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Phenomenon

Play trailer Poster for Phenomenon PG Released Jul 3, 1996 2h 4m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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49% Tomatometer 37 Reviews 59% Popcornmeter 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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Phenomenon

Critics Reviews

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Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Moribund, dopey stuff. Jun 14, 2022 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Charles Cassady Common Sense Media Gentle tearjerker about sudden mental superpowers. Rated: 3/5 Dec 15, 2010 Full Review Chuck O'Leary Fantastica Daily Rated: 2/5 Oct 21, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member A different take on the “Flowers for Algernon” story. For what it’s worth, I enjoyed it quite a lot. 4.5/5 stars. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/07/25 Full Review Horror fan 4 One of my top 10 John Travolta movies. The performances were great. I love the story of a simple farmer turned genius and the remarkable journey we take will him as he uses those brains for science and love. Tim Treakle Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/02/25 Full Review Rokas K This is one of my favorite movies with John Travolta. It's a fantasy drama about a man whose mental abilities suddenly increased significantly and about the problems he has with it all the time. Not every subject touched upon was well developed and I wanted more from the movie (especially from the fantasy side, his mental abilities or even the threats to him), but I would still say that it was really good. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/26/25 Full Review David P If you're looking for Sci-Fi, high action, or comic book heroes, you'll be disappointed. This is a story that explores "what if?" and the power of simple people to make an extraordinary impact on those around them. Travolta is wonderful as George. He begins as a simple but kind man who appears to be a great friend and well-loved by all. He reaches out with kindness to Lace, a single mother who isn't living her best life after being burned by a bad man, and he is best friend to Nate, a helpless romantic who lacks the courage to share his love and life with anyone else. For all the focus on George's abilities after seeing "the light," the reality is that the real story is about the power of love and connection to heal Lace's heart and give Nate the courage and hope to want for something more. At the end [SPOILER ALERT] it only makes sense that the entire town celebrates his birthday, though dead. It's because George, and good people like him, touch all of our lives in ways simple and profound, leaving us better than before we met them. Just a sweet film, good for the whole family. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/20/25 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews
Phenomenon

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Movie Info

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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