Rookie of the Year

PG

Released Jul 7, 1993

1 hr. 43 min.

Kids & Family

Comedy

List

41%

22 Reviews

Tomatometer

52%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

A freak accident causes 12-year-old Little League player Henry (Thomas Ian Nicholas) to become such a powerful and accurate pitcher that the Chicago Cubs sign the junior high student to a contract. Unprepared for such a high-pressure environment, Henry falters until aging fastballer Chet Steadman (Gary Busey) takes him under his wing and teaches him how to play in the big leagues. Meanwhile, his mother's venal boyfriend (Bruce Altman) tries to sell Henry's contract to a hated opposing team.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Apr 30

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Disney+

Apple TV

Watch Rookie of the Year with a subscription on Disney+, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

Critics Consensus

Rookie of the Year gets some laughs from its novel premise, but a high strikeout rate on jokes and sentimental fouls keeps this comedy firmly in the minor leagues.

Read Critics Reviews

Jeff K

I can't believe this movie has such a low score. It is one of my all time favorite childhood movies.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/24

Full Review

Kanale K

One of the best baseball movie that I've ever seen

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/12/23

Full Review

Oliver W

Very entertaining but lacks a good plot

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/31/23

Full Review

Luke M

It was a good movie. Pretty cheesy. If you are a cubs fan then you would like the movie, but if you are a Mets fan then you would hate this movie. Also this movie is a bit outdated. I mean, this movie was made in the 90's and even thought the 1990's wasn't that long ago, most 80's and 90's are outdated and more enjoyable for a 80's or 90's kid. I'm a kid living in the 2010's and 2020's so this movie is a bit outdated. 57%.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/22/23

Full Review

Isaiah S

I don't think it is a full 5 stars, but I think the score it was given was way too low

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/10/23

Full Review

red t

It was ok. The acting is above average with Thomas Inn Nicholas being half decent for child acting & Gary Busey being the best performance. The supporting cast is all either generic or over the top comedic delivery that is too cheesy. The cinematography & editing is all decent with nothing being incredibly shot but nothing really feeling out of place but nothing stands out really either. The pacing is uneven with the first part of the movie feeling very uneven at times because of hit or miss humor and the lack of Busey in the beginning making the acting very uneven also. The middle part of the movie is the best part with the story, acting and pacing all picking up momentum and having even some good charm which really surprised me. however the two biggest problems with the film besides it doesn't do anything spectacular technical wise is the ending is very predictable and and filled with jokes that didn't land at all which really killed the momentum for me and left me disappointed. The jokes throughout the rest of the film 90% of the time miss and fall flat. There not bad or cringe worthy its just they don't land at all and really kills the momentum of the film much of the time. Overall this is a forgettable 90's Family Sports Comedy that has its moments but doesn't do anything spectacular. It's just average and isn't really worth your time unless your a real hardcore sports movie fan. Skip It otherwise.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Daniel Stern

Director

Thomas Ian Nicholas

Henry Rowengartner

Gary Busey

Chet Steadman

Albert Hall

Sal Martinella

Amy Morton

Mary Rowengartner

Dan Hedaya

Larry Fisher

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

70%

77%

Mrs. Doubtfire

TRAILER

for Mrs. Doubtfire

24%

52%

Baby's Day Out

17%

41%

Dunston Checks In

64%

70%

Undercover Kitty

14%

38%

Garfield: The Movie

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

New on Prime Video and Freevee in September 2022

Rotten Tomatoes Predicts the World Series!

View more photos

Hollis Chacona

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 3/5

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

This movie is not likely to make my list of the year's best, but I can remember those miserable Little League games and so in a modest way I'm grateful for this film. It is pure wish-fulfillment, 40 years after I needed it.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

James Berardinelli

ReelViews

Rated: 0.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

Rookie of the Year may feature a preposterous premise but it still remains an entertaining baseball comedy three decades later.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 23, 2023

Full Review

Preston Barta

Fresh Fiction

‘Rookie of the Year’ doesn’t deserve the critical bench after 30 years. It’s an ace family sports movie!

Mar 7, 2023

Full Review

Malcolm Johnson

Hartford Courant

Inning after inning, Rookie of the Year goes down swinging, ignominiously. It's strictly bush league stuff.

Jun 4, 2018

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

A freak accident causes 12-year-old Little League player Henry (Thomas Ian Nicholas) to become such a powerful and accurate pitcher that the Chicago Cubs sign the junior high student to a contract. Unprepared for such a high-pressure environment, Henry falters until aging fastballer Chet Steadman (Gary Busey) takes him under his wing and teaches him how to play in the big leagues. Meanwhile, his mother's venal boyfriend (Bruce Altman) tries to sell Henry's contract to a hated opposing team.

Director: Daniel Stern
Executive Producer: Irby Smith, Jack Brodsky
Screenwriter: Sam Harper
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: 20th Century Fox
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 7, 1993, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $53.1M

Most Popular at Home Now