Almost Famous

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2:03

Almost Famous

R

Released Sep 15, 2000

2h 2m

Comedy

Drama

Music

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

229 Reviews

92%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Set in 1973, it chronicles the funny and often poignant coming of age of 15-year-old William, an unabashed music fan who is inspired by the seminal bands of the time. When his love of music lands him an assignment from Rolling Stone magazine to interview the up-and-coming band Stillwater -- fronted by lead guitar Russell Hammond and lead singer Jeff Bebe William embarks on an eye-opening journey with the band's tour, despite the objections of his protective mother.

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Critics Consensus

Almost Famous, with its great ensemble performances and story, is a well-crafted, warm-hearted movie that successfully draws you into its era.

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Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

If you haven't already sold your soul to rock & roll, Almost Famous should seal the deal. It’s pure pleasure. Just don’t expect the dark side. Not since A Hard Day’s Night has a movie caught the thrumming exuberance of going where the music takes you.

Rated: 5/5

Mar 26, 2024

Full Review

Manohla Dargis

L.A. Weekly

The film shimmers with the irresistible pleasures that define Hollywood at its best -- it's polished like glass, funny, knowing and bright, and filled with characters whose lives are invariably sexier and more purposeful than our own.

Mar 26, 2024

Full Review

Kirk Honeycutt

The Hollywood Reporter

It's a coming-of-age tale compressed into a few mad weeks. And Crowe, the ex-journalist, captures the essence of good journalism -- its watchfulness, persistence and that instinct for a good human story.

Mar 26, 2024

Full Review

Julian Singleton

Cinapse

Almost Famous is a film that lives up to its credo of being honest and unmerciful about the people, places, and period it depicts, with love and melancholy mixed in bittersweet balance.

Jul 12, 2025

Full Review

Paul Klein

FILMHOUNDS Magazine

Twenty one years on and there's still much to love in Crowe's last great work, and it's hard not to well up when the whole bus sing Elton John's Tiny Dancer.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 4, 2024

Full Review

Steve Persall

Tampa Bay Times

This movie splashes a toast of Jack Daniels on the grave, scribbling graffiti optimism on the tombstone: Rock is dead. Long live rock.

Rated: A

Mar 26, 2024

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mark g

Have never, ever, understood the glowing praise for this film. Don't think the acting or script is particularly good. Comes off like a made for TV movie going for cute. Have tried to like it, just can't.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/01/25

Full Review

Tyler G

So many memorable scenes and lines. Frances McDormand and PSH are amazing. "The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." My main criticism would be pacing. I watched the extended version, granted, but there is a large part in the middle when there is hardly any plot development, and then the ending seemed rushed.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/17/25

Full Review

Kelsey E.

It’s a great movie with a great cast

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/07/25

Full Review

Buck M

This is the 43-year-old Crowe’s family album, the equivalent of a supergroup tribute to the people who set him on his path in life. It is a love letter from a fan, and it is written from the heart.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/05/25

Full Review

Mikey B

A love letter to rock and roll by Cameron Crowe. A 15 year old, based on Crowe, gets hired by Rolling Stone, who are unaware of his age. With his mother's blessing, he goes out to experience life. The cast is stellar and some scenes will stay in your memory. It is good but you get that nagging feeling that it is missing that final piece

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/01/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Funny in 2 hours and 2 minutes!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Drug Content, Brief Nudity and Language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The cast and crew are both awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/10/25

Full Review

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Cameron Crowe

Director

Billy Crudup

Russell Hammond

Frances McDormand

Elaine Miller

Kate Hudson

Penny Lane

Jason Lee

Jeff Bebe

Patrick Fugit

William Miller

Almost Famous: Official Clip - I'm Gay!

2:13

Almost Famous: Official Clip - Lester Bangs

2:11

Almost Famous: Official Clip - What Kind of Beer?

2:13

Almost Famous: Official Clip - Do You Wanna Buy a Gate?

2:13

Almost Famous: Official Clip - The T-Shirt is Everything

2:13

Almost Famous: Official Clip - Penny Lane & the Band-Aides

2:13

Almost Famous: Official Clip - It's All Happening

1:17

Almost Famous: Official Clip - I Am a Golden God!

1:33

Almost Famous: Official Clip - Drugs & Promiscuous Sex

2:02

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Almost Famous: Trailer 1

2:03

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Synopsis

Set in 1973, it chronicles the funny and often poignant coming of age of 15-year-old William, an unabashed music fan who is inspired by the seminal bands of the time. When his love of music lands him an assignment from Rolling Stone magazine to interview the up-and-coming band Stillwater -- fronted by lead guitar Russell Hammond and lead singer Jeff Bebe William embarks on an eye-opening journey with the band's tour, despite the objections of his protective mother.

Director: Cameron Crowe
Producer: Ian Bryce, Cameron Crowe
Screenwriter: Cameron Crowe
Distributor: DreamWorks SKG
Production Co: Vinyl Films, DreamWorks Pictures, Columbia Pictures
Rating: R (Drug Content|Brief Nudity|Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 15, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $32.5M
Runtime: 2h 2m
Sound Mix: DTS, Dolby Digital, SDDS, Dolby SR, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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