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Trailer

The Cider House Rules

1999Movie2 h 6 minPG-13

Drama
73
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb7.4Letterboxd3.5/5Metacritic757.7Rotten Tomatoes72%77%

A deeply moving, nostalgic drama movie about growing up and family, with standout performances and characters.

Good for date night · family movie night · friends night

Skip it if you want fast pacing · you want dark or edgy material

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Not for scares, laughs or adrenaline.

Movies with

Story

A story about how far we must travel to find the place where we belong.

Homer is an orphan who was never adopted, becoming the favorite of orphanage director Dr. Larch. Dr. Larch imparts his full medical knowledge on Homer, who becomes a skilled, albeit unlicensed, physician. But Homer yearns for a self-chosen life outside the orphanage. What will Homer learn about life and love in the cider house? What of the destiny that Dr. Larch has planned for him?

Feels like

  • Poignant Coming-of-Age Drama
  • Found Family Narrative
  • Mid-Century Americana
  • Medical Ethics & Morality
  • Gentle & Reflective Tone
  • Strong Ensemble Acting
  • Nostalgic Atmosphere
  • Emotional Catharsis
  • Rural Setting Focus

Cast

24 of 24

Crew

Directed by
Lasse Hallström
Written by
John Irving
Produced by
Alan C. Blomquist, Lila Yacoub, Richard N. Gladstein
Music by
Rachel Portman

Everyone

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

Facts

December 17, 1999 · 2 h 6 min · PG-13

Released
December 17, 1999
Runtime
2 h 6 min
Age rating
PG-13
Content
Sexual Content, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Drama
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Budget
$24 million
Box office
$89 million
Available in
70 countries
Keywords
based on novel or book

Tropes

The Talk, Bittersweet Ending, Shout-Out +9

  • The Talk
  • Bittersweet Ending
  • Shout-Out
  • Refusal of the Call
  • Mission from God
  • He Knows Too Much
  • Catchphrase
  • Open Secret
  • What the Hell, Hero?
  • Incest-ant Admirer
  • Even Evil Has Loved Ones
  • O.O.C. Is Serious Business

12 of 52 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream The Cider House Rules?"

Questions about The Cider House Rules

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Cider House Rules?

fuboTVMGM+Philo

In the United States, The Cider House Rules streams on fuboTV, MGM+, and Philo. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, JustWatch TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 10 other countries.

Is The Cider House Rules worth watching?

73
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 73 (IMDb 7.4, Letterboxd 3.5 out of 5, Rotten Tomatoes 72%, and Metacritic 75).

Is The Cider House Rules okay for kids?

PG-13Sexual contentDisturbing imagery

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

Is The Cider House Rules plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (9 of 10) and pathos (9 of 10) more than on its plot.

Is The Cider House Rules good for date night?

and 4 moreDate NightPartner WatchAdultsFamily Movie NightFriends Night

Yes: romance is 7 of 10, and the viewing guide lists it for date night.

Was The Cider House Rules a box office hit?

Budget$24 million
Box office$89 million

Yes: it cost about $24 million to make and earned $89 million worldwide, 3.7 times its budget.

What tropes does The Cider House Rules use?

The TalkBittersweet EndingShout-OutRefusal of the CallMission from GodHe Knows Too MuchCatchphraseOpen SecretWhat the Hell, Hero?Incest-ant AdmirerEven Evil Has Loved OnesO.O.C. Is Serious Businessand 40 more

TV Tropes lists 52 tropes for it, including The Talk, Bittersweet Ending, and Shout-Out.