The City Dark (2012): cast, story & where to watch
2012 · Film · ★ 7.8
Released in 2012, The City Dark is a documentary film directed by Ian Cheney, running about 83 minutes. “A search for night on a planet that never sleeps” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. THE CITY DARK is a feature documentary about the loss of night. After moving to NYC from rural Maine, filmmaker Ian Cheney asks a simple question - do we need the stars? - taking him from Brooklyn to Mauna Kea, Paris, and beyond. Exploring the threat of killer asteroids in Hawaii, tracking hatching turtles along the Florida coast, and rescuing injured birds on Chicago streets, Cheney unravels the myriad implications of a globe glittering with lights - including increased breast cancer rates from exposure to light at night, and a generation of kids without a glimpse of the universe above. Featuring stunning astrophotography and a cast of eclectic scientists, THE CITY DARK is the definitive story of light pollution and the disappearing stars. Written by Wicked Delicate Films
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.8/10, The City Dark has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on OVID. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The City Dark page.
If you liked it. Fans of The City Dark tend to enjoy One Direction: This Is Us, Burn the Stage: The Movie, BTS World Tour: Love Yourself - Japan Edition and Senna.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The City Dark (2012)?
- In US, The City Dark is available to stream on OVID. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The City Dark worth watching?
- The City Dark holds an audience score of 7.8 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy documentary. Most viewers rate it highly.
- When was The City Dark released?
- The City Dark was released in 2012, with a runtime of about 83 minutes.