The Notebook

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2:13

The Notebook

PG-13

Released Jun 25, 2004

2h 4m

Romance

Drama

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Popcornmeter

54%

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183 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

In 1940s South Carolina, mill worker Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling) and rich girl Allie (Rachel McAdams) are desperately in love. But her parents don't approve. When Noah goes off to serve in World War II, it seems to mark the end of their love affair. In the interim, Allie becomes involved with another man (James Marsden). But when Noah returns to their small town years later, on the cusp of Allie's marriage, it soon becomes clear that their romance is anything but over.

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Critics Consensus

It's hard not to admire its unabashed sentimentality, but The Notebook is too clumsily manipulative to rise above its melodramatic clichés.

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Scott Tobias

AV Club

In a romance where paradise is a duck-filled pond, it helps to be mild-mannered.

Feb 2, 2019

Full Review

Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Dentistry in the Renaissance could not have been more painful than watching this.

Rated: 1/5

Feb 2, 2019

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Leslie Felperin

The Times (UK)

A honey-dipped love story with a surprisingly tart aftertaste, The Notebook is a better-than-you'd-expect adaptation of Nicholas Sparks's bestselling novel of the same name.

Feb 2, 2019

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Mary Kassel

Screen Rant

Romance might not be for everyone, but after more than 20 years, The Notebook holds an undeniable appeal that will convert every cynic.

Rated: 7/10

Apr 9, 2025

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Patricia Karounos

Refinery29

The Notebook is one of those movies that is so sad, you could break out into tears just thinking about it.

Oct 23, 2023

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Mark Jackson

Epoch Times

A tearjerker? It'll make you cry but it's not manipulative. A chick flick? It's just an inspiring love story that will touch your heart and make you believe true love can last a lifetime and conquer all. Isn't that what we all want?

Rated: 4/5

Apr 21, 2023

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Shayla

Your review will help others decide whether to watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/25/21

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Nicolette M

Love Ryan Gosling - those broody eyes! Dont let them cheapen u with dime a dozen movies, wait for the good scripts and leave your mark. Great cast!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/29/25

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Demian Z

This is the story of true love. The Notebook based on a true story from director Nick Cassavetes and starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. Noah and Allie love eachother but I love the story, the acting and the love that I see on screen. The story is about Noah and Allie and they love eachother very much. The story is told when they're old. Allie has Alzheimer and Noah reads their story so that she could remember everything. Their love was everything in the summer that they met but eventually broke up. But it wasn't over for them both. They waited 7 years for eachother and then came back together. It's a beautiful story for everyone. It has a sad ending that could really make you cry. Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdms did an amazing job with the acting. You could really see and feel the love that they had on screen. The fights that they had were also perfectly acted. The rest of the cast also did an great job with the film. The house with the river and everything around it is beautiful. A great filming location for a love story. The music is also beautiful. I would recommend this film for everyone who loves a love story and some drama. You could even watch it when you just want to cry. The story is beautiful and the acting is fantastic. And "I'll be seeing you" with my next review.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/26/25

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R F.

I thought this was an excellent story with solid acting. The leads are my favorite male and female actors.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/25/25

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kitti T.

i just think this is cutesy

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/10/25

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lucia v

One of the best romance movies out there. The story is very cute and the actors are excellent. You're definitely going to cry, but the ending is very deserving of the great movie behind it. It's not a full 5 stars due to the fact that, although I could connect with the story and the characters, the whole first part of Noah and Allie's romance felt a bit rushed, everything happened too fast, that's the only negative point I find about this movie, but still the story of the two of them could be told well. Anyway, it's definitely worth a watch.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/25/25

Full Review

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Nick Cassavetes

Director

Ryan Gosling

Noah Calhoun

Rachel McAdams

Allie Hamilton

James Garner

Duke

Gena Rowlands

Allie Calhoun

James Marsden

Lon

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The Notebook: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In 1940s South Carolina, mill worker Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling) and rich girl Allie (Rachel McAdams) are desperately in love. But her parents don't approve. When Noah goes off to serve in World War II, it seems to mark the end of their love affair. In the interim, Allie becomes involved with another man (James Marsden). But when Noah returns to their small town years later, on the cusp of Allie's marriage, it soon becomes clear that their romance is anything but over.

Director: Nick Cassavetes
Producer: Mark Johnson, Lynn Harris
Screenwriter: Nick Cassavetes, Jeremy Leven, Nicholas Sparks, Jan Sardi
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Production Co: New Line Cinema, Avery Pix
Rating: PG-13 (Some Sexuality)
Genre: Romance, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 25, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 18, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $81.0M
Runtime: 2h 4m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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