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The Notebook

Play trailer 2:13 Poster for The Notebook PG-13 Released Jun 25, 2004 2h 4m Romance Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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54% Tomatometer 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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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 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Shayla Your review will help others decide whether to watch. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/25/21 Full Review Fari Y I LOVE RACHEL McADAMS!!! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 06/16/25 Full Review Brayden M Movies don't usually make me cry but the pure romance that this movie brings is unexplainable. Definitely one of the most romantic movies of all time. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/02/25 Full Review Stephen C A successful romantic drama movie in just 2 hours and 4 minutes. Rated PG-13 for Some Sexuality!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/29/25 Full Review Ricardo Gil P It’s a good movie. A love story and Rachel McAdams is a great actress. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 05/29/25 Full Review Maxx M The Notebook is one of the most romantic and sad movies I have ever seen. Released in 2004, staring Rachel McAdams as Allie Hamelton and Ryan Gosling as Noah Calhoun playing the young couple seen in the movie. The plot involves Aliie Hamelton coming from money and Noah Calhoun coming from rags fall in love during the 1940’s while Allie’s family is on vacation. After Allie leaves Noah tries to keep in contact by writing 360 letters never getting a response. Years later they reconnect and ensue one of the saddest, tear-jerking stories ever. Do they have a happy ending after all? The film is set in a range of places around America including Seabrook, Charleston, and Mount Pleasant in South Carolina, including a short spin in New York City. The soundtrack includes one of the most beautiful piano soundtracks called “The Notebook”, by Aaron Zigman. The acting being some of the best work in the actor’s careers. With Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams’ chemistry really showing through in the movie even with the melodramatic or sometimes cheesy story. I would highly recommend The Notebook if you like cheesy, romantic, but heartbreaking films that leaves you with tears in your eyes by the end of it I am positive you will enjoy watching this. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/19/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

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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