Staying Alive

Play trailer

Staying Alive

PG

1983

1h 36m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

0%

Tomatometer

30 Reviews

39%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Six years after his glittering triumph in the disco dance contest of "Saturday Night Fever," an older and wiser Tony Manero (John Travolta) works as a serious dance teacher in New York City and dreams of making it on Broadway. Manero gets his shot when his girlfriend, Jackie (Cynthia Rhodes), gets him an audition for a daring new show called "Satan's Alley." Manero lands a part as a backup dancer and falls back into old habits as he lusts after Broadway bad girl Laura (Finola Hughes).

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

This sequel to Saturday Night Fever is shockingly embarrassing and unnecessary, trading the original's dramatic depth for a series of uninspired dance sequences.

Read Critics Reviews

Owen Gleiberman

Boston Phoenix

Staying Alive isn't just a disappointment -- it's a disgrace.

Oct 8, 2021

Full Review

Richard Corliss

TIME Magazine

As always Travolta is urban gorgeous and very charming. The rest of the film is neither.

Jul 24, 2014

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

The bottom line is that Staying Alive is nowhere as good as its 1977 predecessor, Saturday Night Fever.

Oct 24, 2008

Full Review

James Berardinelli

ReelViews

By turning Tony’s story into an ‘80s fairy tale, the movie not only fails on its own merits but degrades its predecessor by association.

Rated: 1.5/4

May 11, 2024

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Disco inferno, indeed.

Rated: 1/4

Sep 9, 2023

Full Review

Common Sense Media Editors

Common Sense Media

Directed by Sylvester Stallone (who even has a cringeworthy cameo), you can spot the crumbs of a Rocky movie that just don't belong.

Rated: 1/5

Dec 21, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

Rob G

The original was not a good movie. It's relevant for nostalgia purposes only. This one doesn't even have that. Move on. Nothing to see here.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/20/25

Full Review

Dario D

he didn't stay alive

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/02/25

Full Review

zoè C

I think that it is defferent from saturday night fever, but the essence of it is there, and Jhon’s performance is excellent

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/14/25

Full Review

Dale W

You really have to take this movie as a standalone film, not really a sequel to Saturday Night Fever. In that, it is quite enjoyable. It has the upbeat 80s kind of feel bolstered by being directed by Sylvester Stallone hot off his Rocky III success. The Broadway show “Satan‘s Alley“ depicted in the film is much more like a Las Vegas spectacle, than anything that would play on Broadway (with maybe the exception of “Cats”). It’s a lot of fun to watch, however. The love story between John Travolta and Finola Hughes is a bit overdone, but does serve to teach Tony Manero a bit about using people, leading to his appreciating Jackie (Cynthia Rhodes) more, and realizing he has something special with her. All in all it is a fun 80’s “hero overcomes the odds” romp in the style of “Footloose” or “Dirty Dancing” with enough Stallone inspired spectacle to provide great visuals and energy.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/02/24

Full Review

Cathy S

I really liked it, Great music and dancing

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/01/24

Full Review

Rocco D

This film is grossly underrated. This is a great 80's time-capsule and a very watchable guilty pleasure. The new 4k transfer is fantastic.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/24/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Sylvester Stallone

Director

John Travolta

Tony Manero

Cynthia Rhodes

Jackie

Finola Hughes

Laura

Steve Inwood

Jesse

Julie Bovasso

Mrs. Manero

Urban Cowboy

71%

80%

Urban Cowboy

Watchlist

Reds

90%

82%

Reds

Watchlist

The Great Gatsby

41%

47%

The Great Gatsby

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Great Gatsby

The Last Tycoon

33%

40%

The Last Tycoon

Watchlist

Lifeguard

53%

72%

Lifeguard

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

New on Prime Video and Freevee in September 2022

Staying Alive Should Have Kept Saturday Night Fever‘s Dark, Sweaty, Coked-Up Soul

50 Worst Summer Movies of All Time

View more photos

Synopsis

Six years after his glittering triumph in the disco dance contest of "Saturday Night Fever," an older and wiser Tony Manero (John Travolta) works as a serious dance teacher in New York City and dreams of making it on Broadway. Manero gets his shot when his girlfriend, Jackie (Cynthia Rhodes), gets him an audition for a daring new show called "Satan's Alley." Manero lands a part as a backup dancer and falls back into old habits as he lusts after Broadway bad girl Laura (Finola Hughes).

Director: Sylvester Stallone
Producer: Robert Stigwood, Sylvester Stallone
Screenwriter: Sylvester Stallone, Norman Wexler
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Cinema Group Ventures
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 36m
Sound Mix: Surround

Most Popular at Home Now