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Awakenings

1990·Movie
2h 0min·PG-13
79
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.8Metacritic748.1Rotten Tomatoes81%89%
IMDb7.8Metacritic748.1Rotten Tomatoes81%89%

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Awakenings fingerprint

Big heart, strong craft, low-key.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Tension5
  • Spectacle4
  • Adrenaline3

Heart

Deeply moving and hopeful

  • Pathos9
  • Hopefulness8
  • Catharsis8

Humor

Some sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay5
  • Situational Comedy2
  • Physical Comedy1

World

A real life story, everyday modern life, and the mind

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout performances, characters, and direction

  • Acting9
  • Character Depth9
  • Direction8

Style

Standout score

  • Music Composition8
  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensComfort WatchThought-Provoking

Find more like it

Motivational moviesAtmospheric movies

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

There is no such thing as a simple miracle.

Dr. Malcolm Sayer, a shy research physician, uses an experimental drug to "awaken" the catatonic victims of a rare disease. Leonard is the first patient to receive the controversial treatment. His awakening, filled with awe and enthusiasm, proves a rebirth for Sayer too, as the exuberant patient reveals life's simple but unutterably sweet pleasures to the introverted doctor.
Medical DramaBiographical AdaptationCharacter-DrivenHope and HealingPoignant and EmotionalStrong PerformancesHuman ConnectionPersonal GrowthNeurological Condition

Crew

Directed by:
Penny Marshall, Sheila Paige, Glen Trotiner
Written by:
Steven Zaillian, Oliver Sacks
Produced by:
Penny Marshall, Lawrence Lasker, Bonnie Timmermann
Composed by:
Randy Newman, John Morris, Gary C. Bourgeois

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Awakenings

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Awakenings legally?

FawesomeTubi TV

You can watch it free with ads on Fawesome and Tubi TV. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Awakenings worth watching?

79
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 79/100 (IMDb 7.8, Rotten Tomatoes 81%, and Metacritic 74). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Awakenings rated?

PG-13

It's rated PG-13 in the United States.

How long is Awakenings?

2 h 0 min

Awakenings runs 2 h 0 min.

Is Awakenings based on a true story?

Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.

Do critics and audiences agree on Awakenings?

Critics78
Audiences83

Yes. Critics average 78 and audiences 83 out of 100, so both groups see Awakenings much the same way.

Was Awakenings a box office hit?

Budget$31 million
Box office$52 million

Roughly broke even. It cost about $31 million to make and earned $52 million worldwide, 1.7 times its budget.

What language is Awakenings in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Awakenings?

94ADAEALAOARATAUAZBABEBFBGBOBR+80

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Awakenings in 94 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Awakenings use?

Adaptational SexualityAnd I Must ScreamBased on a True StoryBittersweet EndingBrick JokeCloud Cuckoo LanderFish out of Temporal WaterThe Future Is ShockingRip Van WinklePrecision F-StrikeNot That Kind of DoctorSpotting the Threadand 7 more

TV Tropes lists 19 storytelling tropes for Awakenings, including Adaptational Sexuality, And I Must Scream, Based on a True Story.