Rain Man

Play trailer

Rain Man

R

Released Dec 14, 1988

2h 13m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

137 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

When car dealer Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise) learns that his estranged father has died, he returns home to Cincinnati, where he discovers that he has an autistic older brother named Raymond (Dustin Hoffman) and that his father's $3 million fortune is being left to the mental institution in which Raymond lives. Motivated by his father's money, Charlie checks Raymond out of the facility in order to return with him to Los Angeles. The brothers' cross-country trip ends up changing both their lives.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

This road-trip movie about an autistic savant and his callow brother is far from seamless, but Barry Levinson's direction is impressive, and strong performances from Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman add to its appeal.

Read Critics Reviews

Chris Bennion

Times (UK)

Now its portrayal of autism is seen as somewhat crude. However, there is no denying the power of the story and of Dustin Hoffman’s Oscar-winning performance as Raymond Babbitt.

Jan 2, 2024

Full Review

Edward Porter

Times (UK)

Yet his [Tom Cruise's] charisma is what keeps Barry Levinson’s film running smoothly.

Feb 27, 2023

Full Review

Jay Scott

Globe and Mail

It's the Christmas picture that cares, the UNICEF epic, and that must explain why no one seems to notice, or to care, that from minute to minute. the story itself is second-hand hokum.

Aug 8, 2022

Full Review

James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

the pairing of Hoffman and Cruise was lightning in a bottle, although on the surface it seemed like an utterly incongruous pairing

Rated: 3.5/4

Oct 8, 2023

Full Review

Barbara Beck

Philadelphia Daily News

Dustin Hoffman's portrayal of Raymond is light years away from the big lunk Lenny in Of Mice and Men or the deaf-mute girl in Johnny Belinda. It is, quite simply, the most memorable, impassioned performance of the year.

Sep 13, 2023

Full Review

Mark Johnson

Awards Daily

Rain Man is a delightful and sentimental film about two brothers reconnecting and reconciling

Jun 27, 2023

Full Review

Read all reviews

Melissa M

In the film in the film Tom Cruise plays a self-absorbed car salesman. Who owes money to just about everybody. He's on his way to Palm Springs with his girlfriend. When he finds out that his father passed away. After the reading of the will he gets next to nothing. This puts him into a frenzy. As the movie progresses he finds out that he has a brother. His brother is autistic. Charlie believes that he's owed something more than he got from his father's will. He's so self obsessed with his own problems he doesn't stop to think about what's best for Raymond. Charlie realizes that Raymond has a special gift for memorization. He tries to use that to his advantage. Later in the movie he finds out that Raymond is Rain Man. Charlie has a change of heart about Raymond. And finally decides to do the right thing. This movie is heartfelt & heartwarming. Dustin Hoffman playing Raymond it's one of the best performances of his career. Tom Cruise as Charlie Babbitt plays the part perfectly.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/25

Full Review

Hugh J

There are few movies that are so important they define a generation. This is one of them. A true coming-of-age tale that many can relate to in one way or another, and the more we learn about mental illness the more important films like this are that show just how multi-faceted it can be.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/25

Full Review

B. A

A comedy that brings you to tears when the credits role. A breathtaking and moving film with such fantastic acting from both lead roles, with Tom Cruise showcasing that he can be more than a blockbuster protagonist who runs and jumps. It is a lost gem, and I hope it gains more attention as years go on.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/17/25

Full Review

Johannes S

A great, heartwarming story with top-notch performances by every lead.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/07/25

Full Review

Bradley S

A clever script with an incredibly lovable character.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/06/25

Full Review

Denis R

A movie everyone should watch at least once.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Barry Levinson

Director

Dustin Hoffman

Raymond 'Ray' Babbitt

Tom Cruise

Charles Sanford 'Charlie' Babbitt

Valeria Golino

Susanna

Gerald R. Molen

Dr. Bruner

Jack Murdock

John Mooney, Will Executor

Youngblood

44%

69%

Youngblood

Watchlist

Bright Lights, Big City

57%

38%

Bright Lights, Big City

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Bright Lights, Big City

The Pope of Greenwich Village

77%

74%

The Pope of Greenwich Village

Watchlist

Clean and Sober

56%

62%

Clean and Sober

Watchlist

Full Moon in Blue Water

25%

27%

Full Moon in Blue Water

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

New 4K UHD Movies in June 2023: Upcoming 4K Releases on Blu-ray

Rank Tom Cruise’s 10 Best Movies

Rank Tom Cruise’s 10 Best Movies

View more photos

Synopsis

When car dealer Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise) learns that his estranged father has died, he returns home to Cincinnati, where he discovers that he has an autistic older brother named Raymond (Dustin Hoffman) and that his father's $3 million fortune is being left to the mental institution in which Raymond lives. Motivated by his father's money, Charlie checks Raymond out of the facility in order to return with him to Los Angeles. The brothers' cross-country trip ends up changing both their lives.

Director: Barry Levinson
Producer: Mark Johnson
Screenwriter: Ronald Bass, Barry Morrow
Distributor: United Artists, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: United Artists, Star Partners II Ltd., Guber-Peters Company
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 14, 1988, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 2, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $171.2M
Runtime: 2h 13m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Most Popular at Home Now