Sign in Sign up

Trailer

Patch Adams

1998Movie1 h 55 minPG-13

46

MediocreGoodWatch score

46

MediocreGoodWatch score

Letterboxd

Rotten Tomatoes

Summary

The true story of Dr. Hunter "Patch" Adams, who in the 1970s found that humor is the best medicine, and was willing to do just anything to make his patients laugh—even if it meant risking his own career.

Good for

Date night
Family movie night
Friends night

Skip it if

You want dark or edgy material

Where to watch

Set your services

Fingerprint

Not for scares, brutality or adrenaline.

Movies with

Crew

Directed by: Tom Shadyac
Written by: Steve Oedekerk, Patch Adams
Produced by: Mike Farrell, Barry Kemp, Charles Newirth
Music by: Marc Shaiman

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

December 25, 1998 · 1 h 55 min · PG-13

Released: December 25, 1998
Runtime: 1 h 55 min
Age rating: PG-13
Content: Disturbing Imagery
Genres: Comedy, Drama
Original language: English
Made in: United States
Budget: $50 million
Box office: $202 million
Available in: 84 countries
Keywords: based on novel or book, based on true story

Tropes

The Lancer, Rape as Backstory, Artistic License – Biology +9

12 of 40 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream Patch Adams?"

Questions about Patch Adams

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Patch Adams?

In the United States, you can rent or buy Patch Adams from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It streams in 8 other countries, but not in the United States.

Is Patch Adams worth watching?

46

MediocreGoodWatch score

Reviews are weak, with a GoodWatch score of 46 (IMDb 6.9, Letterboxd 3.5 out of 5, Rotten Tomatoes 22%, and Metacritic 26). Audiences rate it higher (68 out of 100) than critics (24).

Is Patch Adams okay for kids?

PG-13Disturbing imagery

Yes: it's rated PG-13 in the United States for disturbing imagery, and the viewing guide lists it for kids.

Will Patch Adams make me laugh?

Light

Now and then: the humor is mostly situational comedy (6 of 10) and slapstick (5 of 10).

Will I feel good after watching Patch Adams?

BleakHopeful

Yes, it's an uplifting movie: the title analysis rates it 9 of 10 for hopefulness and 9 for wholesome.

Was Patch Adams a box office hit?

Budget$50 million

Box office$202 million

Yes: it cost about $50 million to make and earned $202 million worldwide, 4.0 times its budget.

What tropes does Patch Adams use?

The LancerRape as BackstoryArtistic License – BiologyIdiot BallHumans Are BastardsLampshade HangingMurder-SuicideReal Tragedy, Fictional VictimBlack-and-White MoralityAlone with the PsychoGender FlipHeel–Face Turnand 28 more

TV Tropes lists 40 tropes for it, including The Lancer, Rape as Backstory, and Artistic License – Biology.