The Secret of My Success

PG-13

1987

1h 50m

Comedy

List

49%

Tomatometer

43 Reviews

58%

Audience Score

25,000+ Ratings

Recent college graduate Brantley Foster (Michael J. Fox) travels from his home in Kansas to New York City to pursue a new finance job. However, when Brantley arrives, he learns that his position has been eliminated, and he's forced to take a job working for his inept Uncle Howard (Richard Jordan), who became a company president through marriage. Brantley starts as a mere mailroom worker, but quickly climbs the corporate ladder when he begins posing as an executive.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Netflix

Apple TV

Watch The Secret of My Success with a subscription on Netflix, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

Critics Consensus

A miscast Michael J. Fox gives The Secret of My Success all the madcap energy he can muster, but it isn't enough to overcome confused direction and a recycled plot.

Read Critics Reviews

Sheila Johnston

Independent (UK)

The latest in a line of American films endorsing the merits of being worldly, ruthless and rich, it wears its heartlessness proudly on its sleeve.

Mar 29, 2023

Full Review

Derek Malcolm

Guardian

The Secret of My Success has too obvious an eye for the main box-office chance to be really successful either as farcical comedy or ironic social comment. But it's kind of fun.

Mar 29, 2023

Full Review

Victoria Mather

Daily Telegraph (UK)

This is a yuppie farrago about corporate raids and corpulent businessmen in which Fox plays the puppy.

Mar 28, 2023

Full Review

Alejandro Turdo

Hoy Sale Cine

As time passes by I find The Secret of My Success more of a fable about Capitalism, corporate ladders, Yuppies and 80s Reaganomics than this formulaic Rom-Com we were supposed to cruise through during its original release. And I totally dig that.

Rated: 5/5

Jun 27, 2024

Full Review

Philip French

Observer (UK)

The picture has no remotely critical attitude towards its characters or their milieu. It merely celebrates the acquisitive world of unprincipled workaholic yuppies.

Mar 29, 2023

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

...without much details of business, morals or anything much, it's a bland, corporate-headed confection...

Rated: 3/5

Jul 20, 2021

Full Review

Read all reviews

Jerry R

Movie is not bad, however I have NEVER watched a movie where the sound track music is so over bearing. Simply stated it ruins a decent story. I would immediately fire the sound director and perhaps make this a decent production, which he ruined by loud obnoxious music.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/17/24

Full Review

Steven

Imagine Alex P Keaton (Family Ties TV show), finally enters the workforce after college. Michael J Fox delivers in a role that inspired many Gen Xers into corporate positions. If you were lucky to work on Wall Street back in the day then you knew this movie. It's utter nonsense plot but Fox makes it believable and likeable in a 1980s kind of way (if you liked Mannequin you understand). Music track was good, good chemistry between actors, the attitude of "if you can make it here then you can make it anywhere" NY slogan... Best inspirational scene is brief clip of Fox in his hometown telling parents he's determined to make it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/06/23

Full Review

Darian M

I remember seeing this movie in the movie theater when it was released back in the late 80's as a 20-something college student. It was a corny, feel-good movie back then (typical 80's) and a much cornier movie today. The movie has a strong 80's sound track and a great performance by Margaret Whitton as Vera which saved the movie from disaster. So I watched it when it was brand new, watched it once again after 35+ years, and I do not feel the need to ever watch it again.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/23/23

Full Review

Jerad H

Michael J. Fox and Helen Slater were fantastic, but Margaret Whitton stole the show every time she entered the screen. This movie is a classic that stands the test of time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/26/23

Full Review

EAZY A

I don't get the low reviews, this was a really enjoyable movie. It is totally 80s and has a great story and acting. Michael J. Fox was PERFECT for this movie, and the music was great too. Definitely give it a watch.👍

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/08/23

Full Review

Alan G

I like it a lot. It has aged very well. From the awful hairstyles of that era and the making fun of the yuppies. Its a bit madcap and silly but good fun. A pleasant diversion from the serious stuff. The boss's wife got the best part which she plays very nicely. Fox does Fox.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/17/22

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Herbert Ross

Director

Michael J. Fox

Brantley Foster

Helen Slater

Christy Wills

Richard Jordan

Howard Prescott

Margaret Whitton

Vera Prescott

John Pankow

Fred Melrose

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Biloxi Blues

76%

63%

Biloxi Blues

Happy Gilmore

62%

85%

Happy Gilmore

EDtv

63%

30%

EDtv

The Dream Team

50%

61%

The Dream Team

Kindergarten Cop

54%

52%

Kindergarten Cop

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

12 New Year’s Resolutions on Film

View more photos

Synopsis

Recent college graduate Brantley Foster (Michael J. Fox) travels from his home in Kansas to New York City to pursue a new finance job. However, when Brantley arrives, he learns that his position has been eliminated, and he's forced to take a job working for his inept Uncle Howard (Richard Jordan), who became a company president through marriage. Brantley starts as a mere mailroom worker, but quickly climbs the corporate ladder when he begins posing as an executive.

Director: Herbert Ross
Screenwriter: Jim Cash
Production Co: Rastar Pictures, Universal Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $65.3M
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Surround

Most Popular at Home Now