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The Notebook

Play trailer 2:13 Poster for The Notebook PG-13 2004 2h 3m Romance Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
55% Tomatometer 183 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
In the 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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The Notebook

The Notebook

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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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Critics Reviews

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Scott Tobias AV Club 02/02/2019
In a romance where paradise is a duck-filled pond, it helps to be mild-mannered. Go to Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian 02/02/2019
1/5
Dentistry in the Renaissance could not have been more painful than watching this. Go to Full Review Leslie Felperin The Times (UK) 02/02/2019
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. Go to Full Review Mary Kassel Screen Rant 04/09/2025
7/10
Romance might not be for everyone, but after more than 20 years, The Notebook holds an undeniable appeal that will convert every cynic. Go to Full Review Patricia Karounos Refinery29 10/23/2023
The Notebook is one of those movies that is so sad, you could break out into tears just thinking about it. Go to Full Review Mark Jackson Epoch Times 04/21/2023
4/5
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? Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Damian Feb 22 Absolute classic. Would recommend to any & everyone See more Pablo F Feb 21 An incredible classic for the ones that enjoys witnessing true love See more YM Feb 16 Cheaters getting away with cheating under the guise of “first loves always triumph”. See more Shayla 02/20/2021 Your review will help others decide whether to watch. See more Pedro Henrique C @Pedro2005 4d The Notebook (2004) Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams to deliver excellent on-screen chemistry. The film is quite beautiful and interesting to watch until the end, however the script pauses a few times along the way. See more Katelyn C @RT39807908 5d eh it’s okay not better than the minions and monsters movie See more Read all reviews
The Notebook

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Cast & Crew

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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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Movie Info

Synopsis In the 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 3m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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