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The Boy Who Could Fly

1986·Movie
1h 54min·PG

Where to watch

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

What's your score?

Your score

The Boy Who Could Fly fingerprint

Big heart, strong craft, a touch of humor.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension6
  • Spectacle6
  • Adrenaline5

Heart

Hopeful and cathartic

Much of it is about growing up and family.

  • Hopefulness8
  • Catharsis8
  • Coming of Age8

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Physical Comedy3
  • Situational Comedy2

World

Everyday modern life, growing up, and the mind

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout characters and performances

  • Character Depth9
  • Acting8
  • Intrigue8

Style

Standout score

  • Music Composition8
  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7

Who it's for

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

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

About

A very special love. And a very special magic. But is it real magic or just an illusion?

Milly and Louis, and their recently-widowed mom, Charlene, move to a new neighborhood. Once there, they all deal with a variety of personal problems, but Milly finds a friend in Eric, her autistic next door neighbor. Eric has a fascination with flight, and as the story progresses, he exerts an enthralling force of change on all those around him.
Magical RealismComing-of-AgeEmotional HealingOutsider PerspectiveFriendshipHope and TransformationInspirationalNostalgic Vibe

Crew

Directed by:
Written by:
Composed by:

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Boy Who Could Fly

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Boy Who Could Fly legally?

You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy and YouTube Free. 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 The Boy Who Could Fly worth watching?

56
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 56/100 (IMDb 6.6, Rotten Tomatoes 59%, and Metacritic 67). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Boy Who Could Fly rated?

PG

It's rated PG in the United States.

How long is The Boy Who Could Fly?

1 h 54 min

The Boy Who Could Fly runs 1 h 54 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Boy Who Could Fly?

Critics63
Audiences68

Yes. Critics average 63 and audiences 68 out of 100, so both groups see The Boy Who Could Fly much the same way.

What language is The Boy Who Could Fly in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Boy Who Could Fly?

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GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Boy Who Could Fly in 31 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Boy Who Could Fly use?

Don't Try This at HomeBrooding Boy, Gentle GirlBig Damn HeroesAlcoholic ParentSecretly DyingDriven to SuicideMeaningful NamePuppy-Dog EyesThe Noun Who VerbedThe VoicelessSpoiler TitleSuicidal "Gotcha!"and 11 more

TV Tropes lists 23 storytelling tropes for The Boy Who Could Fly, including Don't Try This at Home, Brooding Boy, Gentle Girl, Big Damn Heroes.