Real Genius

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Real Genius

PG

Released Aug 7, 1985

1h 46m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

77%

Tomatometer

35 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

When science whiz Mitch Taylor (Gabe Jarret) arrives at Pacific Tech as a freshman, he's paired up with genius senior Chris Knight (Val Kilmer) to work on a laser project. Mitch initially doesn't care for Knight's slacker attitude, but is eventually won over, and their friendship allows them to make new progress on the laser project. It's only when the boys learn that the government intends to use the laser as a weapon that they start to question what they've actually been working for.

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Critics Consensus

It follows college tropes, but Real Genius has an optimistic streak that puts you on Val Kilmer's side all the way.

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Paul Attanasio

Washington Post

Coolidge has gotten onto something here, and the pity is that the story she's stuck with never gets her any deeper into it.

Jan 3, 2018

Full Review

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

The humor is relentlessly cruel, smug, and disconnected from any sense of how human beings might behave in similar situations.

May 30, 2007

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Variety

What lifts the production above the run-of-the-mill is swift direction by Martha Coolidge, who has a firm grasp over the manic material.

May 30, 2007

Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

The mid-’80s were big on teen-oriented sci-coms (scientific comedies), so you may have overlooked this gem with a great early performance by Val Kilmer.

Rated: A

Dec 2, 2022

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Douglas Davidson

Elements of Madness

Not only does the film hold up fairly well, but the deeper aspects of the narrative become more obvious some 37 years since its release.

Sep 13, 2022

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Allison Rose

FlickDirect

Let’s face it, how can you go wrong with “Smart people on ice!” ?

Rated: 4/5

Sep 13, 2022

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Stephen C

Funny in 1 hour and 46 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $130,800.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/04/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Whatever. Probably was good in the 80s but doesn't hold up now

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

05/11/25

Full Review

Carlos I

"Real Genius" is a decent, wacky teen comedy that capitalizes on the popular 80s trend of science-centric narratives. Val Kilmer delivers a standout performance as the charmingly irreverent genius, imbuing the film with a lively energy that elevates its high jinks. While the movie cleverly mingles humor with scientific brilliance, its blend of outlandish escapades and youthful ingenuity ultimately makes it an entertaining, if somewhat forgettable, piece of 80s cinema.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/04/25

Full Review

Matthew P

Utterly unenjoyable. I didn't think it was possible for Val Kilmer to be unlikable in a movie, but he was intolerable in this. He's not alone, as every character in the film except Jordon was unlikable. There's nobody to root for as I disliked everybody. The jokes are stale and the worst of 80s comedy style. Even the jokes that should be funny are delivered so poorly that they stop them from working. Nearly 2 hours of tedium. An utter disappointment.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

04/03/25

Full Review

Alan D

Loved the movie. One of my favorites. Definitely my favorite Val Kilmer movie. Yes, over Top Gun. My next favorite was his portrayal of Detective Dobson on Psych. The only thing holding this back from 5 stars is the the trailer and the movie poster showed Val Kilmer floating in a balloon chair, which was NOT IN THE MOVIE. RIP Val Kilmer.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/02/25

Full Review

Whistlerworld S

So many great lines and moments

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/09/25

Full Review

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Martha Coolidge

Director

Val Kilmer

Chris Knight

Gabriel Jarret

Mitch Taylor

William Atherton

Prof. Jerry Hathaway

Michelle Meyrink

Jordan

Jon Gries

Lazlo Hollyfeld

Real Genius: Official Clip - A Moral Imperative

2:07

Real Genius: Official Clip - Stop Playing With Yourself

2:09

Real Genius: Official Clip - Jordan Never Sleeps

1:51

Real Genius: Official Clip - File Under "H" for "Toy"

2:11

Real Genius: Official Clip - Lazlo's Lair

2:11

Real Genius: Official Clip - All Brain, No Penis

2:04

Real Genius: Official Clip - Jerry's House of Popcorn

2:13

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Real Genius: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

When science whiz Mitch Taylor (Gabe Jarret) arrives at Pacific Tech as a freshman, he's paired up with genius senior Chris Knight (Val Kilmer) to work on a laser project. Mitch initially doesn't care for Knight's slacker attitude, but is eventually won over, and their friendship allows them to make new progress on the laser project. It's only when the boys learn that the government intends to use the laser as a weapon that they start to question what they've actually been working for.

Director: Martha Coolidge
Producer: Brian Grazer
Screenwriter: Neal Israel, Pat Proft, Neal Israel, Pat Proft
Production Co: Delphi III Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 7, 1985, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $130.8K
Runtime: 1h 46m
Sound Mix: Surround

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