The Luckiest Man in America

Play trailer

2:13

The Luckiest Man in America

R

Released Apr 4

1h 30m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

Biography

Game Show

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

67%

Tomatometer

78 Reviews

58%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

In 1984, a man named Michael Larson appeared on a popular game show called PRESS YOUR LUCK. Unfortunately for the producers, Michael was about to make history. In trying to beat the system, he caused one of the strangest moments on television.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

If The Luckiest Man in America doesn't fully deliver on the potential of its sensational true story, it fortunately has Paul Walter Hauser on hand to provide some welcome emotional complexity.

Read Critics Reviews

John Anderson

Wall Street Journal

Is it real? The acting is, from Shaunette Renée Wilson and Damian Young as vaguely defined CBS functionaries to Messrs. Strathairn, Anderson and Hauser, whose Michael Larson is the stuff a particular American dream is made of.

Jul 7, 2025

Full Review

Katie Walsh

Tribune News Service

So much more than just an exploration of this anomalous oddball story and character who managed to outsmart the media. The focus on the control-room panic illustrates how these corporate narratives shape the myth of the American Dream.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 10, 2025

Full Review

Adam Graham

Detroit News

It's difficult getting to know Larson or his drive, and he's portrayed as bashful and shrinking by Hauser.

Rated: C

Apr 7, 2025

Full Review

Derrick Murray

NERDBOT

Luckiest Man In America presses its luck with one too many spins, becoming the kind of film that gets in its own way and unable to settle into an identity. It leaves you with an appreciation for some of its pieces but rather forgetful of the whole picture

Rated: 3/5

Jul 15, 2025

Full Review

Alise Chaffins

MacGuffin or Meaning (Substack)

Sometimes, a reminder that the system can be taken down just by paying attention to the details is enough to keep those whammies at bay.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 15, 2025

Full Review

Calum Baker

Radio Times

The screenplay, co-written by director Samir Oliveros, can strain a bit in padding the run time and finding ways to flesh out the central character, but it's all peppily paced and the cast keeps the material rather gripping.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 2, 2025

Full Review

Read all reviews

Peggy Z

Movie was predictable, but enjoyable.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/09/25

Full Review

Shannon P

Didn't feel engaged with the protagonist kind of interesting premise and I usually like movies based on actual events, but I just didn't "connect" with this film. Not a horrible waste of time and money, but pretty "meh."

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/08/25

Full Review

metalliphil

Solid performances but the ending felt like it was just left hanging w no real wrap up or any kind of resolution

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/08/25

Full Review

Alex

A comedic thriller with a solid cast. Story keeps you hooked. Overall 8/10

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/07/25

Full Review

Sue

Very good cast, excellent background details about how game shows are produced. Main character well acted but unlikable.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/07/25

Full Review

Paul T

A suspense film where the suspense is always is played for laughs

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/07/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Samir Oliveros

Director

Paul Walter Hauser

Michael Larson

Walton Goggins

Peter Tomarken

Shamier Anderson

Chuck

David Strathairn

Bill Carruthers

Maisie Williams

Sylvia

The Luckiest Man in America: Exclusive Movie Clip - I'm Just Glad They Didn't Fire Me

0:56

View more videos

Tetris

81%

88%

Tetris

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Tetris

Sinners

97%

96%

Sinners

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Sinners

Americana

80%

%

Americana

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Americana

Argo

96%

90%

Argo

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Argo

Pig

97%

83%

Pig

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Pig

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

The Luckiest Man in America: Trailer 1

2:13

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

In 1984, a man named Michael Larson appeared on a popular game show called PRESS YOUR LUCK. Unfortunately for the producers, Michael was about to make history. In trying to beat the system, he caused one of the strangest moments on television.

Director: Samir Oliveros
Producer: Amanda Freedman, Constanza Muñoz
Screenwriter: Samir Oliveros, Maggie Briggs
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Plenty Good, Fabula, Tucci & Company, Jaguar Bite, Exemplary Films Corporation
Rating: R (Language)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller, Biography, Game Show
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 4, 2025, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 6, 2025
Box Office (Gross USA): $421.5K
Runtime: 1h 30m

Most Popular at Home Now