Phenomenon

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Phenomenon

PG

Released Jul 3, 1996

2h 4m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

49%

Tomatometer

37 Reviews

59%

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100,000+ Ratings

On his birthday, mechanic George Malley (John Travolta) sees a flash of light and proceeds to exhibit extraordinary mental abilities. He becomes a genius, even showing an ability to move objects with his mind. George wishes to help people, but the government wants to take him in for observation. Soon, George finds out from Dr. Brunder (Robert Duvall) that he has a massive brain tumor. With this new knowledge, George decides to spend his time with girlfriend Lace (Kyra Sedgwick).

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Moribund, dopey stuff.

Jun 14, 2022

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Carol Buckland

CNN.com

Travolta is terrific! And in a movie season dominated by brainless action flicks and big explosions, Phenomenon is something magically different.

Jan 5, 2018

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Anne Billson

Daily Telegraph (UK)

This so-so Capra-esque fable with undertones of L. Ron Hubbard takes a turn for the worse after the first hour.

Nov 22, 2017

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Matt Brunson

Creative Loafing

For a movie that's ostensibly about intelligence, Phenomenon proves to be rather simple-minded.

Rated: 2/4

Jul 13, 2012

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Charles Cassady

Common Sense Media

Gentle tearjerker about sudden mental superpowers.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 15, 2010

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Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

Rated: 2/5

Oct 21, 2005

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Mike K

This is like talking to the dummies that kept asking about UFOs. A complete story, perfectly edited, brilliantly acted and directed... oh yeah. No guns, no sex, no blood. That explains it. Always read audience reviews on ROTTEN, and almost always was well guided to the good ones and avoid the rotten ones. This audience really let me down on this one. Travolta, Duvall, Whittaker! Really? Note to J. Rosenbaum You were obviously a sad child.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/16/25

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Audience Member

Really interesting premise, but really fell flat 2/3rd's of the way through the movie - felt like the story could have explored better options. However the acting and casting were fantastic.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/12/25

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Audience Member

It's a good movie, i enjoyed it...

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/26/25

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Jim P

It's not great but it's a sci-fi rom-com with an interesting story. What's not to like?!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/29/25

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Jelisije J

John Travolta gives one of his best work as a man who on his birthday after seeing a bright light in the sky starts to get smarter, move things with his mind, and becomes a subject of controversy of the community he lives in. Was it aliens or an angel that gave him powers all he knows he will do whats right by his fellow man and win a women's heart at the end of the day.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/28/24

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Jerod S

Alright - maybe its super cheese, but it's a decent family film that explores the supernatural, aliens, friendship, cancer and death.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

11/23/24

Full Review

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Jon Turteltaub

Director

John Travolta

George Malley

Kyra Sedgwick

Lace Pennamin

Forest Whitaker

Nate Pope

Jeffrey DeMunn

Prof. John Ringold, Seismologist

Robert Duvall

Doc Brunder

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Synopsis

On his birthday, mechanic George Malley (John Travolta) sees a flash of light and proceeds to exhibit extraordinary mental abilities. He becomes a genius, even showing an ability to move objects with his mind. George wishes to help people, but the government wants to take him in for observation. Soon, George finds out from Dr. Brunder (Robert Duvall) that he has a massive brain tumor. With this new knowledge, George decides to spend his time with girlfriend Lace (Kyra Sedgwick).

Director: Jon Turteltaub
Producer: Michael Taylor, Barbara Boyle
Screenwriter: Gerald Di Pego
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Touchstone Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 3, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $104.6M
Runtime: 2h 4m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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