Dead Poets Society

Play trailer

2:35

Dead Poets Society

PG

1989

2h 8m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

66 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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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

Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

One of Weir’s great gifts as a filmmaker is how he draws performances out of actors.

Rated: 9/10

Oct 28, 2025

Full Review

Rudrangsh Gupta

The Hindu

By the end, the film not only makes you cherish friendships, but allows you to realise a deep gratitude for teachers, who in spite of all of their strictness, have the highest hopes for every single student who may cross their path.

Sep 8, 2025

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

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

Rated: 8/10

Sep 16, 2024

Full Review

Read all reviews

Natalia L

YOU GUYS GOTTA WATCH THIS IT’S A WORK OF ART 😭 R.I.P Robin Williams

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/02/25

Full Review

Hito S

The plot is absolutely amazing. And i feel the Chekov's Gun makes it perfect in ending. The backsound also makes every single scene more impressive. Plot : 4,9/5 Visual : 4,6/5 Audio : 4,8/5 Overall : This is movie is absolutely great

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/31/25

Full Review

Gabe C.

I believe that this is one of the greats. To me, it’s everything that cinema is supposed to be. It draws you in, it immerses you, it’s masterfully made, it makes you joyful and sad, it inspires toward something great and touches the soul.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/25/25

Full Review

Nathan S

I started this after seeing a short clip on YouTube. Not sure why I never saw it, but I had heard of it. Great acting, young star-cast. I did not intend on crying today, but I absolutely did. The build up and giant drop really hits hard with this film. The most difficult part is the pure lust for life thats absolutely stomped out by deaf parents and educators. I can't say enough how much this movie affected and humbled me, please watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/25/25

Full Review

Max W

With Robin Williams and the young actors' masterful performances, Dead Poets Society has secured its place in cinematic history through its romantic yet melancholic poetic quality.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/23/25

Full Review

Griffith J

I am not exaggerating, these are the types of films that change you as a person. Taking the bleakest things possible yet learning to grow & be inspired by life is a beautiful & emotionally crippling theme. Williams’ performance is generational as he shows the importance & primal need to pursue the arts. The autumn tone & picturesque establishing shots perfectly present the season. I find the idea of breaking tradition, being true to yourself, & embracing new perspectives to be beyond rousing as it all shows the power one great teacher can have.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/08/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Peter Weir

Director

Robin Williams

John Keating

Robert Sean Leonard

Neil Perry

Ethan Hawke

Todd Anderson

Josh Charles

Knox Overstreet

Gale Hansen

Charlie Dalton

Phenomenon

47%

59%

Phenomenon

Watchlist

Another Country

60%

74%

Another Country

Watchlist

The Accidental Tourist

82%

60%

The Accidental Tourist

Watchlist

Little Man Tate

69%

66%

Little Man Tate

Watchlist

Avalon

86%

78%

Avalon

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Watch Online: Pulp Fiction, Jaws, Wedding Crashers and More Certified Fresh Movies on Netflix and Amazon Prime

Sharlto Copley’s Five Favorite Films

Robin Williams’ 10 Best Movies

Dead Poets Society: Trailer 1

2:35

View more videos

View more photos

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: Buena Vista Pictures, Touchstone 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)

Most Popular at Home Now