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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Screen & Stage • Film

The Ring (2002 film)

The Ring is a 2002 American supernatural horror film directed by Gore Verbinski and written by Ehren Kruger.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

The Ring is a 2002 American supernatural horror film directed by Gore Verbinski. It follows a journalist investigating a cursed videotape that kills viewers seven days after watching.

What it is

The Ring is an American remake of the 1998 Japanese film Ring, itself based on Kōji Suzuki’s 1991 novel. The story centres on a cursed VHS tape: anyone who watches it dies exactly seven days later. Journalist Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts) uncovers the tape and must race to break the curse before time runs out.

Why it matters

The film was a major commercial success, grossing $249.3 million worldwide. It won Saturn Awards for Best Horror Film and Best Actress (Naomi Watts), helping to solidify the American horror remake trend of the early 2000s. Its influence extended to Canadian audiences and home-video markets, where the franchise remains well-known.

Key details

Directed by Gore Verbinski and written by Ehren Kruger, The Ring stars Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson, David Dorfman, and Brian Cox. DreamWorks Pictures released it in U.S. theatres on October 18, 2002. It is the first instalment in the American Ring series.

In short

  • American remake of the 1998 Japanese film Ring
  • Cursed VHS tape kills viewers in seven days
  • Stars Naomi Watts as journalist Rachel Keller
  • Grossed $249.3 million worldwide; won Saturn Awards for Best Horror Film and Best Actress
Canadian angle

The film was widely distributed internationally, including in Canada, and is part of a globally recognized horror franchise that has also influenced Canadian horror audiences and home-video markets.

Quick questions

What is The Ring?
The Ring is a 2002 American supernatural horror film about a cursed videotape that kills viewers seven days after they watch it.
Is The Ring a remake?
Yes. It is a remake of the 1998 Japanese film Ring, which was based on Kōji Suzuki's 1991 novel.
Who directed The Ring?
Gore Verbinski directed the film.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ring_(2002_film)
    Supports: Director, writer, cast, plot premise, release date, box office, awards, and franchise position.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Ring-2002-film
    Supports: Identification of The Ring as the 2002 film by Gore Verbinski.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ring
    Supports: Synopsis, genre, release date, and general reception.