Man on the Moon

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Man on the Moon

R

Released Dec 22, 1999

1h 58m

Biography

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

64%

Tomatometer

123 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Jim Carrey stars as the late Andy Kaufman, who was considered one of the most innovative, eccentric and enigmatic performers of his time. A master at manipulating audiences, Kaufman could generate belly laughs, stony silence, tears or brawls. Whether inviting the audience out for milk and cookies or challenging women to inter-gender wrestling matches, he specialized in creating performances so real that even his close friends were never sure where the truth lay.

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Critics Consensus

Jim Carrey is eerily dead-on in his portrayal of Andy Kaufman, which helps to elevate Man on the Moon above the script's formulaic biopic cliches.

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Derek Adams

Time Out

We're constantly kept guessing as to what's real or false. Intriguing.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

Leslie Felperin

Sight & Sound

The problem is that while Kaufman's life story has its required quota of bizarre-yet-true events, it's doomed to failure as mainstream entertainment because Kaufman wasn't terribly likeable as a person.

Dec 2, 2002

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Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle

As drama, it's a near miss. Yet as an introduction -- or a reminder -- of a singular talent, it has its appeal.

Rated: 2/4

Jun 18, 2002

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

Jim Carrey, who went method in his portrayal of Kaufman, delivers one of the best performances of his career in Man on the Moon.

Rated: 3.5/5

Dec 23, 2024

Full Review

Frank J. Avella

Edge Media Network

Besides a clever script, deft direction, and Carrey literally carrying the film to incredible heights, Forman was able to assemble a host of actors playing themselves, including most of the original "Taxi" cast members...

Rated: B+

Mar 2, 2022

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

A socko motion picture.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 27, 2022

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Andrew B

This is a classic homage to Kaufman and only Carrey could have pulled it off.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/15/25

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Adam Y

Will appeal to Kaufman fans and Carrey fans alike, and even if you're not a fan of either, you can't deny the intriguing quality of this strange story and the skill with which it's told.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/09/25

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Ava S

Though a bit saccharine for its edgy and controversial subject, Forman accurately captures Kaufman's humour and heart, powered by a career-best central performance.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/10/25

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john h

Jim Carrey is near one of the most excellent and transformed portrayals in a biographical film in the history of biopics. Albeit the minor plot twists and Carrey's extraordinary accent, the film isn't too praiseful just as it isn't too unwatchable.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/05/25

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Dani G

To me, the best performance of Jim Carrey's career. I can't imagine anyone else portraying the excentric comedian

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/03/25

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Simon T

Milos Forman manages to make an entertaining biopic of the bizarrely popular and divisive Andy Kaufman, someone who was endlessly indulged and feted even when the evidence suggested he needed psychological intervention. Jim Carrey is perfect casting, and is ably supported by Danny DeVito as his deluded agent. Many scenes are exact reconstructions peopled by the original contributors, and the whole thing is fascinating.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/21/25

Full Review

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Milos Forman

Director

Jim Carrey

Andy Kaufman

J. Alan Thomas

Self

Bob Zmuda

Jack Burns

Max Alexander

Harrah's Booker

Peter Bonerz

Ed. Weinberger - Taxi Producer

Man on the Moon: Official Clip - A Friendly, Friendly World

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Man on the Moon: Official Clip - David Letterman

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Man on the Moon: Official Clip - A Night at Carnegie Hall

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Man on the Moon: Official Clip - A Fight on Live TV

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Man on the Moon: Official Clip - Wrestling Women

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Man on the Moon: Official Clip - Tony Gets Fired

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Man on the Moon: Official Clip - Tony Clifton

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Man on the Moon: Official Clip - The Elvis Presley

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Man on the Moon: Official Clip - Mighty Mouse is on the Way

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Synopsis

Jim Carrey stars as the late Andy Kaufman, who was considered one of the most innovative, eccentric and enigmatic performers of his time. A master at manipulating audiences, Kaufman could generate belly laughs, stony silence, tears or brawls. Whether inviting the audience out for milk and cookies or challenging women to inter-gender wrestling matches, he specialized in creating performances so real that even his close friends were never sure where the truth lay.

Director: Milos Forman
Producer: Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher
Screenwriter: Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Mutual Film Company, Cinehaus, Universal Pictures, Jersey Films
Rating: R (Brief Sexuality|Brief Nudity|Language)
Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 22, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 7, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $34.6M
Runtime: 1h 58m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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