K-PAX

Play trailer

K-PAX

PG-13

Released Oct 26, 2001

2h 0m

Drama

Sci-Fi

Fantasy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

41%

Tomatometer

140 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Tells the story of a mysterious patient (Kevin Spacey) at a mental hospital who claims to be from a distant planet called K-PAX. As his psychiatrist (Jeff Bridges) tries to figure out exactly how to help the patient, he gradually begins to realize that the so-called alien is having a remarkable effect on the mental health of the hospital's other patients.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

For those who have seen One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest or Starman, K-Pax may not hold anything new. The movie works best as a showcase for Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges.

Read Critics Reviews

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Terrific acting by Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 24, 2010

Full Review

Keith Uhlich

ToxicUniverse.com

Casting [Spacey and Bridges] against each other gives their scenes together a believability and intensity that comes directly out of their contrasting acting styles.

Rated: 2.5/5

Feb 7, 2003

Full Review

Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films

The most shameless psychological quackery to come out of Hollywood since Mumford.

Rated: D

May 9, 2002

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

A spiritual and intellectual wonderland of filmmaking.

Rated: 3.0/4.0

Sep 13, 2020

Full Review

Kathi Maio

The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction

Generally speaking, K-PAX actually works better as a film than as a novel. And it's not often you can say that!

Feb 27, 2020

Full Review

Pat Stacey

The Herald (Ireland)

Who else but [Jeff] Bridges could invest a mouldering clich like the world weary shrink who can solve everyone's problems but not his own with such depth and feeling? What a truly wonderful actor he is.

Oct 17, 2017

Full Review

Read all reviews

Audience Member

One of Spacey's best performances. Bridges did a wonderful job as Dr. Powell. Honorable mention: David Patrick Kelly as Howie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/07/25

Full Review

David I

The critics got it wrong, this is a very good movie

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/06/25

Full Review

Be S

This movie, about a man from another planet in a different galaxy, is really about human beings. Beautiful plurality in all its messiness and imperfection, juxtaposed with an alien who seems Spocklike but is far from not being able to feel. I hope I didn't give away the plot. For as unevolved as we Earthlings are, there is a beautiful connectivity on this planet that those on K-PAX can't experience and could never even imagine. Except for Prot.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/03/25

Full Review

Billy H.

Great film. Two great actors and phenomenal supporting cast.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/02/25

Full Review

Jerod S

Spacey and Bridges do great work if you can get down with the "guy from a different planet" bit.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/20/25

Full Review

Taylor H.

I found it enjoyable. Is he an alien or a psych patient? You’ll have to watch to find out! :) EDIT: I coincidentally watched this on Prot’s departure date! What are the odds? lmao

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/28/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Iain Softley

Director

Kevin Spacey

Prot

Jeff Bridges

Dr. Mark Powell

Mary McCormack

Rachel Powell

Alfre Woodard

Claudia Villars

David Patrick Kelly

Howie

A.I.: Artificial Intelligence

76%

64%

A.I.: Artificial Intelligence

Watchlist

TRAILER

for A.I.: Artificial Intelligence

Simone

50%

36%

Simone

Watchlist

Primer

72%

79%

Primer

Watchlist

The X-Files

66%

72%

The X-Files

Watchlist

Lady in the Water

25%

49%

Lady in the Water

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

New Line Signs Bettany & Fraser for "Inkheart"

DVD Tuesday: Planet of the Ape

New Line Prepares to Deliver "Inkheart"

View more photos

Synopsis

Tells the story of a mysterious patient (Kevin Spacey) at a mental hospital who claims to be from a distant planet called K-PAX. As his psychiatrist (Jeff Bridges) tries to figure out exactly how to help the patient, he gradually begins to realize that the so-called alien is having a remarkable effect on the mental health of the hospital's other patients.

Director: Iain Softley
Producer: Lawrence Gordon, Lloyd Levin, Robert F. Colesberry
Screenwriter: Charles Leavitt, Gene Brewer
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Lawrence Gordon Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Sensuality|Brief Language|Sequences of Violence)
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 26, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 18, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $50.3M
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now