Powers of Ten

Powers of Ten

Directed by Ray Eames, Charles Eames

Produced by International Business Machines (IBM), Office of Charles & Ray Eames

19779 min7.7 / 10

A meditative scientific essay that uses a cosmic zoom to reveal the interconnected scales of existence, from the universe to the subatomic, evoking wonder and philosophical reflection.

A scientific film essay, narrated by Phil Morrison. A set of pictures of two picnickers in a park, with the area of each frame one-tenth the size of the one before. Starting from a view of the entire known universe, the camera gradually zooms in until we are viewing the subatomic particles on a man's hand.

Questions people ask

  • Is Powers of Ten scary? No. Less frightening than 98% of films.

  • Is Powers of Ten violent? No. Less violent than 92% of films.

  • Is Powers of Ten sad? Barely. Less sad than 89% of films.

  • Is Powers of Ten easy watching? Somewhat. More comforting than 71% of films.

  • Does Powers of Ten end with hope? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

93/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

There is almost nothing else like this.

Rarity98

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise90

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love93

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Like Powers of Ten

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as Powers of Ten

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like Powers of Ten, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like Powers of Ten, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like Powers of Ten, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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