Boyhood

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1:45

Boyhood

R

2014

2h 45m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

330 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

The joys and pitfalls of growing up are seen through the eyes of a child named Mason (Ellar Coltrane), his parents (Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke) and his sister (Lorelei Linklater). Vignettes, filmed with the same cast over the course of 12 years, capture family meals, road trips, birthday parties, graduations and other important milestones. Songs from Coldplay, Arcade Fire and other artists capture the time period. Directed by Richard Linklater.

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Critics Consensus

Epic in technical scale but breathlessly intimate in narrative scope, Boyhood is a sprawling investigation of the human condition.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

01/27/2025

5/5

Filming twice a year while sculpting the details of the screenplay, Linklater somehow captured the fundamental grief of the parenting experience.

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Shadow and Act Staff

Shadow and Act

09/15/2022

...it’s hyperbolic in its minimalism and boring in spots and its overall narrative reach often exceeds its grasp. Even still, it’s one of the most important movies of the decade so far and you should experience it just to say you did.

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Chris Nashawaty

Entertainment Weekly

10/11/2018

A

Like Michael Apted in his Seven Up! documentary series, Linklater makes you feel as if you're watching a photograph as it develops in the darkroom.

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JD Duran

InSession Film

08/19/2024

A

Boyhood was an incredibly risky project but the end product feels so genuine...

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

02/16/2024

5/5

What makes Boyhood this extraordinary experience and achievement is the opposite of that adjective: the ordinary. Linklater and company sought to deliver a genuine interpretation of a life experience without flashy movie bells and whistles.

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Paul Kanieski

KSQD Community Radio

07/24/2023

Boyhood captures the importance of the commonplace and how it’s the endless procession of relatively inconsequential events that most shape our lives.

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Eric

11h

Great to see this in theaters. Very unique coming of age story by having the same actors over a 12-year period. Alas, I thought (and Cinemark advertised) that it would have the Q&A from the Austin showing at the end but it did not — Cinemark what gives? Others in the theater were disappointed not to see the W&A too. But well worth watching.

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Nicolas J

@RT04474315 1d

As a child of divorced parents, I know about mom-blaming, and sometimes it's a bit unfair, as all kids can be.

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Jarrin R

2d

o think this is one of the most realistic coming of age stories I have seen. Watching the actual transformation of the actors overtime instead of different people playing them at different ages really makes a difference. Both parent roles shine and Mason's character is very grounded in the quintessential teen experience. I recommend this as a watch for anyone. very dynamic and original concept for a film.

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Albert G

@RT62941283 4d

This movie’s primary appeal seems to be in the gimmick of the cast. It has a few moments early on.

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Valentina D

@valentina6623 Jul 25

This hit quite the personal note with me... I can confidently say that this is the most genuine portrayal of coming of age that I have seen. Watching these people age in front of your eyes feels mesmerizing, and it never comes across as just a gimmick.

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Giovanni P

@imgiovanni Jul 20

One of my favorite movies of all time. Watching the kids grow up from being children to young adults is fascinating. Together with Stand By Me it's one of the best coming-of-age movies you'll ever see.

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Richard Linklater

Director

Ellar Coltrane

Mason

Patricia Arquette

Olivia

Ethan Hawke

Mason Sr.

Lorelei Linklater

Samantha

Tamara Jolaine

Tammy

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Boyhood: Trailer 1

1:45

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Synopsis

The joys and pitfalls of growing up are seen through the eyes of a child named Mason (Ellar Coltrane), his parents (Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke) and his sister (Lorelei Linklater). Vignettes, filmed with the same cast over the course of 12 years, capture family meals, road trips, birthday parties, graduations and other important milestones. Songs from Coldplay, Arcade Fire and other artists capture the time period. Directed by Richard Linklater.

Director: Richard Linklater
Producer: Richard Linklater, Cathleen Sutherland, Jonathan Sehring, John Sloss
Screenwriter: Richard Linklater
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Detour Filmproduction
Rating: R (Sexual References|Language|Teen Drug and Alcohol Use)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 18, 2014, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Jul 31, 2026
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 7, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $25.4M
Runtime: 2h 45m