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Reality Bites

Play trailer Poster for Reality Bites PG-13 1994 1h 38m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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61% Tomatometer 59 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
After college, Lelaina (Winona Ryder) films a documentary about herself and friends as they flounder in their attempts to forge relationships and begin careers. Vickie (Janeane Garofalo) works retail, has an endless string of one-night stands and awaits the results of her HIV test. Sammy (Steve Zahn) tries to come out to his parents. Lelaina gets involved with yuppie Michael (Ben Stiller) while maintaining a love-hate relationship with Troy (Ethan Hawke), who's undergoing an existential crisis.
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Reality Bites

Reality Bites

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Critics Consensus

Reality Bites may be too slick to fulfill its promise as a profound statement on Generation X, but an appealing ensemble and romantic sizzle make for an entertaining dive into the ennui of youth.

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Critics Reviews

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Clarisse Loughrey Independent (UK) 08/03/2019
A lot has changed between the generations, but Reality Bites asks a question that anyone, of any age, will find familiar: what happens when the life you were promised isn't the life you got? Go to Full Review Noel Murray AV Club 08/03/2019
In a picture full of painful moments, it's hard to decide on the lowest point. Go to Full Review David Ansen Newsweek 02/15/2018
Written with verve and played with grace, Reality Bites is too smart to pass itself off as a definitive statement, but it gets the details delightfully right. Go to Full Review Sean Burns WBUR’s Arts & Culture 04/25/2024
For a lot of us Gen Xers, watching ‘Reality Bites’ now is like looking at an awkward yearbook picture of yourself when you had your worst haircut. Go to Full Review Grant Watson Fiction Machine 03/26/2021
6/10
As a depiction of a particular age in a particular country for a specific generation, it is still a pleasant nostalgic trip. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 06/17/2020
3/4
...a fairly by-the-numbers setup that's employed to impressively compelling (and relatable) effect by first-time filmmaker Stiller... Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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EE D Jan 11 Really hard to watch, it's soo cheesy that the bile got up my throat. The stupid beginning & then the opening scene where they argue at the table is just plain bad, couldn't watch more See more Iva E @iva.eisinger Jan 2 Don’t think I was the target audience for the nostalgia of this film. However, still enjoyed it for the vibes despite finding a few characters unlikable. See more Monty G @Montyginger Jan 1 You know it’s a good movie when Winona has the best haircut of all time and when it’s a Gen X movie See more Joy b @9mr_0 Dec 16 جيد القصة جيده رغم بعض الهفوات و الفلسفة المالها داعي See more Steve Y @Cubby65 Dec 4 If snark and pop culture references are your thing, you've come to the right place. Worth a watch, anyway. See more Edward B Oct 17 Thoroughly good movie If you are arthouse fan you're like this....a film that stay with you week and. Possibly months after viewing See more Read all reviews
Reality Bites

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Cast & Crew

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Ben Stiller

Director

Winona Ryder

Lelaina Pierce

Ethan Hawke

Troy Dyer

Ben Stiller

Michael Grates

Janeane Garofalo

Vickie Miner

Steve Zahn

Sammy Gray

Movie Clips

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Reality Bites

Reality Bites: Official Clip - My Sharona Reality Bites: Official Clip - My Sharona 1:05 Reality Bites: Official Clip - You Look Like a Doily Reality Bites: Official Clip - You Look Like a Doily 2:51 Reality Bites: Official Clip - A Den of Slack Reality Bites: Official Clip - A Den of Slack 1:47 Reality Bites: Official Clip - Troy Comes Back Reality Bites: Official Clip - Troy Comes Back 2:59 Reality Bites: Official Clip - A Total Prick Reality Bites: Official Clip - A Total Prick 2:54 Reality Bites: Official Clip - Only Love Can Break Your Heart Reality Bites: Official Clip - Only Love Can Break Your Heart 2:48 Reality Bites: Official Clip - Freaking Out Reality Bites: Official Clip - Freaking Out 2:27 Reality Bites: Official Clip - A Cup of Joe Reality Bites: Official Clip - A Cup of Joe 2:03 Reality Bites: Official Clip - The World Doesn't Owe You Any Favors Reality Bites: Official Clip - The World Doesn't Owe You Any Favors 2:18 Reality Bites: Official Clip - Non-Practicing Virgin Reality Bites: Official Clip - Non-Practicing Virgin 1:50 View more videos

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Reality Bites

Reality Bites (1994) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis After college, Lelaina (Winona Ryder) films a documentary about herself and friends as they flounder in their attempts to forge relationships and begin careers. Vickie (Janeane Garofalo) works retail, has an endless string of one-night stands and awaits the results of her HIV test. Sammy (Steve Zahn) tries to come out to his parents. Lelaina gets involved with yuppie Michael (Ben Stiller) while maintaining a love-hate relationship with Troy (Ethan Hawke), who's undergoing an existential crisis.
Director
Ben Stiller
Producer
Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg
Screenwriter
Helen Childress
Distributor
Argentina Video Home, United International Pictures, MCA/Universal Pictures [us]
Production Co
Jersey Films, Universal Pictures
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 18, 1994, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 30, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$20.0M
Runtime
1h 38m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo, DTS
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