The Best of Times

Play trailer

The Best of Times

PG-13

1986

1h 44m

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

29%

Tomatometer

14 Reviews

43%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Married banker Jack Dundee (Robin Williams) has lived his life regretting a botched play he made in a high school football game. His friend Reno Hightower (Kurt Russell), who threw the pass that Jack dropped, is deeply in debt from operating his car garage. With Reno, Jack hatches a plan to reunite all the players from the old game and replay it, hoping that this time he can make amends. When the game eventually happens, Jack again finds himself at the center of a key play.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Paul Attanasio

Washington Post

01/04/2018

... what it really resembles, more than anything, is a teen comedy populated by adults.

Go to Full Review

Walter Goodman

New York Times

05/21/2003

2/5

Such a rouser that it almost makes up for the incomplete passes and stopped runs that precede it.

Go to Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

10/24/2023

2/4

Here’s a “feel-good” movie more likely to make one “feel-annoyed” by the utter predictability of it all.

Go to Full Review

Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

10/06/2005

3/5

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

06/26/2005

2/5

Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

05/31/2005

2/5

Nostalgic fantasy about replaying that high school game with all the jock pals.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

thiago S

@Thiagostone Apr 29

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

See more

Dave M.

@davemaze Dec 21

A well crafted story about characters and regrets. In a town that places emphasis on athletics, they underestimate Jack's intelligence and ability to manipulate. Extremely funny but also has some depth.

See more

Daniel C

@RT85531442 Nov 20

It's really funny. Kind of dark funny at times. It gets small town life pretty right, Robin Williams is great. It's got more character depth than almost anything written these days (even for a small comedy). My wife and I re-watched it for the first time in many years. Definitely a lost classic worth checking out.

See more

Stephen C

@bob25009 07/14/2025

Funny in 1 hour and 44 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $5,800,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See more

Wirmer F

@RT63183145 06/08/2025

one of the all time greatest sports comedies. panned by critics. ignored by audiences. but adored by those who are lucky enough to remember it.

See more

Karl H

@RT04583125 04/22/2025

I can't believe the critics panned this. Obviously it's predictable, but Robin Williams in particular just nails it. He's at his funniest when he isn't trying to be funny. The interactions with his father-in-law are comedy gold. Much better than a lot of 80's movies. Just watch it and enjoy it.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Roger Spottiswoode

Director

Robin Williams

Jack Dundee

Kurt Russell

Reno Hightower

Pamela Reed

Gigi Hightower

Holly Palance

Elly Dundee

Donald Moffat

The Colonel

The Best of Times: Official Clip - Marriage and Football

2:38

The Best of Times: Official Clip - The Dance

3:02

The Best of Times: Official Clip - White Shoes

2:28

The Best of Times: Official Clip - Me or the Game

3:00

The Best of Times: Official Clip - Let's Go Jack

2:38

The Best of Times: Official Clip - Welcome Aboard, Reno

2:47

The Best of Times: Official Clip - Talking About the World

2:05

The Best of Times: Official Clip - I Can Get Open

3:51

The Best of Times: Official Clip - Practice Aerobics

1:59

View more videos

Career Opportunities

37%

37%

Career Opportunities

Watchlist

Armed and Dangerous

9%

39%

Armed and Dangerous

Watchlist

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

85%

92%

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Throw Momma From the Train

65%

55%

Throw Momma From the Train

Watchlist

National Lampoon's European Vacation

37%

49%

National Lampoon's European Vacation

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Married banker Jack Dundee (Robin Williams) has lived his life regretting a botched play he made in a high school football game. His friend Reno Hightower (Kurt Russell), who threw the pass that Jack dropped, is deeply in debt from operating his car garage. With Reno, Jack hatches a plan to reunite all the players from the old game and replay it, hoping that this time he can make amends. When the game eventually happens, Jack again finds himself at the center of a key play.

Director: Roger Spottiswoode
Producer: Gordon Carroll
Screenwriter: Ron Shelton
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal/Universal Int
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 31, 1986, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 14, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.8M
Runtime: 1h 44m