The Kings of Summer

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The Kings of Summer

R

Released May 31, 2013

1h 33m

Comedy

Drama

Adventure

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Popcornmeter

77%

Tomatometer

120 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Three teenagers (Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso, Moises Arias) carry out a plan to leave their dysfunctional parents, build a house in the woods and live off the land.

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Critics Consensus

Thanks to charming performances and endearingly off-kilter spirit, The Kings of Summer proves to be a slight, sweet entry in the crowded coming-of-age genre.

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

The Kings of Summer can't quite decide between dysfunctional family drama, the aesthetics of floaty Americana, Goonies-brand adventurism and outbursts of rip-roaring comedy.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 23, 2013

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Nigel Andrews

Financial Times

The reasons for raves at the Sundance Film Festival? The film's charm, freshness, wit and skewiness of vision.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 22, 2013

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Adam Woodward

Little White Lies

Like a summer fling, forgotten as soon as you re-enter the real world.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 22, 2013

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

That's when the creativity comes out and the risks get taken in a good coming-of-age movie.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 12, 2022

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

The flaws are easy to forgive because newcomer Jordan Vogt-Roberts directs like a veteran and manages to infuse the film with so much visual wonder and authentic harmony.

Rated: 3.5/4.0

Sep 13, 2020

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Brent McKnight

The Last Thing I See

Captures both the burning desire and the abject terror at the prospect of growing up.

Rated: A-

Jul 9, 2020

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Mason M

I really do have a soft spot for coming of age films like this, and The Kings of Summer was a great addition to the genre. I really enjoyed this film, it was really well made and has a really hilarious script. I was really impressed by the acting in this film. The three leads all do great (especially whoever plays Biaggio), and the supporting cast is stellar. Jordan Vogt-Roberts does a surprisingly good job directing for a newcomer too. It's beautifully shot by him and his ethereal visions of nature and this Eden the kids are escaping to in this film was phenomenal and really adds another layer to the film. The Kings of Summer was a surprisingly well made and very enjoyable coming of age watch for the summer.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/30/25

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Ava S

Biaggio's off-kilter nature saves what's otherwise a Wes Anderson-lite coming-of-age adventure, plagued by little intrigue, a juvenile climax, and stilted, "quirky" dialogue.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/07/25

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Georgan G

Definitely has its moments of emotion. Yet something is either over done or completely missing. Sweet movie, but pretty silly.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/26/24

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Paige B

Honestly one of the greatest movies ever I’ve ever seen. Simple, dramatic, & entertaining. 10/10 would watch again

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/03/24

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Raiodesol S

This movie emerges you on its little world so much that, when it ends, you get that feeling of: ok, let me get back to my own reality.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/02/23

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Jo

A really good coming of age movie about boys, I remember the feeling I had while watching it, the music, the characters and I should watch it again soon see if my opinion changes about it

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/23/23

Full Review

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Jordan Vogt-Roberts

Director

Nick Robinson

Joe Toy

Gabriel Basso

Patrick Keenan

Moises Arias

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Synopsis

Three teenagers (Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso, Moises Arias) carry out a plan to leave their dysfunctional parents, build a house in the woods and live off the land.

Director: Jordan Vogt-Roberts
Producer: Tyler Davidson, Peter Saraf, John Hodges
Screenwriter: Chris Galletta
Distributor: CBS Films
Production Co: Big Beach, Low Spark Films
Rating: R (Some Teen Drinking|Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 31, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 1, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.3M
Runtime: 1h 33m

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