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American Graffiti

Play trailer 2:49 Poster for American Graffiti PG Released Aug 11, 1973 1h 50m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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95% Tomatometer 62 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
From director George Lucas (Star Wars) and producer Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather), American Graffiti is a classic coming-of-age story set against the 1960s backdrop of hot rods, drive-ins and rock n’ roll. Starring Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss, Harrison Ford, Cindy Williams, Mackenzie Phillips and Suzanne Somers in their breakout roles, this nostalgic look back follows a group of teenagers as they cruise the streets on their last summer night before college. Nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, American Graffiti features the howling sounds of Wolfman Jack and an unforgettable soundtrack with songs by Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, The Beach Boys and Bill Haley & His Comets.
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American Graffiti

American Graffiti

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Critics Consensus

One of the most influential of all teen films, American Graffiti is a funny, nostalgic, and bittersweet look at a group of recent high school grads' last days of innocence.

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Critics Reviews

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Jake Cole Slant Magazine The primary interest of American Graffiti is its setting and the nostalgia that it conjures. Nov 8, 2023 Full Review Pauline Kael The New Yorker The movie has no resonance except from the jukebox sound and the eerie, nocturnal jukebox look. Sep 19, 2023 Full Review Richard Roeper Chicago Sun-Times A surprise blockbuster hit with an enormous and lasting cultural footprint. Aug 26, 2023 Full Review Jack Walters Loud and Clear Reviews American Graffiti uses catchy music, bright visuals, and strong characters to take audiences back to their childhood and observe it from a new perspective. Rated: 4/5 Jul 24, 2024 Full Review Jeff Beck The Blu Spot American Graffiti is a classic coming-of-age flick that holds up rather well after 50 years. It may not be too heavy on plot, but it more than makes up for it with its charming characters, brought to life by a tremendous cast, and its rockin' soundtrack. Rated: 3.5/5 Nov 6, 2023 Full Review David Elliott Chicago Daily News I'm not sure I would have enjoyed their way of life, but it's a great one to remember, even if you didn't live it yourself, and it makes American Graffiti the ultimate nostalgia movie -- certainly the best teen-myth movie since Rebel Without a Cause. Oct 3, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Lord W Classic! Amazing in theaters. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/03/23 Full Review Google Important film making an important statement about youth and American pop culture and coming of age in the 1960s. Fun movie, yet also serious. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/29/22 Full Review bobby More like this please Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/29/22 Full Review Anthony P I ADORE THE ENTIRE MOVIE. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/29/22 Full Review michael C. The normalcy of driving everywhere and car culture in America is accentuated in this George Lucas Classic. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/02/25 Full Review Maddox G. It’s interesting that this was the movie that inspired George Lucas to create Star Wars Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/21/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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George Lucas

Director

Richard Dreyfuss

Curt Henderson

Ron Howard

Steve Bolander

Paul Le Mat

John Milner

Charles Martin Smith

Terry "The Toad" Fields

Cindy Williams

Laurie Henderson

Movie Clips

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American Graffiti

American Graffiti: Official Clip - A Snowball Dance American Graffiti: Official Clip - A Snowball Dance 2:31 American Graffiti: Official Clip - Wolfman Jack American Graffiti: Official Clip - Wolfman Jack 2:59 American Graffiti: Official Clip - Toad Gets Lucky American Graffiti: Official Clip - Toad Gets Lucky 1:42 American Graffiti: Official Clip - Must Be Your Mama's Car American Graffiti: Official Clip - Must Be Your Mama's Car 2:43 American Graffiti: Official Clip - This Is My Cousin, Carol American Graffiti: Official Clip - This Is My Cousin, Carol 2:02 American Graffiti: Official Clip - The Most Perfect Dazzling Creature Ever American Graffiti: Official Clip - The Most Perfect Dazzling Creature Ever 1:31 American Graffiti: Official Clip - Wanna Go For A Ride? American Graffiti: Official Clip - Wanna Go For A Ride? 2:45 American Graffiti: Official Clip - Drag Race at Paradise Road American Graffiti: Official Clip - Drag Race at Paradise Road 2:55 American Graffiti: Official Clip - Pharaohs and the Cop Car American Graffiti: Official Clip - Pharaohs and the Cop Car 2:57 American Graffiti: Official Clip - Water Balloon Prank American Graffiti: Official Clip - Water Balloon Prank 1:46 View more videos

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American Graffiti

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American Graffiti

A scene from American Graffiti. A scene from American Graffiti. A scene from American Graffiti. A scene from American Graffiti. A scene from American Graffiti. American Graffiti (1973) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis From director George Lucas (Star Wars) and producer Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather), American Graffiti is a classic coming-of-age story set against the 1960s backdrop of hot rods, drive-ins and rock n’ roll. Starring Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss, Harrison Ford, Cindy Williams, Mackenzie Phillips and Suzanne Somers in their breakout roles, this nostalgic look back follows a group of teenagers as they cruise the streets on their last summer night before college. Nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, American Graffiti features the howling sounds of Wolfman Jack and an unforgettable soundtrack with songs by Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, The Beach Boys and Bill Haley & His Comets.
Director
George Lucas
Producer
Francis Ford Coppola, Gary Kurtz
Screenwriter
George Lucas, Gloria Katz, Willard Huyck
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Lucasfilm Ltd., Universal Pictures, Coppola Company
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 11, 1973, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Aug 27, 2023
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 13, 2015
Runtime
1h 50m
Sound Mix
Surround, Mono
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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