Adventureland

R

Released Apr 3, 2009

1 hr. 46 min.

Comedy

Drama

Romance

List

88%

217 Reviews

Tomatometer

61%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

It's the summer of 1987, and recent college grad James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg) can't wait to begin his long-anticipated dream trip to Europe. Unfortunately, James' plans come to a screeching halt when his parents announce that they are unable to subsidize his trip. Forced to take a job at the local amusement park, James prepares for the worst summer ever, until he finds love with a captivating co-worker named Em (Kristen Stewart).

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Critics Consensus

Full of humor and nostalgia, Adventureland is a sweet, insightful coming-of-age comedy that will resonate with teens and adults alike.

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Ian W

It's a solid 8/10. A coming of age film with 80's soundtrack. Kristen Stewart and Jesse Eisenberg are decent in the starring roles. Script is OK. Doesn't explain how Em gets to live in New York, and the end was a tad predictable.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/25/24

Full Review

Cash S

Adventureland is actually a really good teen coming-of-age film. It just feels like a really good throwback to a kind of film that just doesn't get made anymore. You care about the characters working at this carnival, and the drama is pretty strong. The cast is all great, with some really funny moments from Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig, and a nice teen romance from Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart. The humor in this works pretty well with, like I said before, Bill Hader having some standout moments. The film is pretty predictable at times, and it's not like it's an incredible film or anything. Also, sometimes the characters can be pretty unlikable. Aside from those issues though, this is a really solid throwback to 80's comimg-of-age teen romances.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/26/24

Full Review

Ryan B

An easy to watch & cute tale of love in a small town over summer. Gottola does well to capture the feeling of nostalgia in his movies, as if we lived them ourselves & Adventureland is no exception.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/24/24

Full Review

John S

The soundtrack is unbeatable. A fun telling of an offbeat romance before college and captures the magic of the 80s. Can't get enough of this feel good movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/03/23

Full Review

Philip G

anyone who doesnt love this film is a moron and i want to fight them. so does my wife

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/21/23

Full Review

Jem H

Meh. I didn't feel enriched by watching it.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/26/23

Full Review

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Greg Mottola

Director

Jesse Eisenberg

James Brennan

Kristen Stewart

Em Lewin

Martin Starr

Joel

Kristen Wiig

Paulette

Bill Hader

Bobby

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

A film so tuned in to the pre-collegiate experience that scenes which play as comedy to some audiences will land as harrowing tragedy to others.

May 27, 2016

Full Review

Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

Content to occupy that middle ground where insights are authentic but far from revelatory and comedy is more amiable than riotous.

Rated: C+

Nov 6, 2009

Full Review

Ian Nathan

Empire Magazine

Without recourse to frilly cuffs or a montage to A Flock Of Seagulls' greatest hit, it plays the '80s card for something heartfelt.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 18, 2009

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Eisenberg and Stewart have a low-key chemistry that serves the movie well.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 2, 2023

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Here’s that rare youth flick where it’s actually believable that the brainy guy gets the girl.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 15, 2023

Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

A rather dreary coming-of-age drama with some witty dialogue and too-broad performances.

Rated: C-

Sep 22, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

It's the summer of 1987, and recent college grad James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg) can't wait to begin his long-anticipated dream trip to Europe. Unfortunately, James' plans come to a screeching halt when his parents announce that they are unable to subsidize his trip. Forced to take a job at the local amusement park, James prepares for the worst summer ever, until he finds love with a captivating co-worker named Em (Kristen Stewart).

Director: Greg Mottola
Executive Producer: William Horberg, Bruce Toll
Screenwriter: Greg Mottola
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: This Is That Productions, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment
Rating: R (Language|Drug Use|Sexual References)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 3, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $16.0M

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