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Trailer

That Thing You Do!

1996Movie1 h 48 minPG

ComedyDrama
77
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.0Letterboxd3.6/5Metacritic717.1Rotten Tomatoes93%78%

A nostalgic, heartwarming comedy movie about show business and history, with standout score and world-building.

Good for date night · family movie night · friends night

Skip it if you want dark or edgy material

Where to watch

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Not for scares, brutality or big ideas.

Movies with

Story

The Fab Four without the Mop Tops

A Pennsylvania band scores a hit in 1964 and rides the star-making machinery as long as it can, with lots of help from its manager. But behind the scenes, the group’s sudden fame tests their strength, their maturity and responsibility, and their ability to resist the temptations that money and notoriety always make possible.

Feels like

  • Feel-Good Musical Comedy
  • 1960s Nostalgia Trip
  • Tom Hanks Directorial Debut
  • Satire of Music Industry
  • Infectious Original Soundtrack
  • Charming Ensemble Cast
  • Light-Hearted Coming-of-Age
  • Retro Aesthetic
  • Comfort Movie Classic

Cast

24 of 44

Crew

Directed by
Tom Hanks
Written by
Tom Hanks
Produced by
Jonathan Demme, Gary Goetzman, Edward Saxon
Music by
Howard Shore, Adam Schlesinger

Everyone

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

Facts

October 4, 1996 · 1 h 48 min · PG

Released
October 4, 1996
Runtime
1 h 48 min
Age rating
PG
Genres
Comedy, Drama, Music
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Budget
$26 million
Box office
$35 million
Available in
43 countries

Tropes

Running Gag, Lovely Assistant, Insufferable Genius +9

  • Running Gag
  • Lovely Assistant
  • Insufferable Genius
  • Detective Drama
  • Stealing the Credit
  • Foil
  • Bad Boss
  • Title Theme Tune
  • Hospital Hottie
  • Gender-Equal Ensemble
  • Green-Eyed Monster
  • Groupie Brigade

12 of 108 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream That Thing You Do!?"

Questions about That Thing You Do!

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream That Thing You Do!?

Pluto TV

In the United States, That Thing You Do! is free with ads on Pluto TV. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 6 other countries.

Is That Thing You Do! worth watching?

77
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 77 (IMDb 7, Letterboxd 3.6 out of 5, Rotten Tomatoes 93%, and Metacritic 71).

Is That Thing You Do! okay for kids?

PG

Yes: it's rated PG in the United States, and the viewing guide lists it for kids.

Will That Thing You Do! make me laugh?

Funny

Yes: the humor is mostly situational comedy (8 of 10) and sharp wit (7 of 10).

Will I feel good after watching That Thing You Do!?

BleakHopeful

Yes, it's an uplifting movie: the title analysis rates it 9 of 10 for wholesome and 8 for hopefulness.

What tropes does That Thing You Do! use?

Running GagLovely AssistantInsufferable GeniusDetective DramaStealing the CreditFoilBad BossTitle Theme TuneHospital HottieGender-Equal EnsembleGreen-Eyed MonsterGroupie Brigadeand 96 more

TV Tropes lists 108 tropes for it, including Running Gag, Lovely Assistant, and Insufferable Genius.