The Pursuit of Happyness

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The Pursuit of Happyness

PG-13

Released Dec 15, 2006

1h 56m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

67%

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175 Reviews

87%

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250,000+ Ratings

A struggling salesman takes custody of his son as he's poised to begin a life-changing professional career.

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Critics Consensus

Will Smith's heartfelt performance elevates The Pursuit of Happyness above mere melodrama.

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Brian Tallerico

UGO

In an effort to make a crowd-pleasing film, the horrors that Gardner must have experienced on the streets feel glossed over by the Hollywood machine.

Mar 24, 2007

Full Review

Tim Robey

Daily Telegraph (UK)

We may wonder if happiness can be bought this way, and whether the film being sold to us isn't a slightly suspect package, but Smith, sublime and moving, sells it regardless.

Jan 17, 2007

Full Review

Paul Arendt

BBC.com

Deserves kudos for avoiding saccharine sentiment, but its relentless emphasis on money as the cure for all ills is depressing. They might as well have called it The Pursuit of Richyness.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 14, 2007

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Nicholas Oon

Maximum Hype (YouTube)

It is Will Smith's lead performance in this that really stole the show and won me over. It really elevated this movie.

Rated: 7.5/10

Sep 4, 2021

Full Review

Joanne Laurier

World Socialist Web Site

The Pursuit of Happyness reveals the soul-wasting nature of poverty and the lack of prospects for those condemned to economic oblivion.

Sep 2, 2020

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Mattie Lucas

The Dispatch (Lexington, NC)

Will Smith can carry a film. And carry it he does, because without him, Happyness would founder in its own schmaltz.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jun 6, 2019

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thiago s

Filme bacaninha, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são bacaninhas, a história é mais ou menos, o elenco é mais ou menos, e só o Will smith ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são bacaninhas, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes e o drama melhorou o filme.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

08/15/25

Full Review

Jace T

Ever since I first watched The Pursuit of Happyness I have always loved it. It is a very well written story about a struggling and ambitious dad trying to chase his dream of being happy while struggling with the strife that comes his way. Will Smith plays an amazing role here, and Jaden Smith is amazing as his son in this movie. This is a powerful movie that has the potential to be transformative. Absolutely worth the watch.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/14/25

Full Review

André Ferreira F

Um belo filme que mostra ao espectador as dificuldades que várias pessoas passam na vida. O foco do filme é a tentativa de um pai que busca forma de dar a si e à sua família (em particular o filho) felicidade. Apesar de parecer que o filme dá demasiado ênfase ao dinheiro como meio de atingir felicidade, através dos olhos do filho podemos encontrar momentos onde a felicidade é encontrada mesmo sem boas condições de vida. O filme também mostra a importância de resiliência e foco para a superação de dificuldades. (avaliação: 8.5/10)

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/09/25

Full Review

Daniel L

An inspiring story about perseverance and hope. Will Smith delivers one of his best performances. It shows the struggle of a father trying to succeed. The movie teaches about resilience and never giving up. Perfect for those who enjoy emotional, real-life stories. Hernan David Chaparro

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/15/25

Full Review

Stachu K

I will just say it. This is absolute cinema. My favorite scene is on the train station. Its just the acting in the best version.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/29/25

Full Review

Jean M

This movie absolutely moved me and my perception of poverty. Will Smith's performance is fantastic, elevated the movie so much. One of my favorite ever.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/06/25

Full Review

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Gabriele Muccino

Director

Will Smith

Chris Gardner

Jaden Smith

Christopher

Thandiwe Newton

Linda

Brian Howe

Jay Twistle

James Karen

Martin Frohm

The Pursuit of Happyness: Official Clip - Basketball and Dreams

1:46

The Pursuit of Happyness: Official Clip - Final Scene: Chris is Hired

2:11

The Pursuit of Happyness: Official Clip - The Time Machine

2:13

The Pursuit of Happyness: Official Clip - Rubik's Cube

2:13

The Pursuit of Happyness: Official Clip - First Impression

2:05

The Pursuit of Happyness: Official Clip - Cold Calling

1:57

The Pursuit of Happyness: Official Clip - Running

1:59

The Pursuit of Happyness: Official Clip - No Y in Happiness

1:15

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Synopsis

A struggling salesman takes custody of his son as he's poised to begin a life-changing professional career.

Director: Gabriele Muccino
Producer: Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch, James Lassiter, Will Smith
Screenwriter: Steve Conrad
Distributor: Sony Pictures
Production Co: Escape Artists, Columbia Pictures Corporation, Overbrook Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Some Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 15, 2006, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $162.6M
Runtime: 1h 56m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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