Idiocracy

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Idiocracy

R

Released Sep 1, 2006

1h 24m

Comedy

Sci-Fi

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Popcornmeter

71%

Tomatometer

51 Reviews

61%

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50,000+ Ratings

In 2005, average in every way private Joe Bowers (Luke Wilson) is selected to take part in a secret military experiment to put him in hibernation for a year along with a woman named Rita (Maya Rudolph). The slumbering duo is forgotten when the base they are stored on is closed down and are left in stasis until 2505. When they finally wake up, they discover the average intelligence of humans has decreased so much that Joe is now the smartest man in the world.

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Critics Consensus

Frustratingly uneven yet enjoyable overall, Idiocracy skewers society's devolution with an amiably goofy yet deceptively barbed wit.

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Reihan Salam

Slate

Idiocracy is easily the most potent political film of the year, and the most stirring defense of traditional values since Edmund Burke's Reflections on the Revolution in France.

Apr 9, 2020

Full Review

Bilge Ebiri

Village Voice

The whole film has a drab, somnambulant rhythm. Intentional or not, this is part of its genius.

Oct 4, 2016

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Ann Hornaday

Washington Post

If the world is going to hell in any number of handbaskets -- as Judge so acutely demonstrates that it is -- you might as well hitch a ride in his.

May 7, 2009

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Crappy film.

Rated: D

Nov 20, 2020

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Peter Schom

IGN Movies

While dumb people are an easy target, Judge makes a mistake in only working variants of this one riff.

Rated: 4/10

Apr 9, 2020

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Lucy Barrick

Radio Times

Although Wilson's everyman is a bit too much of a blank slate to really care about, the gaudy visuals and cynical gags more than compensate.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 9, 2020

Full Review

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Yavanplayz ,

Short but good movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/04/25

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Marc P

This movie feels so current. It’s time for a remake—a more serious take on this story.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/13/25

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Ryan P

more relevant in 2025 than ever before

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/12/25

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BC S

Absolute underappreciated and timeless genius. The ONLY downside of this film is the fact that the costume designer was told to find the most idiotic footwear for the future cast to wear, and after an extensive search, she stumbled upon a startup looking for a break in the market, so they struck a deal. The movie was supplied with unlimited footwear for the cast to wear in the film... And Crocs were forever forced onto the Global Public.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/10/25

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Mark A

Thoughtful. Deep. Prophetic. Wonderful story.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/08/25

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Bryan S

This is definitely the path we're on. The movie turns it into comedy, but that's probably because we're already too dumb to appreciate a serious presentation.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/26/25

Full Review

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Mike Judge

Director

Luke Wilson

Pvt. Joe Bowers

Maya Rudolph

Rita

Dax Shepard

Frito

Terry Crews

President Camacho

David Herman

Secretary of State

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Synopsis

In 2005, average in every way private Joe Bowers (Luke Wilson) is selected to take part in a secret military experiment to put him in hibernation for a year along with a woman named Rita (Maya Rudolph). The slumbering duo is forgotten when the base they are stored on is closed down and are left in stasis until 2505. When they finally wake up, they discover the average intelligence of humans has decreased so much that Joe is now the smartest man in the world.

Director: Mike Judge
Producer: Mike Judge, Elysa Koplovitz
Screenwriter: Mike Judge, Etan Cohen
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Twentieth Century Fox
Rating: R (Sex-Related Humor|Language)
Genre: Comedy, Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 1, 2006, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Oct 4, 2016
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $438.7K
Runtime: 1h 24m
Sound Mix: Dolby, DTS

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