Claim: Abigail Breslin starred in a movie.

Signs is a 2002 American science fiction thriller film written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan and executive produced by Shyamalan , Frank Marshall , Kathleen Kennedy and Sam Mercer . A joint collective effort to commit to the film 's production was made by Blinding Edge Pictures and The Kennedy/Marshall Company . It was commercially distributed by Touchstone Pictures theatrically , and by Touchstone Home Entertainment in home media format . Its story focuses on a former Episcopal priest named Graham Hess , played by Mel Gibson , who discovers a series of crop circles in his cornfield . Hess slowly discovers that the phenomena are a result of extraterrestrial life . It also stars Joaquin Phoenix , Rory Culkin , and Abigail Breslin . Signs explores faith , kinship , and extraterrestrials .   Following its premiere in theatres nationwide on August 2 , 2002 , the film grossed $ 227,966,634 in domestic ticket receipts screening at 3,453 theatres during its widest release . It earned an additional $ 180,281,283 in business through international release , to top out at a combined $ 408,247,917 in gross revenue . The film was nominated for multiple awards , including those from the Online Film Critics Society and the Empire Awards . The film also won an award from the American Society of Composers , Authors and Publishers . Considering its $ 72 million budget costs , the film was considered a strong financial success after its theatrical run , and was met with positive reviews from critics , with some praising its atmosphere and story but others criticizing aspects of the script . The high-definition Blu-ray Disc edition of the film featuring the director 's audio commentary , the making of the film , and deleted scenes was released in the United States on June 3 , 2008 . The original motion picture soundtrack , which was composed by James Newton Howard , was released on the opening day by the Hollywood Records label .