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Bright Lights, Big City

1988·Movie
1h 47min·R
IMDb5.7Metacritic51–Rotten Tomatoes59%38%

Where to watch

fuboTVMGM+PhiloHooplaPluto TV

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

Bright Lights, Big City fingerprint

High energy, striking style, light on feelings.

Energy

Tense and fast-paced

Fast from start to finish.

  • Tension7
  • Fast Pace7
  • Adrenaline6

Heart

Melancholic

  • Melancholy8
  • Pathos6
  • Nostalgia5

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay4
  • Dark Humor3
  • Cringe Humor2

World

Everyday modern life, pop culture, and the mind

  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • World Immersion7
  • Novelty6

Craft

Standout performances and characters

  • Acting8
  • Character Depth8
  • Direction7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightSolo WatchDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You need an uplifting mood

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

About

It's 6.00 am. Do you know where you are?

A disillusioned young writer living in New York City turns to drugs and drinking to block out the memories of his dead mother and estranged wife.
New York CityDrug UseEstranged WifeMelancholyLiterary Adaptation1980sDownward SpiralCharacter StudyUrban Drama

Crew

Directed by:
James Bridges
Written by:
Jay McInerney, Jay McInerney
Produced by:
Sydney Pollack, Michael Badalucco, Gerald R. Molen
Composed by:
Donald Fagen, Donald Fagen

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Bright Lights, Big City

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Bright Lights, Big City legally?

fuboTVMGM+PhiloHooplaPluto TVScreenPixTubi TV

Bright Lights, Big City is included with a subscription to fuboTV, Philo, and MGM+ in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Hoopla, Pluto TV, and YouTube Free. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Bright Lights, Big City worth watching?

46
MediocreGoodWatch score

Reviews are weak, with a GoodWatch score of 47/100 (IMDb 5.7, Rotten Tomatoes 59%, and Metacritic 51). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Bright Lights, Big City rated?

RDrug useStrong languageSexual content

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: drug use, strong language, and sexual content.

How long is Bright Lights, Big City?

1 h 47 min

Bright Lights, Big City runs 1 h 47 min.

Is Bright Lights, Big City based on a true story?

No. It's adapted from a novel.

Do critics and audiences agree on Bright Lights, Big City?

Critics55
Audiences48

Yes. Critics average 55 and audiences 48 out of 100, so both groups see Bright Lights, Big City much the same way.

Was Bright Lights, Big City a box office hit?

Budget$25 million
Box office$16 million

No. It cost about $25 million to make and earned $16 million worldwide, 64% of its budget.

What language is Bright Lights, Big City in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in Japan, United States.

In how many countries can I watch Bright Lights, Big City?

2CAUS

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Bright Lights, Big City in 2 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Bright Lights, Big City use?

A Threesome Is HotThe AlcoholicDeadly NosebleedBig ApplesauceTrain EscapeFunctional AddictNamed by the AdaptationTitled After the SongContemplative Boss

TV Tropes lists 9 storytelling tropes for Bright Lights, Big City, including A Threesome Is Hot, The Alcoholic, Deadly Nosebleed.