Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Patch Adams

Play trailer Poster for Patch Adams PG-13 1998 1h 55m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
22% Tomatometer 69 Reviews 73% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
After struggling with depression in a mental hospital, Hunter "Patch" Adams decides he wants to become a doctor. He enrolls at Virginia Medical University but is disillusioned by the school's clinical perspective on patient care. With the aid of a wealthy friend, Adams opens his own medical clinic for those without insurance. He forms a deep bond with fellow medical student Carin Fisher before a tragedy causes Adams to re-evaluate his approach.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

Patch Adams

Patch Adams

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Syrupy performances and directing make this dramedy all too obvious.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
John Monaghan Detroit Free Press 01/05/2023
2/4
Only inspires me to steer clear of both hospitals and any movie that casts Robin Williams as a lovable clown. Go to Full Review
Joe Morgenstern Wall Street Journal 04/02/2019
Like too many of Mr. Williams's recent movies, Patch Adams wastes the genius of a peerless clown. Go to Full Review
Richard Corliss TIME Magazine 04/01/2019
Comics who want to do Hamlet often end up, as here, serving big, sticky slices of ham. Go to Full Review
Sean P. Means Salt Lake Tribune 01/04/2023
2/4
Patch Adams does serve as a platform for Williams to do what he does best: evoke laughter and wring tears. Even when the movie flatlines, Williams keeps the beat. Go to Full Review
Jonah Koslofsky The Spool 02/09/2021
Patch Adams is full of shit. I truly can't think of a better way to describe it. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 12/18/2019
1/4
Patch Adams is offensive in the way it trots out every hoary plot device, no matter how improbable, exploitative or downright moronic. Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Jodie M @Monstersmum Dec 25 Patch Adams wasn't your typical funny Robin Williams movie. It was based on a true story and I personally believe an important message for the medical community. Patients aren't just their disease or condition. They have thoughts and feelings, their humour is still there, maybe hiding deep but it's there. The movie is a feel good movie and yes the acting may be syrupy, but it's still a good movie. See more Yash B @yashbansal Nov 28 "Patch Adams" is far from perfect, but it simply did not deserve the hate it received from the critics. This movie has a sweet center and is anchored by the great Robin Williams. The movie does feel a bit emotionally manipulative, and sometimes it is very sappy, but it is good-natured with a positive message. I felt the movie was way more entertaining in the beginning portions; in the second half, it started to become a bit more tedious to watch. I do think sometimes the movie just wants to elicit emotions out of the audience, and it forgets about things like nuance and pacing. Overall, it is a messy journey, but the movie is ultimately a positive experience because of its good intentions and a great performance from Robin Williams. See more John M @JohnAbernathie Oct 14 The critiques are idiots. The cinematography, the actor, the story are all inspirational. This movie is the reason why movies exist. This movie reminds us that movies have the ability to change the world and save lives. See more Gail G. @gguyon3 Aug 30 Very entertaining & heartfelt See more thiago s @Thiagostone Jul 18 Filme mais ou menos, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são mais ou menos, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jul 14 Funny in 1 hour and 55 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $135,000,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 16 years later, Robin Williams was gone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!! See more Read all reviews
Patch Adams

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Patch Adams

Patch Adams: Official Clip - Final Appeal Patch Adams: Official Clip - Final Appeal 2:59 Patch Adams: Official Clip - You Treat a Person Patch Adams: Official Clip - You Treat a Person 3:12 Patch Adams: Official Clip - The Children's Ward Patch Adams: Official Clip - The Children's Ward 2:59 Patch Adams: Official Clip - At Your Cervix Patch Adams: Official Clip - At Your Cervix 2:59 Patch Adams: Official Clip - I Want to Help People Patch Adams: Official Clip - I Want to Help People 1:01 Patch Adams: Official Clip - Patch Earns His Nickname Patch Adams: Official Clip - Patch Earns His Nickname 2:46 Patch Adams: Official Clip - Group Therapy Patch Adams: Official Clip - Group Therapy 1:42 Patch Adams: Official Clip - To Be a Great Doctor Patch Adams: Official Clip - To Be a Great Doctor 2:13 Patch Adams: Official Clip - He At Least Listened Patch Adams: Official Clip - He At Least Listened 1:31 Patch Adams: Official Clip - Revealing Graduation Patch Adams: Official Clip - Revealing Graduation 1:20 View more videos
A Merry War 69% 60% A Merry War Watchlist Home Fries 29% 33% Home Fries Watchlist Smoke Signals 90% 82% Smoke Signals Watchlist Fathers' Day 26% 26% Fathers' Day Watchlist The Pallbearer 48% 19% The Pallbearer Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis After struggling with depression in a mental hospital, Hunter "Patch" Adams decides he wants to become a doctor. He enrolls at Virginia Medical University but is disillusioned by the school's clinical perspective on patient care. With the aid of a wealthy friend, Adams opens his own medical clinic for those without insurance. He forms a deep bond with fellow medical student Carin Fisher before a tragedy causes Adams to re-evaluate his approach.
Director
Tom Shadyac
Producer
Mike Farrell, Barry Kemp, Marvin Minoff, Charles Newirth
Screenwriter
Steve Oedekerk
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Universal/Universal Int
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 25, 1998, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 9, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$135.0M
Runtime
1h 55m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
Most Popular at Home Now