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Trailer

The Boy in the Plastic Bubble

1976Movie1 h 36 minPG

DramaTV Movie
55
DecentGoodWatch score
IMDb5.8Metacritic70–Rotten Tomatoes–47%
55
DecentGoodWatch score
IMDb5.8Metacritic70–Rotten Tomatoes–47%

Summary

Tod Lubitch is born with a deficient immune system. As such, he must spend the rest of his life in a completely sterile environment. His room is completely hermetically sealed against bacteria and virus, his food is specially prepared, and his only human contact comes in the form of gloved hands. The movie follows his life into a teenager.

Good for

  • Date night
  • Family movie night
  • Friends night

Skip it if

  • You need an uplifting mood

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for laughs, warmth or comfort.

Movies with

Cast

17 of 17

Crew

Directed by
Randal Kleiser
Written by
Douglas Day Stewart, Joe Morgenstern
Produced by
Joel Thurm, Cindy Dunne
Music by
Mark Snow

Everyone

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

Facts

November 12, 1976 · 1 h 36 min · PG

Released
November 12, 1976
Runtime
1 h 36 min
Age rating
PG
Genres
TV Movie, Drama
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Available in
139 countries

Tropes

Alternate DVD Commentary, My God, What Have I Done?, Situational Sexuality +4

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream The Boy in the Plastic Bubble?"

Questions about The Boy in the Plastic Bubble

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Boy in the Plastic Bubble?

PlexJustWatch TV FreePhiloThe RokuHooplaFlixHousePluto TVNight Flight+

In the United States, The Boy in the Plastic Bubble streams on Night Flight+, FlixFling, IndieFlix, Eternal Family, and IndieFlix Shorts, and it is free with ads on Plex, JustWatch TV Free, Philo, The Roku, Hoopla, FlixHouse, Pluto TV, Fawesome, Xumo Play, Tubi TV, and Filmtap. You can rent or buy it from FlixFling. It also streams in 138 other countries.

Is The Boy in the Plastic Bubble worth watching?

55
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 55 (IMDb 5.8 and Metacritic 70). Critics rate it higher (70 out of 100) than audiences (53).

Is The Boy in the Plastic Bubble okay for kids?

PG

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

Is The Boy in the Plastic Bubble 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 Boy in the Plastic Bubble good for date night?

and 4 moreDate NightPartner WatchAdultsFamily Movie NightFriends Night

Yes: romance is 6 of 10, and the viewing guide lists it for date night.