Rudy

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Rudy

PG

Released Sep 18, 1993

1h 53m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

78%

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50 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Rudy Ruettiger (Sean Astin) wants to play football at the University of Notre Dame, but has neither the money for tuition nor the grades to qualify for a scholarship. Rudy redoubles his efforts to get out of the steel mill where his father works when his best friend (Christopher Reed) dies in an accident there. Overcoming his dyslexia thanks to his friend and tutor, D-Bob (Jon Favreau), Rudy gains admission to Notre Dame and begins to fight his way onto the school's fabled football team.

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Critics Consensus

Though undeniably sentimental and predictable, Rudy succeeds with an uplifting spirit and determination.

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Johanna Steinmetz

Chicago Tribune

Anspaugh, whose Hoosiers showed he knows from feel-good movies, directs this story as if he were conducting Bolero, carefully building climax upon climax as the story spirals to an underdog triumph every bit as tearful as that of Rocky.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 23, 2016

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Jeff Shannon

Seattle Times

The film is so effective because Rudy is never seen as mock-heroic, and he's never lifted toward unrealistic achievement. He simply does the very best he can.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 23, 2016

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Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

Underneath its rah-rah spirit, the PG-rated Rudy is straightforward enough to raise, albeit unintentionally, some troubling questions.

Aug 23, 2016

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Rudy is all heart, which provides a greater contrast in the face of continuing pitfalls, as well as a decent protagonist for this uplifting, encouraging tale.

Rated: 7/10

Feb 6, 2025

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JD Duran

InSession Film

A great example of how "Hollywooding" something up a little can turn a fantastic true story into something that can affect the viewer even more than just the truth. These are the kinds of films that can only be done in America.

Rated: A+

Aug 15, 2024

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

A likable if rather bland underdog tale, with director David Anspaugh and screenwriter Angelo Pizzo (who both scored with 1986’s meatier Hoosiers) dutifully checking off the boxes inherent in such Americana fare.

Rated: 2.5/4

Nov 19, 2023

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Aron M

This movie makes you feel like you’re not doing enough in life. Imma sign up for astronaut school tomorrow.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/11/25

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Conrad C

While the movie has plenty of heart, it's hard to feel the story was a complete triumph. Still, it's hard not to cheer for the underdog, and in this case the movie itself as it tells a true story that is much truer to life than most.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/09/25

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Ken H

A young man who WON by SPIRIT with all odds against him..He inspired millions who watched this movie of his REAL LIFE.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/06/24

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Stephen H

The best sports movie of all-time. Go Irish!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/30/24

Full Review

Audience Member

This film, which is based on a true story, follows Rudy Ruettiger, a superfan of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, whose one dream is to one day play on the team. But despite his love for football, and the team, everyone—from his teachers to his family and friends—tells him it’s impossible due to his lack of athletic ability, mediocre grades, and limited finances. When his sole supporter, Pete, dies in an accident at the steel mill where they work, Rudy commits to pursuing his dream, determined to prove everyone wrong—and to prove to himself that he can do it. With unwavering passion, heart, and the help of a few unlikely mentors, he makes his dream a reality. Overall, due to an inspirational soundtrack, an uplifting message, Astin's authentic and heartfelt performance, and a compelling underdog story, this movie is very good, and even though I’ve never been particularly interested in sports—making the football scenes less impactful for me—and despite its predictability (the outcome is obvious from the start), I still greatly enjoyed this feature and believe it’s essential for motivating and influencing future generations, demonstrating that anything is possible if you work hard enough to achieve it and showing the importance in following your dreams, however crazy they may be.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/29/24

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Audience Member

Great football film. If not the best.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/27/24

Full Review

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David Anspaugh

Director

Sean Astin

Rudy Ruettiger

Ned Beatty

Daniel

Charles S. Dutton

Fortune

Robert Prosky

Father Cavanaugh

Lili Taylor

Sherry

Rudy: Official Clip - Rudy's Victory

2:12

Rudy: Official Clip - I've Been Ready for This My Whole Life

2:08

Rudy: Official Clip - Last Game of the Season

1:16

Rudy: Official Clip - This Is for Rudy, Coach

2:11

Rudy: Official Clip - Fortune's Truth

2:12

Rudy: Official Clip - Football Tryouts

2:07

Rudy: Official Clip - Rudy Sacks O'Hara

1:31

Rudy: Official Clip - First Practice

1:52

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Rudy: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Rudy Ruettiger (Sean Astin) wants to play football at the University of Notre Dame, but has neither the money for tuition nor the grades to qualify for a scholarship. Rudy redoubles his efforts to get out of the steel mill where his father works when his best friend (Christopher Reed) dies in an accident there. Overcoming his dyslexia thanks to his friend and tutor, D-Bob (Jon Favreau), Rudy gains admission to Notre Dame and begins to fight his way onto the school's fabled football team.

Director: David Anspaugh
Producer: Robert N. Fried, Cary Woods
Screenwriter: Angelo Pizzo
Distributor: Columbia Tristar, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: TriStar Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 18, 1993, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 1, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.7M
Runtime: 1h 53m
Sound Mix: Surround

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