Rudy

PG

Released Sep 18, 1993

1h 53m

Drama

TRAILER

for Rudy: Trailer 1

List

77%

48 Reviews

Tomatometer

90%

100,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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MAXX H

This movie is awesome and inspiring.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/07/24

Full Review

Patrick P

An inspiration film that makes one believe they can achieve their dreams no matter how difficult they may be to reach. Great acting and great story telling.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/03/24

Full Review

Benjamin J

Loved this film, it felt raw and real, no BS, it makes you believe that anyone has a shot, really inspiring, there's been an influx in sporting films over the last 15 years and many which are fantastic but a lot that are cheap and trashy, this isn't one of those! Brilliant, thought provoking, moving, and well written. Definitely worth a watch!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/24

Full Review

Hyunjae L

One of the greatest films that give the message of never giving up on your dreams. All time classic.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/11/24

Full Review

Lance U

I'm in no way a sports fan, however I am a movie fan, and as a movie fan, I know a great movie, when I see one. ‘Rudy' is a great movie. It's not only a great movie, it's the greatest sports movie ever made, period. Very highly recommended! A-

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/04/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Another one of Sean Astin's earlier roles to face pre-'Lord of the Rings' A lovable supporting cast too from Robert Prosky, Ned Beatty, Lili Taylor, and Jon Favereau Based on a true story and directed by David Anspaugh, Astin playsDaniel Rudy Ruettiger, a dyslexic young man who dreams of playing football at the University of Notre Dame Sadly everyone keeps reminding him he doesn't have the athletic build or the grades to qualify His tuition alone costs $1000 and he's stuck working at a steel mill but Rudy is determined to make his dream come true Everything changes when he's willing to get good grades, his own colors, and affecting his teammates as well as his family This is a memorable performance by Sean Astin, has some of the best music composed in a sports film, and a very uplifting spirit of confidence Yes there are liberties taken but it's a very good viewing for sports lovers and underdog enthusiasts Having dreams is what makes life tolerable, not everyone is meant to go to college, dreamers can't be doers, does chasing a dream make everything miserable?, do you have to be good enough for yourself or for others, perseverance is a powerful tool in the face of endless negativity This is a treasure of information to be remembered

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/22/23

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

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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

1:58

Rudy 25th Anniversary: Special Event - 25th Anniversary Fathom Events Trailer

0:30

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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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Douglas Davidson

Elements of Madness

... watching a film like RUDY reminds us that sometimes the power of belief, or as Lasso puts it, “to believe in believe,” is magic enough to set aside cynicism long enough to remind ourselves that dreams that uplift are laudable and should be supported.

Nov 13, 2023

Full Review

Rachel Wagner

Rachel's Reviews (YouTube)

It's definitely a really wonderful movie if you want to be inspired by a goal that you have in your life and you want to be motivated.

Jun 28, 2019

Full Review

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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: Lee R. Mayes
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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