Cinema Paradiso

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Cinema Paradiso

PG

1988

2h 3m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

90%

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84 Reviews

96%

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50,000+ Ratings

Young Salvatore Di Vita (Salvatore Cascio) discovers the perfect escape from life in his war-torn Sicilian village: the Cinema Paradiso movie house, where projectionist Alfredo (Philippe Noiret) instills in the boy a deep love of films. When Salvatore grows up, falls in love with a beautiful local girl (Agnese Nano) and takes over as the Paradiso's projectionist, Alfredo must convince Salvatore to leave his small town and pursue his passion for filmmaking.

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Critics Consensus

Cinema Paradiso is a life-affirming ode to the power of youth, nostalgia, and the the movies themselves.

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Tim Pulleine

Sight & Sound

Cinema Paradiso itself possesses enough command and self-conviction to demonstrate that movies can still manage to manifest an alternative universe.

Jan 11, 2020

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Adam Mars-Jones

Independent (UK)

Giuseppe Tornatore, writer and director of Cinema Paradiso, knows that the way to make shameless wallowing palatable is to make no great claims for what you are resurrecting.

Dec 6, 2018

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Larushka Ivan-Zadeh

metro.co.uk

A cinema-lover's delight.

Sep 6, 2017

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William Stottor

Loud and Clear Reviews

One of the greatest Italian films, Cinema Paradiso is a special, timeless classic that will make you smile and weep in equal measure.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 11, 2024

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David Parkinson

Radio Times

This is both an unashamedly sentimental rite-of-passage picture and a charming reminder of the lost magic of cinema-going.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 1, 2024

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Terry Francis

Southern Voice (Atlanta)

The story is drawn from the director Giuseppe Tornatore's childhood memories, presented here as a series of loosely-linked episodes commemorating the importance of movies -- of art -- in the lives of people forced to manage on very little.

Rated: 3/4

May 9, 2023

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Nikhilesh

If you love movies this is a must watch. My gratitude to Regal Cinemas for playing this on the big screen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/24/25

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lisa f

best movie i’ve seen in 20 years! loved it!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/27/23

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Alcapp

Cinema Paradiso us a wonderful heart warming film. Youll laugh youll cry youll reflect. The ending is magical.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/02/22

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AMY L.

Every time I watch Cinema Paradiso, it hits me right in the heart. There’s something about this film that just captures everything I love about movies…the nostalgia, the warmth, the way it reminds you of the people who helped shape who you are. The story is beautiful, but it’s the feeling that stays with me. Ennio Morricone’s score is pure magic … it sweeps you up before you even realize it. And that final scene… no matter how many times I’ve seen it, it completely wrecks me (in the best possible way). It’s tender, heartbreaking, and so full of love for the art of cinema itself. Cinema Paradiso isn’t just a movie, it’s a memory you get to visit over and over again.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/06/25

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Dorothy M

The finest film, my favorite of all my life! Being 1/2 Sicilian and a worshipper of the art of filmmaking, Cinema Paradiso hits every poignant cell in my body, and breadth of my heart. Adore this movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/27/25

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To F

Es preciosisima! Es como una carta de amor a la vida, de que no se nos olvide vivirla porque es corta. Que belleza ver como todo mundo amaba el cine en aquella época y ver como era la vida, tan tranquila.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/22/25

Full Review

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Giuseppe Tornatore

Director

Salvatore Cascio

Salvatore 'Toto' Di Vita - Child

Philippe Noiret

Alfredo

Marco Leonardi

Salvatore 'Toto' Di Vita - Teenager

Jacques Perrin

Salvatore 'Toto' Di Vita - Adult

Agnese Nano

Elena Mendola

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81%

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93%

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Synopsis

Young Salvatore Di Vita (Salvatore Cascio) discovers the perfect escape from life in his war-torn Sicilian village: the Cinema Paradiso movie house, where projectionist Alfredo (Philippe Noiret) instills in the boy a deep love of films. When Salvatore grows up, falls in love with a beautiful local girl (Agnese Nano) and takes over as the Paradiso's projectionist, Alfredo must convince Salvatore to leave his small town and pursue his passion for filmmaking.

Director: Giuseppe Tornatore
Producer: Mino Barbera, Franco Cristaldi, Giovanna Romagnoli
Screenwriter: Giuseppe Tornatore
Distributor: Miramax Films, HBO
Production Co: Cristaldi Film
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Italian
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 23, 1988, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 1, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $9.1M
Runtime: 2h 3m

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