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Trailer

I Am Sam

2001Movie2 h 12 minPG-13

Drama
53
MediocreGoodWatch score
IMDb7.6Metacritic286.5Rotten Tomatoes35%86%

A deeply moving, heartwarming drama movie about family and everyday modern life, with standout performances.

Good for family movie night · kids · teens

Skip it if you want something to laugh at · you want dark or edgy material

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for laughs, scares or adrenaline.

Movies with

Story

Love is all you need.

Sam, a neurodivergent man, has a daughter with a homeless woman who abandons them when they leave the hospital, leaving Sam to raise Lucy on his own. But as Lucy grows up, Sam's limitations as a parent start to become a problem and the authorities take her away. Sam convinces high-priced lawyer Rita to take his case pro bono and in turn teaches her the value of love and family.

Feels like

  • Heartbreaking Drama
  • Parental Love Story
  • Neurodivergent Representation
  • Tearjerker
  • Beatles Tribute Soundtrack
  • Emotional Catharsis
  • Legal Battle for Custody
  • Innocence vs. Society
  • Sean Penn Performance

Cast

24 of 35

Crew

Directed by
Jessie Nelson
Written by
Jessie Nelson, Kristine Johnson
Produced by
Jessie Nelson, Edward Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz
Music by
John Powell

Everyone

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

Facts

December 28, 2001 · 2 h 12 min · PG-13

Released
December 28, 2001
Runtime
2 h 12 min
Age rating
PG-13
Content
Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Drama
Original language
English
Made in
United States, Germany
Budget
$22 million
Box office
$93 million
Available in
39 countries

Tropes

Fake Static, Defrosting Ice Queen, O.O.C. Is Serious Business +9

  • Fake Static
  • Defrosting Ice Queen
  • O.O.C. Is Serious Business
  • Rule of Three
  • Children Raise You
  • Hollywood Law
  • Time-Shifted Actor
  • Manchild
  • Lying to Protect Your Feelings
  • Ragtag Bunch of Misfits
  • The Runaway
  • Realistic Diction Is Unrealistic

12 of 66 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream I Am Sam?"

Questions about I Am Sam

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream I Am Sam?

The RokuPlexTubi TVHowdy

In the United States, I Am Sam streams on Howdy, and it is free with ads on The Roku, Plex, and Tubi TV. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, and Spectrum On Demand. It also streams in 6 other countries.

Is I Am Sam worth watching?

53
MediocreGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 53 (IMDb 7.6, Rotten Tomatoes 35%, and Metacritic 28). Audiences rate it higher (76 out of 100) than critics (32).

Is I Am Sam 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.

Is I Am Sam plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on pathos (10 of 10) and character depth (8 of 10) more than on its plot.

Will I feel good after watching I Am Sam?

BleakHopeful

Yes, it's an uplifting movie: the title analysis rates it 9 of 10 for wholesome and 8 for hopefulness.

Was I Am Sam a box office hit?

Budget$22 million
Box office$93 million

Yes: it cost about $22 million to make and earned $93 million worldwide, 4.2 times its budget.

What tropes does I Am Sam use?

Fake StaticDefrosting Ice QueenO.O.C. Is Serious BusinessRule of ThreeChildren Raise YouHollywood LawTime-Shifted ActorManchildLying to Protect Your FeelingsRagtag Bunch of MisfitsThe RunawayRealistic Diction Is Unrealisticand 54 more

TV Tropes lists 66 tropes for it, including Fake Static, Defrosting Ice Queen, and O.O.C. Is Serious Business.