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The Majestic

Play trailer Poster for The Majestic PG 2001 2h 32m Comedy Drama Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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42% Tomatometer 142 Reviews 61% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Rising Hollywood screenwriter Peter Appleton (Jim Carrey) is blacklisted in the early 1950s Red Scare. Following a drunken car accident, he wakes with amnesia near the small town of Lawson, Calif., where the residents mistake him for Luke Trimble, a local boy declared missing in action during World War II. As Peter helps Luke's father (Martin Landau) and high school sweetheart (Laurie Holden) reopen the town's sole movie theater, questions arise about his true identity and motivations.
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The Majestic

The Majestic

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Critics Consensus

Ponderous and overlong, The Majestic drowns in forced sentimentality and resembles a mish-mash of other, better films.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek I staggered out of this shameless, interminable movie feeling as if I'd been force-fed a ton of mealy, artificially sweetened baby food. Mar 8, 2018 Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media This corny movie may not appeal to kids. Rated: 3/5 Dec 28, 2010 Full Review Danny Graydon BBC.com A beautifully crafted and engagingly performed crowd-pleaser. Rated: 3/5 May 21, 2002 Full Review Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault A gentle, toothless, shameless movie, with a Jim Carrey performance to match. Rated: D Sep 17, 2022 Full Review Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens The Majestic -- it will make your heart, and your soul, smile. Enjoy the show! Nov 13, 2019 Full Review Matt Brunson Creative Loafing The first part of the movie will strike some viewers as inspiring and others as manipulative; at any rate, it's clearly the better half, since the final act is patently false and a queer whitewash of a tragic chapter in US history. Rated: 2/4 Mar 4, 2015 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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John H I loved it. The Majestic is my favourite Jim Carrey and Martin Landau movie. Besides the idyllic small town community feel and nostalgic cinema appeal, I happened to be falsely accused and have a court date looming at the time I first saw this film so it’s focus on standing up for what’s right against fear based lies resonated with me deeply as did the rich, romantic comedy stream of the well crafted story. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/02/25 Full Review Nathaniel P Such a huge surprise to me, a very underatted film its truly incredible film Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/25/25 Full Review Mitch B Now this isa love letter to the cinema. I love this movie and Jim Carrey's performance and also the rest of the cast was great as well and also, loved the small town in America. Great setting. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/07/25 Full Review Daughn G I personally like Jim Carey dramas. Yes some emotions are forced or rushed in some scenes but movies do that for the sake of moving along and getting on with more of the story instead of lingering on one scene and I recognize and appreciate that. Every movie has flaws but since nothing really agitates me enough to go off on a rant I think it's worth watching. Like all dramas you have to be in the mood for such a movie. This movie gives you a glimpse of what it would feel like to escape who you are for awhile and be someone else, walk in someone else's shoes only to return and be a better you. Harmless and thought provoking. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/06/25 Full Review Myra V. C I personally enjoy this movie. Is 3 hrs long but you dnt feel it. Enjoyed Jim's portray and will watch it anytime any place. Recommend Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/03/25 Full Review Tim S I watched the movie with innocent eyes. Didn't know/care if it was/wasn't derivative. I simply fell into the plot, didn't care if it was implausible. I accepted the movie as fact. From that vantage point, it was sweet and bittersweet, and hopeful, and sad, and cynical, and hopeful. The characters, assumed real, were kind and cynical and willing to find something to celebrate or memorialize or scorn, and it all worked for me. Because I accepted it as real, as plausible, as historic. I'll let the critics be critical. I'd rather simply ride the wave and hope for a safe landing. This movie gave me that, with a performance by Jim Carrey that I consider his best work. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/27/25 Full Review Read all reviews
The Majestic

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Cast & Crew

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Frank Darabont

Director

Jim Carrey

Peter Appleton

Martin Landau

Harry Trimble

Laurie Holden

Adele Stanton

David Ogden Stiers

Doc Stanton

James Whitmore

Stan Keller

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The Majestic

Adele (Laurie Holden) and Luke (Jim Carrey) share a romantic moment in "The Majestic." Director/Producer Frank Darabont with star Jim Carrey between scenes. Director/Producer Frank Darabont on the set of "The Majestic." (from left) Jeffrey DeMunn is Mayor Ernie Cole and Jim Carrey is Luke Trimble in "The Majestic" directed/produced by Frank Darabont. JIM CARREY stars as black-listed writer Peter Appleton in Castle Rock Entertainment's "The Majestic," distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures Jim Carrey stars in "The Majestic" as an ambitious Hollywood screenwriter who loses his job and identity during the 50's blacklist only to find new courage in the heart of a small town. (L to r) JIM CARREY and LAURIE HOLDEN star in Castle Rock Entertainment's "The Majestic," distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. "The Majestic" movie poster. Laurie Holden is Adele Stanton who rekindles her love with Luke Trimble (Jim Carrey). Luke (Kim Carrey), Harry trimble (Martin Landau) and Mayor Ernie Cole (Jeffrey DeMunn). View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Rising Hollywood screenwriter Peter Appleton (Jim Carrey) is blacklisted in the early 1950s Red Scare. Following a drunken car accident, he wakes with amnesia near the small town of Lawson, Calif., where the residents mistake him for Luke Trimble, a local boy declared missing in action during World War II. As Peter helps Luke's father (Martin Landau) and high school sweetheart (Laurie Holden) reopen the town's sole movie theater, questions arise about his true identity and motivations.
Director
Frank Darabont
Producer
Frank Darabont
Screenwriter
Michael Sloane
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Village Roadshow Pictures, NPV Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, Darkwoods Productions, Polyphony Digital
Rating
PG (Mild Thematic Elements|Language)
Genre
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 21, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA)
$27.8M
Runtime
2h 32m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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