John Candy: I Like Me

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2:39

John Candy: I Like Me

PG-13

2025

1h 53m

Documentary

Biography

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Popcornmeter

89%

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76 Reviews

96%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

From director Colin Hanks and producer Ryan Reynolds--both lifelong John Candy fans--comes John Candy: I Like Me, an exploration of the life and legacy of the comedic icon. The film showcases Candy's remarkable career, from his breakout turn on SCTV in his beloved native Canada to starring in some of the biggest comedies of all time. But it also delves deeply into Candy's life off-camera, through never-before-seen home videos and the personal recollections of those who knew him best. A remarkable roster of family members, close friends and colleagues share their memories of John Candy, creating an intimate and indelible portrait of an unforgettable talent who helped define a cinematic era. John Candy: I Like Me tells the story of a son, husband, father, friend, and star, driven to bring joy to audiences and loved ones while battling personal ghosts and Hollywood pressures.

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Critics Consensus

Focusing on the good times as it chronicles John Candy's life and career, I Like Me gathers those who knew and loved the iconic actor for a bittersweet retrospective that feels like a cathartic group hug.

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Tim Cogshell

FilmWeek (LAist)

Nov 11

Deeply, deeply moving... It made me remember how much I really loved John Candy.

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Christy Lemire

FilmWeek (LAist)

Nov 11

It's a lovely film and a great look back at a career that had more versatility than perhaps you'd realized.

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Coleman Spilde

Salon.com

Oct 15

Candy’s pursuit of goodness comes up repeatedly throughout “I Like Me,” to the point where a viewer can understand that, even amongst all of life’s pressures and its difficulties, it’s easy to live with integrity if you keep it by your side at all times.

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James Croot

The Post NZ

Jan 1

A charming and moving tribute to a man who believed "the secret to acting is to pretend real hard".

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Dan Buffa

Ramble On With Buffa (Substack)

Dec 31

Watching this will allow the sadness to creep in, but the joy of watching a comedic artist bring so much joy to people's lives is something to revisit.

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Louisa Moore

Screen Zealots

Nov 26

A heartfelt, tear-inducing tribute to a once-in-a-generation talent and the gentle soul behind the laughs. This documentary made me remember just how much joy Candy has brought into my life, and there’s something special (and bittersweet) about that.

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Stefan M

@smyles_eh Feb 1

You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll recall memories you forgot you had. This documentary has heart, a big heart. Beautifully directed by Colin Hanks, it shares private and public recollections of the impact this big man had on our collective selves. From Mr. Messenger and Johnny LaRue to Ox and Uncle Buck, Del Griffith and beyond, we all have our moments laughing at and with John Candy.

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Liam D

@Mediawatcher2003 Jan 23

Even if you are a fan of the late great comedian or not this is an impactful and emotional documentary that proves John Candy was gone from us way too soon

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Danny M

@Dannyj745 Dec 30

As an 80s kid i absolutely adored John Candy's movies & shows he was taken far too soon. His movie's remind me of happier times. Tgis documentary is definitely a must see if you rate John Candy I've watched it 4 times now its happy & extremely sad but it Honours John

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Wayne K

Dec 30

Few actors were as universally beloved during their lifetime as John Candy. As the opening of this documentary states, Candy, much like pro-wrestling’s Owen Hart, was the kind of person you could talk about for hours without having a single negative thing to say about them. With endless video footage and countless photos, we see a man at war with himself and his own past, his hidden traumas and the responsibilities that he couldn’t fulfil. It’s an emotional experience, largely because everyone involved is so passionate about John and his legend, and while it occasionally does this weird thing like its building to a climax only to carry on as normal afterwards, the impactful moments will melt even the stoniest of hearts. If you somehow don’t know who John Candy is, or are interested to know more about his life, then I Like Me is either a perfect introduction or a heartfelt tribute, depending on how you’re approaching it.

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Dallas H

@FozzieMcFly Dec 30

Colin Hanks has done an excellent job putting this documentary together. John Candy was a unique performer who resonated with audiences who tuned in to watch his improv skits, television shows, and movies. Johnny Toronto, we like you, too.

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Dean S.

@DeanDFW Dec 27

Worth watching if you are a fan of the actor.

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John Candy: I Like Me: Teaser

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Synopsis

From director Colin Hanks and producer Ryan Reynolds--both lifelong John Candy fans--comes John Candy: I Like Me, an exploration of the life and legacy of the comedic icon. The film showcases Candy's remarkable career, from his breakout turn on SCTV in his beloved native Canada to starring in some of the biggest comedies of all time. But it also delves deeply into Candy's life off-camera, through never-before-seen home videos and the personal recollections of those who knew him best. A remarkable roster of family members, close friends and colleagues share their memories of John Candy, creating an intimate and indelible portrait of an unforgettable talent who helped define a cinematic era. John Candy: I Like Me tells the story of a son, husband, father, friend, and star, driven to bring joy to audiences and loved ones while battling personal ghosts and Hollywood pressures.

Director: Colin Hanks
Producer: Ryan Reynolds, George Dewey, Colin Hanks, Shane Reid, Sean M. Stuart, Glen Zipper, Johnny Pariseau
Distributor: Prime Video
Production Co: Amazon MGM Studios, Company Name, Maximum Effort, Zipper Bros Films
Rating: PG-13 (Suggestive Material|Drug Material|Some Strong Language|Smoking)
Genre: Documentary, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 10, 2025
Runtime: 1h 53m

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