Man on the Moon

Play trailer

Man on the Moon

R

Released Dec 22, 1999

1h 58m

Biography

Comedy

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

A socko motion picture.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 27, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

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

Full Review

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

Pandemic D

I waited a long time to watch this movie. It’s hard to say who was more brilliant. Kaufman or Carrey. Will watch it again soon.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/14/25

Full Review

Landon J

Fine as a standalone piece. I suppose Kaufman fans will have more to enjoy, but for the average viewer it will run middle of the road. An interesting view into a very interesting character.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

04/13/25

Full Review

Audience Member

One of jim carreys best "serious" acting roles, he did a good job he just doesn't sound or look like Andy Kaufman which took me out of it a bit. Everything else was very well written and performed.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/10/25

Full Review

alessio t

underrated movie, made me cry and laugh

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/05/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

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

2:42

Man on the Moon: Official Clip - David Letterman

2:58

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

3:00

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

3:03

Man on the Moon: Official Clip - Wrestling Women

2:43

Man on the Moon: Official Clip - Tony Gets Fired

1:58

Man on the Moon: Official Clip - Tony Clifton

2:52

Man on the Moon: Official Clip - The Elvis Presley

2:51

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

2:11

View more videos

Isn't She Great

24%

37%

Isn't She Great

Watchlist

Winchell

83%

71%

Winchell

Watchlist

Why Do Fools Fall in Love

52%

76%

Why Do Fools Fall in Love

Watchlist

Introducing Dorothy Dandridge

83%

80%

Introducing Dorothy Dandridge

Watchlist

Basquiat

67%

77%

Basquiat

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Jim Carrey’s Best Movies

Digital Multiplex: Jack Reacher, Mama and More

Box Office Guru Preview: New Pics Challenge "Borat’s" Mandate

View more photos

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)

Most Popular at Home Now