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Trailer

Pay It Forward

2000Movie2 h 2 minPG-13

Drama
55
DecentGoodWatch score
IMDb7.2Metacritic406.7Rotten Tomatoes39%77%

A heartwarming, uplifting drama movie about everyday modern life and family.

Good for date night · family movie night · friends night

Skip it if you want dark or edgy material

Where to watch

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Not for scares, laughs or adrenaline.

Movies with

Story

When someone does you a big favor, don't pay it back...

Like some other kids, 12-year-old Trevor McKinney believed in the goodness of human nature. Like many other kids, he was determined to change the world for the better. Unlike most other kids, he succeeded.

Feels like

  • Inspirational Drama
  • Heartwarming
  • Altruistic Philosophy
  • Emotional Tearjerker
  • Family Bonds
  • Social Experiment
  • Uplifting Message
  • Melodramatic Tone
  • Coming-of-Age Idealism

Cast

24 of 28

Crew

Directed by
Mimi Leder
Written by
Leslie Dixon, Catherine Ryan Hyde
Produced by
Robert L. Levy, Peter Abrams, Steven Reuther
Music by
Thomas Newman

Everyone

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

Facts

October 20, 2000 · 2 h 2 min · PG-13

Released
October 20, 2000
Runtime
2 h 2 min
Age rating
PG-13
Content
Violence, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Drama
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Budget
$40 million
Box office
$56 million
Available in
54 countries

Tropes

Interrupted Suicide, Dies Differently in Adaptation, Jerk with a Heart of Gold +9

  • Interrupted Suicide
  • Dies Differently in Adaptation
  • Jerk with a Heart of Gold
  • Cannot Spit It Out
  • Intrepid Reporter
  • Casual Car Giveaway
  • How We Got Here
  • "Ray of Hope" Ending
  • Reliably Unreliable Guns
  • No Name Given
  • Floating Head Syndrome
  • The Hero Dies

12 of 55 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream Pay It Forward?"

Questions about Pay It Forward

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Pay It Forward?

Howdy

In the United States, Pay It Forward streams on Howdy. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 10 other countries.

Is Pay It Forward worth watching?

55
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 55 (IMDb 7.2, Rotten Tomatoes 39%, and Metacritic 40). Audiences rate it higher (72 out of 100) than critics (40).

Is Pay It Forward okay for kids?

PG-13ViolenceDisturbing imagery

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

Will I feel good after watching Pay It Forward?

BleakHopeful

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

Is Pay It Forward good for date night?

and 5 moreDate NightPartner WatchAdultsFamily Movie NightFriends Night

Yes: romance is 6 of 10, and the viewing guide lists it for date night.

What tropes does Pay It Forward use?

Interrupted SuicideDies Differently in AdaptationJerk with a Heart of GoldCannot Spit It OutIntrepid ReporterCasual Car GiveawayHow We Got Here"Ray of Hope" EndingReliably Unreliable GunsNo Name GivenFloating Head SyndromeThe Hero Diesand 43 more

TV Tropes lists 55 tropes for it, including Interrupted Suicide, Dies Differently in Adaptation, and Jerk with a Heart of Gold.