Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Hector and the Search for Happiness

Play trailer Poster for Hector and the Search for Happiness R Released Oct 3, 2014 1h 54m Comedy Drama Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
38% Tomatometer 86 Reviews 61% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Disillusioned with the tedium of his existence, psychiatrist Hector confesses to his girlfriend that he feels he is a fraud for dispensing recommendations to patients who never seem to improve or get any happier. He considers breaking out of his lackluster routine. Summoning up some courage, Hector gives his starved curiosity free rein and embarks on an international quest to find the right formula to bring him joy and vitality.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

Hector and the Search for Happiness

Hector and the Search for Happiness

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Simon Pegg remains as charming as ever, but Hector and the Search for Happiness drowns his appeal in schmaltz.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More (86)
Martin Tsai Los Angeles Times Hector may indeed learn that narcissism stands in the way of happiness, but he also walks away with his privileges intact and unchallenged. Dec 23, 2014 Full Review Jake Wilson Sydney Morning Herald Staggering out of Hector and The Search For Happiness, I had the impression of having witnessed an unequivocal fiasco, a film no human being would be likely to enjoy. Rated: 1/5 Oct 24, 2014 Full Review David Stratton At the Movies (Australia) Think of EAT, PRAY, LOVE which has a similar sort of journey and this is so much better than that. Rated: 3.5/5 Oct 17, 2014 Full Review Kip Mooney Central Track Want to be happy? Don't waste your time or money on this movie. Aug 10, 2021 Full Review Richard Crouse Richard Crouse Feels like Michel Gondry Lite, but when it and Pegg let the whimsy go, it can be an affecting story. Rated: 3/5 Feb 1, 2021 Full Review Jamie Neish CineVue Doesn't seem to be in possession of any form of moral compass, and all traces of humanity have been sucked dry by a need to be whimsy for whimsy's sake. Rated: 1/5 Aug 13, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More (416)
Michele M I believe Simon Pegg a great actor with a subtle and refined sense of humour but also a great humanity and this movie totally reveals that! Cameos with great actors like Jean Reno, Stellan Statgard etc. also make the movie very enjoyable! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/29/25 Full Review Dani G Is is me, or this has a Walter Mitty like vibe? Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 07/23/25 Full Review Sandy H I loved this movie. It was a well-told story mixing serious and light-hearted moments. I will remember it for a long time to come. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/18/25 Full Review Jonathan E The book is better BUT the producers chose to be true to the book as Simon Pegg is dragged all over earth. There's even a scene in Tibet! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/25/25 Full Review John S One of my many favourite movies of all time. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/09/25 Full Review Jan V It's so sweet it have me a cavity. Props to Peg for trying to make a feel good movie, but it's a bit too much. Next time, add some salt. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/24/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Hector and the Search for Happiness

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW
Gold 41% 46% Gold Watchlist TRAILER for Gold American Made 85% 79% American Made Watchlist TRAILER for American Made The Kings of Summer 76% 77% The Kings of Summer Watchlist The Leisure Seeker 38% 57% The Leisure Seeker Watchlist TRAILER for The Leisure Seeker The Mexican 54% 44% The Mexican Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Disillusioned with the tedium of his existence, psychiatrist Hector confesses to his girlfriend that he feels he is a fraud for dispensing recommendations to patients who never seem to improve or get any happier. He considers breaking out of his lackluster routine. Summoning up some courage, Hector gives his starved curiosity free rein and embarks on an international quest to find the right formula to bring him joy and vitality.
Director
Peter Chelsom
Producer
Christian Angermayer, Klaus Dohle, Trish Dolman, Christine Haebler, Phil Hunt, Compton Ross, Judy Tossell
Screenwriter
Maria von Heland, Peter Chelsom, Tinker Lindsay
Distributor
Relativity Media
Production Co
Egoli Tossell Film, Head Gear Films, Wild Bunch, Construction Film, Screen Siren Pictures, Erfttal Film
Rating
R (Some Brief Nudity|Language)
Genre
Comedy, Drama, Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 3, 2014, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 3, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.1M
Runtime
1h 54m
Most Popular at Home Now