Dead Poets Society

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2:35

Dead Poets Society

PG

Released Jun 2, 1989

2h 8m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

65 Reviews

92%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

A new English teacher, John Keating (Robin Williams), is introduced to an all-boys preparatory school that is known for its ancient traditions and high standards. He uses unorthodox methods to reach out to his students, who face enormous pressures from their parents and the school. With Keating's help, students Neil Perry (Robert Sean Leonard), Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawke) and others learn to break out of their shells, pursue their dreams and seize the day.

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Critics Consensus

Affecting performances from the young cast and a genuinely inspirational turn from Robin Williams grant Peter Weir's prep school drama top honors.

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Kurt Jacobsen

Chicago Reader

We never are privy to Keatings’s personal life, nor do we quite grasp why such a talented individual is devoted to pedagogy.

Rated: 1/4

May 11, 2022

Full Review

Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

A refreshing if obvious drama.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 23, 2017

Full Review

Hank Gallo

New York Daily News

On the surface Robin Williams appears to be giving his standard performance as Prof. Keating - witty, sincere and lovable. But there's much more here.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jun 1, 2016

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Though it’s marginally overlong, the script is absorbing.

Rated: 8/10

Sep 16, 2024

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Rachel Wagner

Rachel's Reviews (YouTube)

It's extremely manipulative but it still works

Aug 28, 2024

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Lyric Waiwiri-Smith

The Post NZ

An achingly beautiful story of high school boys who give up the guards of their masculinity and family expectations to believe in something beautiful and real.

Oct 28, 2022

Full Review

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Jeffrey N

The movie is slow, but not in a bad way, it gives the viewer time to take in the scenery but also is not afraid to provoke you into searching for meaning and great exploits beyond the mundane.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/09/25

Full Review

GA A

This film in 2025, is still brilliant. A simple tale of young minds being opened up and asked to look at the true real joys of life, to question their world. Excellent acting all round. It leaves one feeling deeply moved by their grief & inability to express their true feelings. Great direction, acting and setting.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/09/25

Full Review

Landen C

All I have to say is this movie is incredible

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/08/25

Full Review

Everything M

What a Journey I have just been on watching this film. The performance was just beautiful throughout telling a story of friendship and suffering. The betrayal and loyalty shows the truth of what real friends do for each other while others only do what benefits themselves. This poetic story with its highs and lows really majorly impacted me as a viewer keeping me intrigued in the story and what unfolds next. Overall, This film should definitely be on your watchlist as I can assure it will be enjoyed by the correct audience.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/05/25

Full Review

Avalon P

One of the best movies I've ever watched, do not watch it. I cried for 20 mins at the end. It's such a beautiful story about humanity itself. The love for poetry and during your heart and soul into something you love, but it also shows the pain of humanity in such a gut wrenching way.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/05/25

Full Review

bob c

Pretty good as a coming of age drama in itself. Nicely augmented by a not in yer face political allegory about conformity among the WASP ruling class in late 1950s USA. Robyn Williams understated by his standards and so much the better for that.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/04/25

Full Review

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Peter Weir

Director

Robin Williams

John Keating

Robert Sean Leonard

Neil Perry

Ethan Hawke

Todd Anderson

Josh Charles

Knox Overstreet

Gale Hansen

Charlie Dalton

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Dead Poets Society: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

A new English teacher, John Keating (Robin Williams), is introduced to an all-boys preparatory school that is known for its ancient traditions and high standards. He uses unorthodox methods to reach out to his students, who face enormous pressures from their parents and the school. With Keating's help, students Neil Perry (Robert Sean Leonard), Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawke) and others learn to break out of their shells, pursue their dreams and seize the day.

Director: Peter Weir
Producer: Steven Haft, Paul Junger Witt, Tony Thomas
Screenwriter: Tom Schulman
Distributor: Touchstone Pictures, Buena Vista Pictures, Touchstone Home Video
Production Co: Touchstone Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 2, 1989, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 9, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $94.5M
Runtime: 2h 8m
Sound Mix: Surround, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Dolby
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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