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{{Use British English|date=October 2011}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Attack the Block
| image          = Attack The Block 2.jpg
| alt            = 
| caption        = UK theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Joe Cornish]]
| producer       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Nira Park]]
* [[James Wilson (producer)|James Wilson]]
}}
| writer         = Joe Cornish
| starring       = {{Plainlist|
* [[John Boyega]]
* [[Jodie Whittaker]]
* [[Alex Esmail]]
* [[Franz Drameh]]
* Leeon Jones
* Simon Howard
* [[Luke Treadaway]]
* Jumayn Hunter
* [[Nick Frost]]
}}
| music          = {{Plainlist|
* [[Basement Jaxx]]
* [[Steven Price (composer)|Steven Price]]
}}
| cinematography = Tom Townend
| editing        = [[Jonathan Amos]]
| production_companies = {{Plainlist|
* [[StudioCanal]]
* [[Film4 Productions|Film4]]
* [[UK Film Council]]
* [[Big Talk Productions|Big Talk Pictures]]
}}
| distributor    = [[Optimum Releasing]]
| released       = {{Film date|df=y|2011|03|12|[[South by Southwest|SXSW]]|2011|05|11|United Kingdom}}
| runtime        = 88 minutes<ref name="runtime">{{cite web|url=https://bbfc.co.uk/AFF277176/|title=Attack the Block|publisher=[[British Board of Film Classification]]|website=bbfc.co.uk|date=15 March 2011|access-date=14 September 2011|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305091542/https://bbfc.co.uk/AFF277176/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| country        = United Kingdom<ref name="BFI"/>
| language       = English
| budget         = £8 million ($13 million)<ref name="Mojo"/>
| gross          = $6.2–6.5 million<ref name="Mojo"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Attack the Block (2011) - Financial Information |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Attack-the-Block |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=The Numbers}}</ref>
}}
'''''Attack the Block''''' is a 2011 British [[Science fiction film|science fiction]] [[comedy horror]] film written and directed by [[Joe Cornish]] and starring [[John Boyega]], [[Jodie Whittaker]], and [[Nick Frost]]. Its storyline centres on a teenage [[street gang]] who have to defend themselves from predatory [[alien invader]]s on a [[Council house|council estate]] in [[South London]] on [[Guy Fawkes Night]]. It was the film debut of Cornish, Boyega, and composer [[Steven Price (composer)|Steven Price]].

Released on 11 May 2011, ''Attack the Block'' underperformed at the box office but received positive reception from the critics, with particular praise for Cornish's direction and Boyega's performance. It also received several international accolades. The film has been called a [[cult classic]] to sci fi fans.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/29/movies/attack-the-block-review.html|title=Inner City vs. Outer Space|first=Jeannette|last=Catsoulis|date=28 July 2011|access-date=11 August 2018|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|archive-date=5 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605020627/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/29/movies/attack-the-block-review.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Plot==
On [[Guy Fawkes Night]], trainee nurse Samantha Adams is mugged and violently attacked by a gang of  teenage hoodlums from South London: Pest, Dennis, Jerome, Biggz and leader Moses. When a meteorite falls from the sky into a nearby car, Samantha escapes. As Moses searches the wreck of the car for valuables, his face is scratched by a dog-sized alien creature. The creature runs away, but the gang chase and kill it. Hoping to gain fame and fortune, they take the dead animal to their acquaintance, [[Cannabis (drug)|cannabis]] dealer Ron and his boss Hi-Hatz, a local gang leader, who instead recruits Moses to work for him.

More objects fall from the sky. Eager to fight the creatures, the gang arm themselves and go to the nearest crash site, where they find one dead alien, but other living aliens. However, they find these aliens are much larger and more threatening. After one kills Dennis's pet pitbull Pogo, the gang flee but are intercepted by two policemen accompanying Samantha, and Moses is arrested. The aliens follow Moses and maul the unarmed officers to death, leaving Samantha and Moses trapped inside a van. Dennis reaches the vehicle and drives it away, only to crash into Hi-Hatz's car when they pass through a nearby building's parking space. Samantha runs away while the rest of Moses's gang catch up and confront Hi-Hatz and his henchman, who accuse Moses of trying to kill Hi-Hatz in order to replace him as the local drug lord. An alien arrives and kills the henchman but is killed in turn by Hi-Hatz.

The gang try to flee to Wyndham Tower, a [[High-rise building|tower block]], but are attacked outside by the aliens; Biggz is forced to hide in a recycling bin, though he is later saved by a pair of their young neighbours who manage to kill the alien. Meanwhile, Pest is bitten in the leg by an alien who breaks into their building. They discover that Samantha also lives in their building and persuade her to treat Pest's leg. An alien bursts into her flat and Moses kills it with a [[samurai sword]]. Realising that the group was not lying about the creatures being extraterrestrial, Samantha joins them.

The gang move upstairs to the flat where Tia, Dimples, Dionna and Gloria live, believing that their security gate will keep them safe. Two aliens instead attack from outside, smashing through the windows and [[Decapitation|decapitating]] Dennis. Samantha kills an alien, saving Moses in the process, while Tia and Dimples manage to kill the other one by ganging up on it. The girls believe the boys to be the focus of the creatures and kick them out of the flat. Hi-Hatz and two more henchmen arrive and attack the gang, blaming them for the death of the first henchman, but another alien arrives and chases Hi-Hatz and the henchmen into a lift; only Hi-Hatz makes it out alive.

Making their way upstairs to Ron's weed room, the gang run into more aliens, but use fireworks as a distraction and manage to get through. Jerome becomes disoriented in the smoke and is killed by an alien. Entering Ron's flat, they find Hi-Hatz waiting, who prepares to shoot Moses but he is then suddenly attacked and killed by the rest of the aliens who break in through the window. The group flee and are joined by Brewis, one of Ron's customers and a zoology student. Moses, Pest and Samantha retreat into the weed room, while Ron hides in the flat.

In the weed room, Brewis notices a luminescent stain on Moses's jacket under the ultraviolet light. Brewis theorises that the aliens are like spores, drifting through space on solar winds until they chance on a [[habitable planet]]; after landing in an area with enough food, the female lets off a strong [[pheromone]] to attract the male creatures so that they can mate and propagate their species; Moses has been carrying scent since he killed the female, which is how the males have always been able to find them. Moses persuades Pest to return Samantha's stolen ring and together they form a plan. As Samantha has not been stained with the alien pheromone she can to go to Moses's flat and turn on the [[Gas stove|gas oven]].

Samantha successfully bypasses the aliens and turns on the gas in the flat. She leaves the tower block, and Moses, with the corpse of the small female alien strapped to his back, runs to the gas-filled flat with all of the big male aliens following him. He throws the corpse into the flat; with a firework he ignites the room and leaps out of the window. The resulting explosion kills all the aliens but leaves the high-rise flat in flames. Moses survives by grabbing onto a flag hanging from the balcony.

In the aftermath, Moses, Pest, Brewis and Ron are arrested and held responsible by the arriving police for all of the recent deaths around the block that night. The police then ask Samantha to identify Moses and his friends as those who killed everyone, including the two police officers who had arrested Moses earlier. Instead, Samantha says the boys are her neighbours and they protected her. In the back of the police van, Moses and Pest hear the residents of the block cheering for Moses; they both smile.

==Cast==
Representative of the film's plot and location, most of the cast (many of whom spoke [[Multicultural London English]] during the film) were young, relative unknowns and local to the area. According to the DVD's making-of featurette, the teenagers were selected from drama classes of London council estate schools and then had to go through eight auditions before being offered a part.<ref>DVD "making of" featurette</ref> John Boyega found out about this film from an advert placed on the internet. The cast includes:

* [[John Boyega]] as Moses, a low-level crook, teenage gang leader and orphan looking for respect around the block.
* [[Jodie Whittaker]] as Samantha Adams, a trainee nurse and new resident of Wyndham Tower.
* [[Alex Esmail]] as Pest, a teenage jokester, pyromaniac and loyal second-in-command of Moses's gang. 
* [[Franz Drameh]] as Dennis, a hotheaded [[pizza delivery boy]] and the enforcer of the gang.
* Leeon Jones as Jerome, the most level-headed member of the gang and the most academically inclined. 
* Simon Howard as Biggz, the youngest member of the gang. Throughout most of the film, Biggz is trapped in a recycling bin after he is cornered by the aliens.
* [[Nick Frost]] as Ron, the local drug dealer who lives in the penthouse of Wyndham Tower and knows everyone.
* [[Luke Treadaway]] as Brewis, a posh student stoner who is one of Ron's customers.
* Jumayn Hunter as Hi-Hatz, the local psychopathic gangster who is Ron's feared boss.
* [[Danielle Vitalis]] as Tia, a girl living in Wyndham Tower who is Moses's love interest and friend to the gang.
* [[Paigey Cakey|Paige Meade]] as Dimples, Tia's quick tempered roommate who is also a friend to the gang.
* Sammy Williams as Probs, a child who wishes to join Moses's gang.
* Michael Ajao as Mayhem, Probs's best friend, who shares his goal of joining Moses's gang.
* [[Jacey Sallés]] as Biggz's mum.
* [[Karl Collins]] as Dennis' dad.
* [[Joey Ansah]] as Policeman.
* Chris Wilson as arresting Police Officer.

==Production==
[[Big Talk Productions#Big Talk Pictures|Big Talk Pictures]], known for films including ''[[Shaun of the Dead]]'', ''[[Hot Fuzz]]'' and ''[[Scott Pilgrim vs. the World|Scott Pilgrim vs. The World]]'', produced the film alongside [[Film4 Productions|Film4]], [[UK Film Council|The UK Film Council]] and [[StudioCanal]].<ref name= "BFI">{{cite web |title=Attack the Block|url=http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b8dd444e3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715062204/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b8dd444e3 |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 July 2012 |publisher=[[British Film Institute]] |access-date=22 July 2013}}</ref>

The plot was inspired by an event where the director was mugged himself, and after adding the science fiction angle into the plot, Joe Cornish interviewed various kids in youth groups in order to find out what kind of weapons they would use if a real alien invasion occurred. The director wanted to counter the trend of '[[hoodie]] horror' films which demonised urban youths.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gallagher |first1=Paul |title=Cornish Nasties |url=https://archive.list.co.uk/the-list/2011-04-28/18/ |publisher=The List |access-date=25 September 2019 |date=28 April 2011 |archive-date=25 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925134512/https://archive.list.co.uk/the-list/2011-04-28/18/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Cornish also based the character of the [[stoner (drug user)|stoner]] Brewis on himself in his twenties.

===Filming===
''Attack the Block'' is set in a fictional neighbourhood said in-film to be located in the [[Stockwell]] district of London. It is actually a composite of various council estates across London. Director Cornish explains:
<blockquote>
We wanted to stamp a clear layout on the audience's minds early on, and since we couldn't show an aerial shot of the estate as it doesn't exist, the way to show it was by showing this top shot of the map at the very beginning of the film.<ref>{{cite web|title=Location |url=http://www.film4.com/features/article/location-attack-the-block |work=Attack the Block Minisite |publisher=Film 4 |access-date=28 June 2012 }}{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
</blockquote>
The name Wyndham Tower appears on the left of the entrance to the fictional [[High-rise building|tower block]], referencing the English science-fiction writer [[John Wyndham]], author of the 1953 novel,'' '[[The Kraken Wakes]]' '', which similarly begins with aliens invading Earth from outer space, as well as other science-fiction monster works such as '[[The Day of the Triffids]]'. Other buildings in the estate are named for [[J. G. Ballard]], author of a number of novels set in large urban tower blocks, including ''[[High-Rise (novel)|High-Rise]]'' where mayhem breaks out in a high-rise London apartment block, and famous science fiction authors [[H. G. Wells]], [[Aldous Huxley]] and [[Douglas Adams]].

The film was shot across London from March to May 2010, with six weeks of night shoots<ref>{{cite web|title=The Look|url=http://www.film4.com/features/article/the-look-attack-the-block|work=Attack the Block minisite|publisher=Film 4|access-date=28 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111212045710/http://www.film4.com/features/article/the-look-attack-the-block|archive-date=12 December 2011}}</ref> on the [[Heygate Estate]] in [[Elephant and Castle]]; Myatts Field, Brixton; [[Oval tube station|Oval Underground station]] and the [[Bemerton Estate]] in [[Islington]]. Interior scenes were filmed at [[Three Mills Studios]] in [[Newham]], part of the [[East End of London]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Our Clients|url=http://www.3mills.com/our-clients-current-and-recent-credits.html|publisher=3Mills|access-date=28 June 2012|archive-date=15 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215063655/http://www.3mills.com/our-clients-current-and-recent-credits.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Creature effects===
The creatures began with two men in gorilla-like suits with [[animatronic]] jaws; [[post-production]] added the unearthly qualities such as the spiky fur which doesn't reflect any light, the claws, the rows of [[bioluminescent]] jaws, and even some of their movement. In total the film features over 100 effects shots, which were completed over the course of 4 months by Swedish effects house Fido.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 September 2011 |title=Creating the monsters of Attack the Block |url=http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/06/09/creating-the-monsters-of-attack-the-block/#null |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824011022/http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/06/09/creating-the-monsters-of-attack-the-block/#null |archive-date=2011-08-24 |access-date=2026-02-11 |website=3D World |language=en-US}}</ref> The creatures have no eyes, navigating their environments by echolocation and using a highly developed sense of smell to hunt and find mates. According to the DVD commentary, the echolocation noises made by the creatures were a combination of [[dolphin]] [[sonar]] mixed digitally with the grunts and snarls of dozens of other animals, and even a woman screaming.<ref>DVD commentary track {{specify|date=February 2014}}<!-- time stamp? --></ref> Some [[puppet]]s were used, such as the smaller, hairless female alien which terrified the young cast. In 2023, Cornish stated the creature designs were partly based on his pet cat who "engulfs darkness".

==Release==
===Theatrical===
[[StudioCanal]]'s British distribution company [[Optimum Releasing]] released the film in the [[United Kingdom]] on 11 May 2011. [[Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions]] acquired the distribution rights for North America and Latin America.<ref>{{cite web|title=Screen Gems to Distribute Hot Sci-Fi Film 'Attack the Block'|work=Screenrant.com|author=Rob Frappier|date=7 April 2011|url=https://screenrant.com/attack-the-block-screen-gems-robf-109679/|access-date=13 November 2019|archive-date=30 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630134310/http://screenrant.com/attack-the-block-screen-gems-robf-109679/|url-status=live}}</ref> It received a [[limited release]] in the [[United States]] on 29 July 2011 through [[Screen Gems]].<ref>{{cite web |last=McWeeny |first=Drew |url=http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/motion-captured/posts/review-midnight-movie-attack-the-block-is-an-instant-genre-classic |title=Review: Midnight movie Attack The Block is an instant genre classic |work=[[HitFix]] |date=2011-03-14 |access-date=2012-09-25 |archive-date=16 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110316115037/http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/motion-captured/posts/review-midnight-movie-attack-the-block-is-an-instant-genre-classic |url-status=live }}</ref> US distributors were concerned that American audiences might not understand the strong [[Multicultural London English|South London accents]], and may have even used subtitles if it were to be released in the United States.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/why-attack-block-needs-sxsw-167000|title=Why ''Attack the Block'' needs SXSW|publisher=Hollywoodreporter.com|date=17 March 2011|first=Borys|last=Kit|access-date=13 November 2019|archive-date=13 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113013859/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/why-attack-block-needs-sxsw-167000|url-status=live}}</ref> Cornish acknowledged this during the SXSW Q&A. When he asked the audience, "Can I ask you guys something? American distributors are nervous about language, the slang" the audience said they could understand it.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2011/03/sxsw-2011-attack-the-block-hits-austin-hard.html|title=SXSW 2011: 'Attack the Block' hits Austin hard|first=Mark|last=Olsen|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=14 March 2011|access-date=17 March 2011|archive-date=17 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110317184226/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2011/03/sxsw-2011-attack-the-block-hits-austin-hard.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Home media===
The film was released on [[DVD]] and [[Blu-ray Disc]] in the United Kingdom on 19 September 2011 and in the United States on 25 October 2011. [[Play.com]] released an exclusive Blu-ray and DVD double play edition, with a glow-in-the-dark sleeve, featuring the bio-luminescent jaws of one of the creatures.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Buy Attack The Block: Double Play |url=http://www.play.com/DVD/Blu-ray/4-/19681633/Attack-The-Block-Double-Play/Product.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225021702/http://www.play.com/DVD/Blu-ray/4-/19681633/Attack-The-Block-Double-Play/Product.html |archive-date=2012-02-25 |access-date=2026-02-11 |website=Play.com}}</ref>

===Soundtrack===
{{Main|Attack the Block (soundtrack)}}
The soundtrack was an original score composed by British electronic music group [[Basement Jaxx]], and [[Steven Price (composer)|Steven Price]], save for a few featured songs not on the soundtrack (such as the 1993 [[Hip hop music|rap]] track "[[Sound of da Police]]" by [[KRS-One]], and the 2006 [[reggae]] track "Youths Dem Cold" by [[Richie Spice]], played during the end credits). A rap song called "Get That Snitch", original to the film and rapped by the character Hi-Hatz, is featured at various times. The full song was featured on the DVD special features.

==Reception==

===Box office===
On its opening theatrical weekend in the United Kingdom in May 2011, ''Attack the Block'' took £1,133,859, putting it in third place only slightly behind American blockbusters ''[[Thor (film)|Thor]]'' and ''[[Fast Five]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk/article/17452/UK-Box-Office-May-13---May-15-2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530043733/http://www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk/article/17452/UK-Box-Office-May-13---May-15-2011 |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 May 2011 |title=UK Box Office: May&nbsp;13 – May&nbsp;15, 2011 |publisher=UK Film Council |access-date=19 May 2011 }}</ref> On a screen-by-screen basis, ''Attack the Block'' was the week's strongest performer.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13422551 | publisher=BBC News | title=Thor continues box office reign in UK and US | date=17 May 2011 | access-date=20 June 2018 | archive-date=3 January 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103071956/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13422551 | url-status=live }}</ref> In North America, the film's theatrical run began in July 2011 and was a [[box office flop]]<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://variety.com/2021/film/news/john-boyega-attack-the-block-sequel-joe-cornish-1234975015/|title = John Boyega Returning for 'Attack the Block' Sequel with Director Joe Cornish|date = 17 May 2021|access-date = 22 November 2021|archive-date = 22 November 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211122095526/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/john-boyega-attack-the-block-sequel-joe-cornish-1234975015/|url-status = live}}</ref> despite receiving overall good reviews. In [[limited release]] for less than two months with 66 cinemas at its peak, it managed to gross US$1,024,175 in North America.<ref name="Mojo">{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=attacktheblock.htm |title=Attack the Block |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] |quote=Information courtesy of Box Office Mojo. Used with permission. |access-date=5 March 2016 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304194518/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=attacktheblock.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Critical response===
{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|90|3=183|consensus=Effortlessly mixing scares, laughs, and social commentary, ''Attack the Block'' is a thrilling, briskly-paced sci-fi yarn with a distinctly British flavor.|ref=y|access-date=13 August 2025}} {{Metacritic film prose|75|27|ref=y|access-date=13 August 2025}}

The website [[Slash film]] lists ''Attack the Block'' as a "true [[cult film|cult classic]]" deserving of its own [[action figures]].<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=http://www.slashfilm.com/%E2%80%98attack-the-block%E2%80%99-review-a-genre-blending-cult-classic-in-the-making/|title='Attack The Block' Review: A Genre Blending, Cult Classic in the Making – /Film|date=29 July 2011|access-date=30 October 2012|archive-date=23 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023134031/http://www.slashfilm.com/%e2%80%98attack-the-block%e2%80%99-review-a-genre-blending-cult-classic-in-the-making/|url-status=live}}</ref> In his review, ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' critic [[Roger Ebert]] praised the film's use of character development and the performance given by Boyega.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/attack-the-block-2011|title=Attack the Block: Review|author=Ebert, Roger|author-link=Roger Ebert|publisher=Rogerebert.com|date=27 July 2011|access-date=12 December 2020|archive-date=20 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120110525/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/attack-the-block-2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Scott Wampler of ''The Examiner'' rated it A+ and said it was officially the best film of the 2011 film festival season and likened it to other debuts such as [[Neill Blomkamp]]'s ''[[District 9]]'' and [[Quentin Tarantino]]'s ''[[Reservoir Dogs]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Warmpler|first=Scott|title=SXSW 2011: ATTACK THE BLOCK Review|work=Collider |date=17 March 2011 |url=https://collider.com/attack-the-block-review/|publisher=Collider.com|access-date=31 July 2012|archive-date=22 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222174042/http://collider.com/attack-the-block-review/80991/|url-status=live}}</ref> Matt Patches writing for ''Cinemablend'' said "Attack the Block, even on its small scale, may wind up as one of the best action movies of the year".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cinemablend.com/new/SXSW-Review-Attack-The-Block-Could-Be-The-Best-Action-Movie-Of-The-Year-23620.html|title=SXSW Review: Attack The Block Could Be The Best Action Movie of the Year|work=CINEMABLEND |publisher=Cinemablend.com|date=17 March 2011|access-date=13 November 2019|archive-date=13 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113003023/https://www.cinemablend.com/new/SXSW-Review-Attack-The-Block-Could-Be-The-Best-Action-Movie-Of-The-Year-23620.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Christ Tilly at [[IGN]] gave it four stars saying "Cornish directs with the confidence of a seasoned pro" and calling the film "a blast from start-to-finish."<ref>{{cite web | first=Chris | last=Tilly | date=14 March 2011 | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/03/14/attack-the-block-review | title=Attack the Block | website=IGN | access-date=2020-06-07 | archive-date=7 June 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607184052/https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/03/14/attack-the-block-review | url-status=live }}</ref> Ben Rawson-Jones of [[Digital Spy]] awarded the movie four stars, saying that it is "exactly the kind of distinctly homegrown product that the British film industry should be making".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a318411/attack-the-block/|title=Attack the Block|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|date=9 May 2011|access-date=7 June 2020|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607184225/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a318411/attack-the-block/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Mark Kermode]] gave a mixed review saying he did not dislike the film, but "wanted it to be funnier" and "needed it to be scarier".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUsAhC-Pl4k|title=Kermode uncut: Block Rocking Meat|publisher=kermodeandmayo|date=4 September 2011|access-date=18 May 2016|archive-date=10 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510034013/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUsAhC-Pl4k|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Attack the Block'' was revisited by critics following the casting of its two lead actors as stars of flagship science fiction franchises – Boyega as [[Finn (Star Wars)|Finn]] in ''[[Star Wars]]'' and Whittaker as the [[Thirteenth Doctor]] in ''[[Doctor Who]]''. In a 2017 retrospective, Tom Philip writing for ''[[GQ]]'' described the film as "one of the most confidently-delivered debut feature films in recent memory" and said it "still stands out as one of the best genre-mashup films of the decade",<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.gq.com/story/attack-the-block-john-boyega-jodie-whittaker|title=The Movie That Launched John Boyega and Jodie Whittaker|first=Tom|last=Philip|date=24 July 2017|access-date=9 May 2018|archive-date=9 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509220620/https://www.gq.com/story/attack-the-block-john-boyega-jodie-whittaker|url-status=live}}</ref> while [[Nathan Rabin]] for [[Rotten Tomatoes]] said that the film deserved [[cult following|cult status]] and called it "a star-making vehicle in the truest sense".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/why-the-2011-sci-fi-sleeper-attack-the-block-deserves-cult-status/|title=Why the 2011 Sci-Fi Sleeper Attack the Block Deserves Cult Status|first=Nathan|last=Rabin|date=18 January 2018|access-date=9 May 2018|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|archive-date=23 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123014014/https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/why-the-2011-sci-fi-sleeper-attack-the-block-deserves-cult-status/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was listed among ''[[Wired Magazine]]''{{'}}s best films of the 2010s.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The 24 Absolute Best Movies of the 2010s |url=https://www.wired.com/story/best-movies-2010s/ |access-date=5 January 2020 |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |date=26 December 2019|archive-date=1 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101013153/https://www.wired.com/story/best-movies-2010s/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Accolades===
{{Anchor|Awards|Accolades}}
* Audience Award for Best Film (Midnights) at [[SXSW]] 2011<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bigtalkproductions.com/?p=1866 |title=Attack The Block wins Midnight Feature award for 'Best Film' at SXSW 2011 / Big Talk Productions |publisher=Bigtalkproductions.com |date=1999-02-22 |access-date=2012-09-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007034840/http://www.bigtalkproductions.com/?p=1866 |archive-date=7 October 2011}}</ref>
* Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at the [[Los Angeles Film Festival]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Makinen|first=Julie|title=L.A. Film Festival: Audience favorites coming soon to a theater near you|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2011/06/la-film-festival-winners-senna-attack-the-block-tribe-called-quest.html|access-date=29 June 2011|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=26 June 2011|quote=If you missed the festival, which wraps up Sunday, you'll soon be able to catch some of the award-winners in theaters, among them 'Attack the Block,' which won the audience award for best narrative.|archive-date=29 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629204134/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2011/06/la-film-festival-winners-senna-attack-the-block-tribe-called-quest.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Audience Award for Best European or American Feature at the 2011 [[Fantasia Festival]]<ref>{{cite news | url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/attack-block-takes-fantasia-audience-220183 | work=The Hollywood Reporter | first=Etan | last=Vlessing | title='Attack the Block' Takes Fantasia Audience Award | date=7 August 2011 | access-date=13 November 2019 | archive-date=13 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113013900/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/attack-block-takes-fantasia-audience-220183 | url-status=live }}</ref>
* Melies d'Argent for Best European Fantastic Feature Film 2011 at the Lund International Fantastic Film Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.melies.org/dargentwinners.asp |title=European Fantastic Film Festivals Federation – The home of the Méliès d'Or |publisher=Melies.org |access-date=2012-09-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120827205156/http://www.melies.org/dargentwinners.asp |archive-date=27 August 2012}}</ref>
* Muut Award for Best Visual Concept at the 2011 Miskolc International Film Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bigtalkproductions.com/?p=2226 |title=Attack the Block Scores Twice with European Film Festival Awards / Big Talk Productions |publisher=Bigtalkproductions.com |date=1999-02-22 |access-date=2012-09-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111214062558/http://www.bigtalkproductions.com/?p=2226 |archive-date=14 December 2011}}</ref>
* Bassan Arts and Crafts Award for Best Production Design at the [[Torino Film Festival]] 2011<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.torinofilmfest.org/?action=article&id=286 |title=TFF |publisher=Torinofilmfest.org |access-date=2012-09-25 |archive-date=14 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114160117/http://www.torinofilmfest.org/?action=article&id=286 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Golden Mouse Online Critics Award for Best Film at the [[Torino Film Festival]] 2011<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cineblog.it/post/32875/torino-2011-attack-the-block-vince-il-mouse-doro |title=Attack the Block vince il Mouse d'Oro |publisher=Cineblog.it |date=2012-03-10 |access-date=2012-09-25 |archive-date=4 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204082705/http://www.cineblog.it/post/32875/torino-2011-attack-the-block-vince-il-mouse-doro |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Best Debut Director at the 2011 [[New York Film Critics Online]] Awards
* Best First Feature at the 2011 [[Toronto Film Critics Association]] Awards<ref>{{cite web |last=Kay |first=Jeremy |url=http://www.screendaily.com/awards/other-awards/toronto-critics-honour-tree-of-life-with-best-film-director/5035785.article |title=Toronto critics honour Tree of Life with best film, director &#124; News &#124; Screen |publisher=Screendaily.com |date=2011-12-14 |access-date=2012-09-25 |archive-date=25 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125091355/http://www.screendaily.com/awards/other-awards/toronto-critics-honour-tree-of-life-with-best-film-director/5035785.article |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Best Original Soundtrack at the 2011 [[Sitges Film Festival]]<ref name="dreadcentral">{{cite web |date=12 September 2013 |title=Sitges 2011: Winners Announced; Red State and Attack the Block Score Multiple Awards |url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/27772/sitges-2011-winners-announced-red-state-and-attack-the-block-score-multiple-awards/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002115423/https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/27772/sitges-2011-winners-announced-red-state-and-attack-the-block-score-multiple-awards/ |archive-date=2 October 2015 |access-date=11 February 2026 |publisher=DreadCentral}}</ref>
* Special Jury Award at the 2011 [[Sitges Film Festival]]<ref name="dreadcentral" />
* Audience Award for Best Motion Picture at the 2011 [[Sitges Film Festival]]<ref name="dreadcentral" />
* Jose Luis Guarner Critic Award at the 2011 [[Sitges Film Festival]]<ref name="dreadcentral" />
* Special Mention at the 2011 Black Film Critics Circle Awards: "''Attack The Block'' is a genre film that defies a number of conventions, not only by having a primarily black cast but portraying each character with a dignity seldom seen on screen and even more rarely in a Science-Fiction film."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blackfilmcriticscircle.org/ |title=Black Film Critics Circle |publisher=Black Film Critics Circle |access-date=2012-09-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414092445/http://blackfilmcriticscircle.org/ |archive-date=14 April 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Best First Film at the 2011 [[Austin Film Critics Association]] Awards<ref name="austinfilmcritics">{{cite web|url=http://austinfilmcritics.org/2011.html |title=2011 Awards |publisher=Austinfilmcritics.org |date=2011-12-28 |access-date=2012-09-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426090756/http://austinfilmcritics.org/2011.html |archive-date=26 April 2012 }}</ref>
* Best Original Score at the 2011 [[Austin Film Critics Association]] Awards<ref name="austinfilmcritics"/>
* Best Actor to John Boyega at the 2011 [[Black Reel Awards]]<ref name="wordpress1">{{cite web |url=http://blackreelawards.wordpress.com/2012/02/10/1168/#more-1168 |title=The Help Cleans Up at the Black Reel Awards « The Black Reel Awards |date=10 February 2012 |publisher=Blackreelawards.wordpress.com |access-date=2012-09-25 |archive-date=13 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213024804/http://blackreelawards.wordpress.com/2012/02/10/1168/#more-1168 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Outstanding Foreign Film at the 2011 [[Black Reel Awards]]<ref name="wordpress1"/>

==Sequel==
In May 2021, it was announced that Cornish would be writing and directing a sequel, with Boyega set to reprise his role and produce.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fleming Jr. |first1=Mike |title=John Boyega Set To Reunite With Joe Cornish For 'Attack The Block 2' |url=https://deadline.com/2021/05/attack-the-block-2-sequel-john-boyega-joe-cornish-reunite-nira-park-studio-canal-film4-cult-classic-1234758463/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=17 May 2021 |access-date=24 September 2025 |archive-date=17 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517235510/https://deadline.com/2021/05/attack-the-block-2-sequel-john-boyega-joe-cornish-reunite-nira-park-studio-canal-film4-cult-classic-1234758463/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Boyega confirmed in May 2025 that the script had been completed.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gearan |first1=Hannah |title="I've Read It, Man": John Boyega Explains Attack The Block 2's Delayed Development (& Hints The Wait Is Nearly Over)|url=https://screenrant.com/attack-the-block-2-movie-delay-john-boyega-explained/ |website=[[Screen Rant]] |date=12 May 2025 |access-date=24 September 2025 }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title}}

{{Adam and Joe}}
{{Basement Jaxx}}
{{Black Reel Award for Outstanding Foreign Film}}
{{TFCA Award for Best First Feature}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Attack The Block}}
[[Category:2011 comedy horror films]]
[[Category:2011 directorial debut films]]
[[Category:2011 science fiction horror films]]
[[Category:2011 British films]]
[[Category:2011 English-language films]]
[[Category:2010s hood films]]
[[Category:2010s monster movies]]
[[Category:2010s science fiction comedy films]]
[[Category:Monster movies about extraterrestrial life]]
[[Category:Black British films]]
[[Category:British action comedy films]]
[[Category:British action horror films]]
[[Category:British comedy horror films]]
[[Category:British coming-of-age comedy films]]
[[Category:British crime action films]]
[[Category:British crime comedy films]]
[[Category:British crime horror films]]
[[Category:British films about cannabis]]
[[Category:British films about extraterrestrial life]]
[[Category:British gangster films]]
[[Category:British independent films]]
[[Category:British monster movies]]
[[Category:British science fiction action films]]
[[Category:British science fiction comedy films]]
[[Category:British science fiction horror films]]
[[Category:British teen comedy films]]
[[Category:British teen horror films]]
[[Category:Hood comedy films]]
[[Category:Teen crime films]]
[[Category:English-language action comedy films]]
[[Category:English-language comedy horror films]]
[[Category:English-language crime films]]
[[Category:English-language science fiction comedy films]]
[[Category:English-language science fiction horror films]]
[[Category:Films about alien invasions]]
[[Category:Films about juvenile delinquency]]
[[Category:Films directed by Joe Cornish]]
[[Category:Films produced by Nira Park]]
[[Category:Films set in apartment buildings]]
[[Category:Films set in London]]
[[Category:Films shot in London]]
[[Category:Big Talk Productions films]]
[[Category:Film4 Productions films]]
[[Category:UK Film Council films]]
[[Category:StudioCanal films]]
[[Category:Screen Gems films]]
[[Category:Stage 6 Films films]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Joe Cornish]]
[[Category:Films scored by Steven Price]]
[[Category:2011 films]]

{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=Attack the Block|access_date=2026-02-26}}