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Breaking Away

1979·Movie
1h 41min·PG

Where to watch

No stream option in US yet.

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

What's your score?

Your score

Breaking Away fingerprint

Big heart, strong craft.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Adrenaline6
  • Fast Pace6
  • Tension4

Heart

Wholesome and romantic

Much of it is about growing up and family.

  • Coming of Age9
  • Wholesome8
  • Romance7

Humor

Some situational comedy

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Situational Comedy6
  • Wit & Wordplay4
  • Physical Comedy3

World

Everyday modern life, sports, and growing up

  • World Immersion7
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout performances and characters

  • Acting8
  • Character Depth8
  • Direction7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Music Composition7
  • Editing6

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFamily Movie NightFriends NightParty VibeIntergenerationalKidsPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyPure EscapismThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You want dark or edgy material

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

About

The movie that tells you exactly what you can do with your high school diploma!

Dave, nineteen, has just graduated high school, with his three friends: the comical Cyril, the warm hearted but short-tempered Moocher, and the athletic, spiteful but good-hearted Mike. Now, Dave enjoys racing bikes and hopes to race the Italians one day, and even takes up the Italian culture, much to his friends' and parents' annoyance.
Coming-of-AgeSmall-Town AmericaBicycle RacingFriendshipClass ConflictWorking ClassItalian CultureUnderdog StoryHeartwarming

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Breaking Away

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Breaking Away legally?

You can 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 Breaking Away worth watching?

86
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 87/100 (IMDb 7.7, Rotten Tomatoes 95%, and Metacritic 91). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Breaking Away rated?

PG

It's rated PG in the United States.

How long is Breaking Away?

1 h 41 min

Breaking Away runs 1 h 41 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Breaking Away?

Critics93
Audiences83

Not quite. Critics rate Breaking Away higher (93) than audiences (83). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

Was Breaking Away a box office hit?

Budget$2 million
Box office$20 million

Yes, a big one. It cost about $2 million to make and earned $20 million worldwide, 8.7 times its budget.

What language is Breaking Away in?

EnglishItalianFrench

It was made in English, with some Italian, French. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Breaking Away?

55AEARATAUAZBEBGCACHCLCOCVCYCZ+41

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Breaking Away in 55 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Breaking Away use?

Beta CoupleI Have No Son!My Friends... and ZoidbergOnly Known by Their NicknameGreen-Eyed MonsterCynicism CatalystBig-Lipped Alligator MomentGratuitous ItalianBroken PedestalPublic Domain SoundtrackDeterminatorDiner Brawland 39 more

TV Tropes lists 51 storytelling tropes for Breaking Away, including Beta Couple, I Have No Son!, My Friends... and Zoidberg.