Patch Adams

Play trailer

Patch Adams

PG-13

Released Dec 25, 1998

1h 55m

Comedy

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

21%

Tomatometer

71 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

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Syrupy performances and directing make this dramedy all too obvious.

Read Critics Reviews

John Monaghan

Detroit Free Press

Only inspires me to steer clear of both hospitals and any movie that casts Robin Williams as a lovable clown.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 5, 2023

Full Review

Joe Morgenstern

Wall Street Journal

Like too many of Mr. Williams's recent movies, Patch Adams wastes the genius of a peerless clown.

Apr 2, 2019

Full Review

Richard Corliss

TIME Magazine

Comics who want to do Hamlet often end up, as here, serving big, sticky slices of ham.

Apr 1, 2019

Full Review

Sean P. Means

Salt Lake Tribune

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.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 4, 2023

Full Review

Jonah Koslofsky

The Spool

Patch Adams is full of shit. I truly can't think of a better way to describe it.

Feb 9, 2021

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Patch Adams is offensive in the way it trots out every hoary plot device, no matter how improbable, exploitative or downright moronic.

Rated: 1/4

Dec 18, 2019

Full Review

Read all reviews

Audience Member

A great Robin Williams movie, fun but also kinda deep

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/01/25

Full Review

Victoria Y

Absolutely heart warming and inspiring, especially for anyone in the medical field. The idea that people like Patch Adams really do, and can exist is a breath of fresh air in a society that feels to be growing more negative, desensitized, and withdrawn into our selfish bubbles. Movies aren't made like this anymore, there is nothing wrong with feeling good about the nostalgia of its time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/18/25

Full Review

James R

It’s a great movie that shows an incredible and sad part of history. Robin Williams was amazing like always and it’s a great watch. Don’t let the “top critics” deter you from a good watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/14/25

Full Review

William B

One of those kind-hearted films I watched with mom

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/11/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Patch adams, um filme onde pode se achar a magia do riso e a tristeza de uma dor. Os "críticos" falam que patch adams não passa de uma vergonha. Como que uma vergonha pode acabar salvando vidas e mostrando que a felicidade pode sim andar ao lado de uma dor. O filme em si é muito bem detalhado e cita problemas mentais, a falta de empatia e como a risada pode ajudar com a dor.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/18/24

Full Review

Fer S

It started well and then it got kind of cheesy and I totally lost interest. Some very boring pointless dialogues. I heard the real Patch Adams did not like how he was represented.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/11/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Tom Shadyac

Director

Robin Williams

Hunter "Patch" Adams

Daniel London

Truman Schiff

Monica Potter

Corrine Fisher

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Mitch Roman

Bob Gunton

Dean Walcott

Patch Adams: Official Clip - Final Appeal

2:59

Patch Adams: Official Clip - You Treat a Person

3:12

Patch Adams: Official Clip - The Children's Ward

2:59

Patch Adams: Official Clip - At Your Cervix

2:59

Patch Adams: Official Clip - I Want to Help People

1:01

Patch Adams: Official Clip - Patch Earns His Nickname

2:46

Patch Adams: Official Clip - Group Therapy

1:42

Patch Adams: Official Clip - To Be a Great Doctor

2:13

Patch Adams: Official Clip - He At Least Listened

1:31

Patch Adams: Official Clip - Revealing Graduation

1:20

View more videos

A Merry War

69%

60%

A Merry War

Watchlist

Home Fries

31%

34%

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

View more photos

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