisher=DVDActive.com|title=UK DVD release of ''Tales of the Black Freighter''|access-date=June 18, 2009|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174254/https://dvdactive.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The ''Black Freighter'' releases also include ''Under the Hood'', a 38-minute, fictional [[Fictional universe|in-universe]] documentary detailing the characters' backstories, which takes its title from that of Hollis Mason's memoirs in the comic book.<ref name=dvd/> Unlike the film and ''Tales of the Black Freighter'' which were both R-rated, ''Under the Hood'' is PG-rated because it is meant to resemble a behind-the-scenes television [[news magazine]] profile of the characters. The actors themselves were allowed to improvise during filming interviews in character.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Shawn Adler|title=Carla Gugino Improvises For 'Watchmen' In-Character Documentary, 'Under the Hood'|work=[[MTV]] Splash Page|date=October 23, 2008|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/movies//2008/10/23/carla-gugino-improvises-for-watchmen-in-character-documentary-under-the-hood/|access-date=October 23, 2008|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174218/http://www.mtv.com/news/movies//2008/10/23/carla-gugino-improvises-for-watchmen-in-character-documentary-under-the-hood/|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Bolex]] cameras were even used to film faux archive footage of the Minutemen.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Casey Seijas|title='Watchmen: Tales Of The Black Freighter' Director Dishes On 'Under The Hood'|work=[[MTV]] Splash Page|date=March 20, 2009|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/movies//2009/03/20/watchmen-tales-of-the-black-freighter-director-dishes-on-under-the-hood/|access-date=March 20, 2009|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174229/http://www.mtv.com/news/movies//2009/03/20/watchmen-tales-of-the-black-freighter-director-dishes-on-under-the-hood/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In addition, the 325-minute ''[[Watchmen: Motion Comic]]'' was released via Blu-ray, DVD, and digital video stores on March 3, 2009, as part of the ''Warner Premiere: Motion Comics'' series.

Warner released a 186-minute director's cut of the film, expanded from the 162-minute theatrical cut, on all formats on July 21, 2009. This was followed by the November 10, 2009, home video release of the 215-minute "Ultimate Cut". It comprises the director's cut with ''Tales of the Black Freighter'' edited in throughout, along with additional newsstand framing sequences. The Ultimate Cut was released on 4K UHD Blu-ray on July 19, 2016.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://ultrahd.highdefdigest.com/34872/watchmentheultimatecutultrahdbluray.html|title=Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut - Ultra HD Blu-ray Ultra HD Review {{!}} High Def Digest|website=ultrahd.highdefdigest.com|language=en|access-date=2017-12-22|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174234/https://ultrahd.highdefdigest.com/34872/watchmentheultimatecutultrahdbluray.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

All DVD and Blu-ray editions of the three cuts come in various permutations, with varying quantities of extra features.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=14900|title=Watchmen DVD comparison|publisher=DVDCompare|access-date=December 24, 2018|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174221/http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=14900|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=14775|title=Watchmen Blu-ray comparison|publisher=DVDCompare|access-date=December 24, 2018|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174224/http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=14775|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=46640|title=Watchmen Blu-ray 4K comparison|publisher=DVDCompare|access-date=December 24, 2018|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174248/http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=46640|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Watchmen'' debuted at the top of the rental, DVD, and Blu-ray charts.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE56T05B20090730 |title="Watchmen" dominates video charts |work=[[Reuters]] |date=July 29, 2009 |last=Arnold |first=Thomas K. |access-date=April 5, 2010 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174229/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE56T05B20090730 |url-status=live }}</ref> First week sales of the DVD stood at 1,232,725 copies, generating $24,597,425 in sales revenue. By November 1, 2009, the DVD had sold a total of 2,510,321 copies and made $46,766,383 in revenue.<ref name="test">{{cite web |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2009/WATCH-DVD.php |title=Watchmen |publisher=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]] |access-date=January 31, 2011 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174235/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Watchmen |url-status=live }}</ref>

As of 2022, it has made $152,601,532 from domestic DVD and Blu-ray sales.<ref>[https://m.the-numbers.com/movie/Watchmen The Numbers]</ref>

Greg Silverman (former Warner Bros. executive) said that the film did eventually become profitable.<ref name="twitter.com"/>

== Reception ==
=== Box office ===
''Watchmen'' was released at midnight on March 5, 2009, and earned an estimated $4.6 million for the early showing,<ref>{{cite web|author=Joal Ryan|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/103156/watchmens_decent_midnight_box_office|title=Watchmen's "Decent" Midnight Box Office|publisher=[[Yahoo!|Yahoo! Online]]|work=[[E!]]|date=March 6, 2009|access-date=March 10, 2009|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174249/https://www.eonline.com/news/103156/watchmens_decent_midnight_box_office|url-status=live}}</ref> approximately twice as much as ''300'', Snyder's previous comic book adaptation, earned.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.the-numbers.com/interactive/newsStory.php?newsID=4078|title=Watchmen Starts with $4.550 Million at Midnight|publisher=The-Numbers|date=March 6, 2009|access-date=March 10, 2009|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174302/https://www.the-numbers.com/news/156760830-Watchmen-Starts-with-4-550-Million-at-Midnight|url-status=live}}</ref> The film earned $24,515,772 in 3,611 theaters during its first day,<ref name="DBO">{{cite news | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl41453057/|title=Daily Box Office|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=March 10, 2009|archive-date=July 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710040606/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=watchmen.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> and later finished its opening weekend grossing $55,214,334.<ref name=weekend>{{cite news | url= https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl41453057/weekend/|title= Weekend Box Office|work= Box Office Mojo|access-date= March 15, 2009|archive-date= November 16, 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174236/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl41453057/weekend/|url-status= live}}</ref> At that point, it had the biggest number of screenings for an R-rated film, breaking the previous record held by ''[[The Matrix Reloaded]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/watchmen-gets-biggest-r-rated-rollout/|title=Watchmen Gets Biggest R-Rated Rollout!|date=March 5, 2009 }}</ref> ''Watchmen''{{'}}s opening weekend is the highest of any Alan Moore adaptation to date, and the income was also greater than the entire box office take of ''[[From Hell (film)|From Hell]]'', which ended its theatrical run with $31,602,566.<ref name="Moorefilms">{{cite news | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/franchises/chart/?id=alanmoore.htm|title=Comparison of Alan Moore adaptations|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=March 10, 2009|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174259/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Although the film finished with $55 million for its opening, while Snyder's previous adaptation ''300'' earned $70 million in its opening weekend, Warner Bros.' head of distribution, Dan Fellman, stated that the opening weekend success of the two films were not comparable because ''Watchmen''<nowiki/>'s runtime was 45 minutes longer than ''300'', allowing for fewer showings a night.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.today.com/id/29584644|title=Who's watching the 'Watchmen'? Everybody|publisher=[[Today.com]]|agency=Associated Press|date=March 8, 2009|access-date=March 10, 2009|archive-date=July 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728080142/http://www.today.com/id/29584644|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Watchmen'' pulled in $5.4 million at 124 [[IMAX]] screens, the second-largest IMAX opening at that time.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed3883533316/ |title=Weekend Report: 'Watchmen' Rages in the Top Spot|author=Brandon Gray|website=Box Office Mojo |date=March 9, 2009|access-date=March 10, 2009|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174233/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed3883533316/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following its first week at the box office, ''Watchmen'' saw a significant drop in attendance. By the end of its second weekend, the film brought in $17,817,301, finishing second on that weekend's box office chart. The 67.7% overall decrease was at the time of its release one of the highest for a major comic book film.<ref name=second>{{cite web| url= https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed3833201668/| title= Weekend Report: 'Witch' Blasts Off, 'Watchmen' Burns Out| website= Box Office Mojo| date= March 16, 2009| access-date= August 12, 2009| last= Gray| first= Brandon| archive-date= November 16, 2020| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174228/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed3833201668/| url-status= live}}</ref> Losing two-thirds of its audience from its opening weekend, the film finished second for the weekend of March 13–15, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2009W11/ |title=March 13–15, 2009 Weekend Studio Estimates |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=March 15, 2009 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174229/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2009W11/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film continued to drop about 60% in almost every subsequent weekend, leaving the top ten in its fifth weekend, and the top twenty in its seventh.<ref name=weekend/> ''Watchmen'' crossed the $100 million mark on March 26, its twenty-first day at the box office,<ref name="DBO"/> and finished its theatrical run in the United States on May 28, having grossed $107,509,799 in 84 days. The film had grossed one fifth of its ultimate gross on its opening day, and more than half of that total by the end of its opening weekend.<ref name="DBO"/>

''Watchmen'' was the 31st-highest-grossing film of 2009,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Domestic Box Office For 2009 |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/2009/ |access-date=2023-06-21 |website=Box Office Mojo}}</ref> and the sixth-highest-grossing R-rated film of the year, behind ''[[The Hangover]]'', ''[[Inglourious Basterds]]'', ''[[District 9]]'', ''[[Paranormal Activity]]'', and ''[[It's Complicated (film)|It's Complicated]]''.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/mpaarating.htm?yr=2009&rating=R&p=.htm|title=2009 Yearly Box Office by MPAA Rating|work=Box Office Mojo|access-date=March 12, 2009|archive-date=August 30, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830200854/http://boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/mpaarating.htm?rating=R&yr=2009&p=.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> At the North American box office, ''Watchmen'' currently sits in the lower half of the forty-four films based on a DC Comics comic book, narrowly ahead of 1997's ''[[Batman & Robin (film)|Batman & Robin]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=DC Comics Adaptations Comparison |website=Box Office Mojo |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/brand/bn3664968194/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 10, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174237/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/ |archive-date=November 16, 2020}}</ref>

''Watchmen'' earned $26.6 million in 45 territories overseas; of these, Britain and France had the highest box office with an estimated $4.6 million and $2.5 million, respectively.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE5250NQ20090310|title='Watchmen' falls short of expected box office take|work=[[Reuters]]|date=March 8, 2009|access-date=March 10, 2009|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174231/https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE5250NQ20090310|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Watchmen'' also took in approximately $2.3 million in Russia, $2.3 million in Australia, $1.6 million in Italy, and $1.4 million in South Korea.<ref>{{cite news|first=Frank|last=Segers|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/filmNews/idUSTRE52818920090309|title="Watchmen" rules overseas box office|work=Reuters|date=March 9, 2009|access-date=March 10, 2009|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174233/https://www.reuters.com/article/filmNews/idUSTRE52818920090309|url-status=live}}</ref> The film collected $77,873,014 in other territories, bringing its worldwide total to $185,382,813.<ref name="Mojo" />

=== Critical response ===
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], ''Watchmen'' has {{a or an|{{RT data|score}}}} approval rating based on 311 reviews, and an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The site's critical consensus reads, "Gritty and visually striking, ''Watchmen'' is a faithful adaptation of Alan Moore's graphic novel, but its complex narrative structure may make it difficult for it to appeal to viewers not already familiar with the source material."<ref name="rt">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/watchmen|title=Watchmen|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]]|access-date={{RT data|access date}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916115359/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/watchmen/|archive-date=September 16, 2014|url-status=live}}{{RT data|edit}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[weighted mean|weighted average]] rating reviews from mainstream critics, the film has a score of 56 out of 100, based on 39 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref name="meta">{{cite news | url=https://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/watchmen|title=''Watchmen'' (2009): Reviews|work=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=CNET Networks|access-date=February 22, 2009|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174245/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/watchmen|url-status=live}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale; the primary audience was older men.<ref>{{Cite magazine|author=Joshua Rich|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/03/08/boxoffice.ew/|title='Watchmen' takes box office lead|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=March 8, 2009|access-date=March 8, 2009|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174247/https://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/03/08/boxoffice.ew/|url-status=live}}</ref><!--Please do not add IMDb ratings. [[WP:UGC]] They are an unreliable representation of fan reaction.!-->

Patrick Kolan of [[IGN]] Australia awarded it a perfect 10/10 and wrote, "It's the ''Watchmen'' film you always wanted to see, but never expected to get."<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/02/24/watchmen-au-review|title=Watchmen AU Review|website=IGN AU|date=February 24, 2009|last=Kolan|first=Patrick|access-date=August 13, 2020|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174232/https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/02/24/watchmen-au-review|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Roger Ebert]] gave it four out of four stars and wrote, "It's a compelling visceral film—sound, images and characters combined into a decidedly odd visual experience that evokes the feel of a graphic novel."<ref>{{cite web |date=March 4, 2009 |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |title=Watchmen movie review & film summary (2009) |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/watchmen-2009 |website=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |access-date=September 17, 2020 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174242/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/watchmen-2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Richard Corliss of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' concluded, "this ambitious picture is a thing of bits and pieces," yet "the bits are glorious, the pieces magnificent."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1883200-1,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309205952/http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1883200-1,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 9, 2009 |title=Watchmen Review: (A Few) Moments of Greatness|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|TIME]] |last=Corliss |first=Richard |author-link=Richard Corliss |date=March 4, 2009|access-date=August 12, 2009}}</ref> Jonathan Crocker of ''[[Total Film]]'' awarded it 4/5 stars, writing, "It's hard to imagine anyone watching the ''Watchmen'' as faithfully as Zack Snyder's heartfelt, stylised adap. Uncompromising, uncommercial, and unique."<ref>{{Cite news|date=February 24, 2009|title=Watchmen (18)|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/watchmen-1/|last=Crocker|first=Jonathan|work=Total Film |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090225074040/http://www.totalfilm.com/reviews/cinema/watchmen  |archive-date =  February 25, 2009|url-status=dead |access-date=April 19, 2019 }}</ref> When comparing the film with the original source material, Ian Nathan of ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' felt that while "it isn't the graphic novel... Zack Snyder clearly gives a toss, creating a smart, stylish, decent adaptation."<ref>{{cite web |date=1 Jan 2000 |author=Ian Nathan |title=Watchmen |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/watchmen-review/ |website=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |access-date=September 17, 2020 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174232/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/watchmen-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Nick Dent of ''[[Time Out (company)|Time Out]] Sydney'' gave the film 4 out of 5 in his review of February 25, praising the film's inventiveness but concluding, "While ''Watchmen'' is still as rich, daring, and intelligent an action film as there's ever been, it also proves Moore absolutely right [that ''Watchmen'' is inherently un-filmable]. As a comic book, ''Watchmen'' is an extraordinary thing. As a movie, it's just another movie, awash with sound and fury."<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.timeoutsydney.com.au/film/reviews/watchmen.aspx |title=Watchmen Review |work=[[Time Out (company)|Time Out]] Sydney |last=Dent |first=Nick |access-date=August 1, 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101103064245/http://www.timeoutsydney.com.au/film/reviews/watchmen.aspx |archive-date=November 3, 2010 }}</ref>

Some critics who wrote negative reviews disliked the film's use and depiction of the [[Cold War]]-period setting, stating that the film's attempt to use the 1980s fears that never came to pass felt dated, and that Snyder's slavish devotion to faithfully adapting the source material as literally as possible did not allow his work to exhibit a creative distinctiveness of its own, and that as a result, the film and its characters lacked vitality and authenticity.<ref name="blight"/><ref name="reader"/><ref name="hopeless"/><ref name="varreview"/><ref name="powbam"/><ref name="owen"/> Philip Kennicott of ''[[The Washington Post]]'', for example wrote, "''Watchmen'' is a bore [...] It sinks under the weight of its reverence for the original."<ref name="blight">{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/04/AR2009030403970.html|title=Blight 'Watchmen'|newspaper=The Washington Post|last=Kennicott|first=Philip|date=March 5, 2009|access-date=August 12, 2009|archive-date=June 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604200208/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/04/AR2009030403970.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Devin Gordon wrote for ''[[Newsweek]]'', "That's the trouble with loyalty. Too little, and you alienate your core fans. Too much, and you lose everyone—and everything—else."<ref name="trouble">{{cite news|url=https://www.newsweek.com/id/186958/page/1|title=The "Watchmen" Movie and the Trouble With Loyalty|work=[[Newsweek]]|last=Gordon|first=Devin|date=February 28, 2009|access-date=August 12, 2009|archive-date=April 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090401144638/http://www.newsweek.com/id/186958/page/1|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Owen Gleiberman's ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' review reads, "Snyder treats each image with the same stuffy hermetic reverence. He doesn't move the camera or let the scenes breathe. He crams the film with bits and pieces, trapping his actors like bugs wriggling in the frame."<ref name="owen">{{cite magazine | url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20262574,00.html|title=Movie Review: Watchmen (2009)|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|first=Owen|last=Gleiberman|date=March 2, 2009|access-date=August 12, 2009|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174253/https://ew.com/article/2009/03/04/watchmen-2/|url-status=dead}}</ref> "[Snyder] never pause[s] to develop a vision of his own. The result is oddly hollow and disjointed; the actors moving stiffly from one overdetermined tableau to another," said Noah Berlatsky of the ''[[Chicago Reader]]''.<ref name="reader">{{cite news | url=https://onfilm.chicagoreader.com/movies/capsules/34160_WATCHMEN|work=Chicago Reader|title=Watchmen|first=Noah|last=Berlatsky|access-date=June 18, 2009|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174248/https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/film/Section?oid=846987&path=|url-status=live}}</ref>

David Edelstein of ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' agrees: "They've made the most reverent adaptation of a graphic novel ever. But this kind of reverence kills what it seeks to preserve. The movie is embalmed."<ref name="hopeless">{{cite news | url=https://nymag.com/movies/reviews/55005/|title=Hopelessly Devoted|work=New York Magazine|first=David|last=Edelstein|date=February 27, 2009|access-date=June 18, 2009|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174239/https://nymag.com/movies/reviews/55005/|url-status=live}}</ref> Joe Morgenstern of ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' wrote, "Watching 'Watchmen' is the spiritual equivalent of being whacked on the skull for 163 minutes. The reverence is inert, the violence noxious, the mythology murky, the tone grandiose, the texture glutinous."<ref name="powbam">{{cite news | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123629428724445423|title=Pow! Bam! 'Watchmen' Batters Public|first=Joe|last=Morgenstern|date=March 6, 2009|work=[[Wall Street Journal]]|access-date=June 18, 2009|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174244/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123629428724445423|url-status=live}}</ref> Donald Clarke of ''[[The Irish Times]]'' was similarly dismissive: "Snyder, director of the unsubtle ''300'', has squinted hard at the source material and turned it into a colossal animated storyboard, augmented by indifferent performances and moronically obvious music cues."<ref name="irish">{{cite news | url=https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/theticket/2009/0306/1224242314804.html|newspaper=The Irish Times|title=Watchmen Review|first=Donald|last=Clarke|date=March 6, 2009|access-date=June 18, 2009|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174240/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/watchmen-1.716611|url-status=live}}</ref>

The trade magazines ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' and ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' were even less taken with the film. Justin Chang of ''Variety'' commented, "The movie is ultimately undone by its own reverence; there's simply no room for these characters and stories to breathe of their own accord, and even the most fastidiously replicated scenes can feel glib and truncated,"<ref name="varreview">{{Cite journal|last=Chang|first=Justin|url=https://variety.com/2009/film/features/watchmen-1200473457/|title=Watchmen (review)|journal=Variety|date=June 2, 2009|access-date=August 12, 2009|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116174310/https://variety.com/2009/film/features/watchmen-1200473457/|url-status=live}}</ref> and Kirk Honeycutt of ''The Hollywood Reporter'' writing, "The real disappointment is that the film does not transport an audience to another world, as ''300'' did. Nor does the third-rate [[Raymond Chandler|Chandler]]-esque narration by Rorschach help...Looks like we have the first real flop of 2009."<ref name="hrreview">{{Cite journal|last=Honeycutt|first=Kirk|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film-reviews/film-review-watchmen-1003945726.story|title=Film Review: ''Watchmen''|journal=The Hollywood Reporter|date=February 26, 2009|access-date=August 12, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228142902/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film-reviews/film-review-watchmen-1003945726.story|archive-date=February 28, 2009}}</ref>

Analyzing the divided response, Geoff Boucher of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' felt that, like ''[[Eyes Wide Shut]]'', ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]'', or ''[[Fight Club]]'', ''Watchmen'' would continue to be a talking point among those who liked or disliked the film. Boucher felt in spite of his own mixed feelings about the finished film, he was "oddly proud" that the director had made a faithful adaptation that was "nothing less than the boldest popcorn movie ever made. Snyder somehow managed to get a major studio to make a movie with no stars, no 'name' superheroes and a hard R-rating, thanks to all those broken bones, that oddly off-putting Owl Ship sex scene and, of course, the unforgettable glowing blue penis."<ref>{{Cite news|author=Geoff Boucher|title=Is 'Watchmen' the 'Fight Club' of superhero films?|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=March 10, 2009|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2009/03/is-watchmen-the.html|access-date=March 13, 2009|archive-date=March 13, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090313182012/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2009/03/is-watchmen-the.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2023, director [[Christopher Nolan]] said that Snyder's version of ''Watchmen'' was ahead of its time and that it should have been released "post-''[[The Avengers (2012 film)|Avengers]]''". He added that "The idea of a superhero team, which it brilliantly subverts, wasn't a thing yet in movies."<ref>[https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/christopher-nolan-zack-snyder-watchmen-ahead-of-its-time-1234930386/ Christopher Nolan Calls Zack Snyder’s ‘Watchmen’ a Film ‘Ahead of Its Time’: It Should Have Been Released Post-‘Avengers’|IndieWire]</ref>

=== Accolades ===
{{Anchor|Awards|Accolades}}
''Watchmen'' was nominated for one award at the [[Visual Effects Society Awards 2009|2009 VES Awards]], seven awards at the [[36th Saturn Awards]], and 13 awards at the [[2009 Scream Awards]]. The film was also pre-nominated for the [[Academy Award for Best Visual Effects]], although it did not make the final shortlist.

{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
|+ style="background:#B0C4DE;" | List of Awards
|-
! Award
! Category
! Recipient(s)
! Result
|-
|rowspan="8"|[[36th Saturn Awards]]
|-
|[[Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film|Best Fantasy Film]]
|
|{{Won}}
|-
|[[Saturn Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
|[[Zack Snyder]]
|{{Nominated}}
|-
|[[Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]]
|[[Malin Åkerman]]
|{{Nominated}}
|-
|[[Saturn Award for Best Writing|Best Writing]]
|[[Alex Tse]] and [[David Hayter]]
|{{Nominated}}
|-
|[[Saturn Award for Best Costume|Best Costume]]
|Michael Wilkinson
|{{Won}}
|-
|Best Production Design
|
|{{Nominated}}
|-
|[[Saturn Award for Best Special Edition DVD Release|Best Special Edition DVD Release]]
|''Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut''
|{{Won}}
|-
|rowspan="14"|[[2009 Scream Awards]]
|-
|Best Fantasy Film
|
|{{Nominated}}
|-
|Best Supporting Actress
|[[Carla Gugino]]
|{{Nominated}}
|-
|Breakout Performance-Female
|[[Malin Åkerman]]
|{{Nominated}}
|-
|Best Ensemble
|
|{{Nominated}}
|-
|Best F/X
|
|{{Nominated}}
|-
|Scream Song of the Year
|"[[Desolation Row#My Chemical Romance|Desolation Row]]" by [[My Chemical Romance]]
|{{Nominated}}
|-
|rowspan=3|Best Superhero
|[[Jackie Earle Haley]]
|{{Nominated}}
|-
|[[Billy Crudup]]
|{{Nominated}}
|-
|[[Malin Åkerman]]
|{{Nominated}}
|-
|Most Memorable Mutilation
|Arms Cut off by Rotary Saw
|{{Nominated}}
|-
|Fight Scene of the Year
|Ozymandias v. The Comedian
|{{Nominated}}
|-
|Holy Sh!t! Scene of the Year
|The Destruction of Manhattan
|{{Nominated}}
|-
|Best Comic Book Movie
|
|{{Won}}
|-
|[[Visual Effects Society Awards 2009|2009 VES Awards]]
|Outstanding Animated Character in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture
|Doctor Manhattan
|{{Nominated}}
|}

==See also==
* ''[[Watchmen (TV series)|Watchmen]]'', an [[HBO]] limited series set after the events of the graphic novel.
* ''[[Watchmen Chapter I]]''<!-- and [[Watchmen: Chapter II]]-->, an animated film adaptation of the graphic novel.
* [[List of films set on Mars]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{Cite book |last=Aperlo|first=Peter|title=Watchmen: The Film Companion|publisher=[[Titan Books]]|date=February 2009|page=[https://archive.org/details/watchmenfilmcomp00aper_0/page/176 176] |url=https://archive.org/details/watchmenfilmcomp00aper_0/page/176 |isbn=978-1-84856-159-5}}

==External links==
* [https://www.warnerbros.com/movies/watchmen Official website]
* {{IMDb title|0409459}}
* {{Mojo title|watchmen}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|watchmen}}
* {{TCMDb title|684107}}
* {{AFI film|65027}}

{{Navboxes
|title=''Watchmen''
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[[Category:Watchmen (2009 film)| ]]
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[[Category:American science fiction action films]]
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[[Category:English-language action drama films]]
[[Category:English-language science fiction action films]]
[[Category:Films based on DC Comics]]
[[Category:Films based on works by Alan Moore]]
[[Category:Films directed by Zack Snyder]]
[[Category:Films produced by Deborah Snyder]]
[[Category:Films produced by Lawrence Gordon]]
[[Category:Films scored by Tyler Bates]]
[[Category:Films set in 1985]]
[[Category:Films set in New York City]]
[[Category:Films shot in Vancouver]]
[[Category:Films using motion capture]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Alex Tse]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by David Hayter]]
[[Category:Genocide in fiction]]
[[Category:Hyperlink films]]
[[Category:IMAX films]]
[[Category:Legendary Pictures films]]
[[Category:Live-action films based on DC Comics]]
[[Category:Mars in film]]
[[Category:Paramount Pictures films]]
[[Category:Saturn Award–winning films]]
[[Category:The Stone Quarry films]]
[[Category:Superhero drama films]]
[[Category:Vietnam War films]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. films]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. Pictures franchises]]