The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

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The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

PG

Released Dec 25, 2013

1h 54m

Comedy

Adventure

Fantasy

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Popcornmeter

52%

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196 Reviews

71%

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50,000+ Ratings

Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller), an employee at Life magazine, spends day after monotonous day developing photos for the publication. To escape the tedium, Walter inhabits a world of exciting daydreams in which he is the undeniable hero. Walter fancies a fellow employee named Cheryl (Kristen Wiig) and would love to date her, but he feels unworthy. However, he gets a chance to have a real adventure when Life's new owners send him on a mission to obtain the perfect photo for the final print issue.

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Critics Consensus

It doesn't lack for ambition, but The Secret Life of Walter Mitty fails to back up its grand designs with enough substance to anchor the spectacle.

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

With such high aims, it's too bad that 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty' falls somewhat short of greatness. But it's not often that you come across a "big" movie as earnest and patently un-cynical as this one.

Jun 19, 2016

Full Review

Dana Stevens

Slate

Stiller's attempt to braid together introspection and humor kept me engaged and curious, even when I wasn't quite sure what he was setting out to do.

Jan 1, 2014

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Donald Clarke

Irish Times

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty probably succeeds on its own terms. Given the elusive nature of those terms, it is, however, hard to tell for certain.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 1, 2014

Full Review

Emiliano Basile

EscribiendoCine

While not genial, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty recaptures the charm of hopeful stories by giving a comedy twist... [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 7/10

Dec 11, 2023

Full Review

Wael Khairy

The Cairo Scene

I admire the film’s originality, and the thought-provoking twist ending, but daydream of a deeper director’s cut.

Sep 23, 2022

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Less about Walter Mitty’s secret life than his actual, perfectly romantic, impossibly realized adventures, the film loses itself in a fantasy world all its own and never fully embraces the everyday balance of reality and imagination.

Rated: 1.5/4

Aug 19, 2022

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Scott M

Brilliant soundtrack and great photography compliment this wonderful story about Life.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/20/24

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Paula W

I really enjoy this film, and yes, I can also agree with some of the critic that it got. It is a very nice family film that can inspire anyone to lead a more adventurous life. The soundtrack is great and the pictures are beautiful. (Makes you almost want to beocme a photographer for National Geographics ;))

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/22/24

Full Review

The Lofi L

Unlike most films which are either too mature for younger families or too childish for anyone above 5, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is the finest example of what a family film should be. No need to resort to swearing or outplayed gags to be funny, this movie finds itself in a rare category of movie that is an instant classic for the youngest and oldest audiences. I just wish there were more movies out there that especially steered away from swearing and violence, to appeal to the strict regulations by my family of what could be watched.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/13/24

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Jacob M

A spectacular feel good film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/10/24

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Boni C

A movie that only gets better with age and I just got reintroduced to it. It's what I needed in this moment of uncertainty and feeling stuck. Inspiration to get unstuck and take small actions towards your dreams.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/09/24

Full Review

Audience Member

A largely under-appreciated film when it came out, I really reccomend giving it a try. With amazing film locations and accompanying shots with a wonderfully tied in music score, this film will leave you asking yourself life questions and coming back for a welcome repeat watch later on. This all being said it is not the perfect film, some of the CGI looks rough and some of the jokes don't quite land but overall its a film about self discovery and being more confident with yourself. After the traumas of the “Plague times” and lockdowns. A film about travelling, appreciating the small things and not being afraid to be yourself and a little out there is a perfectly fine message to put across. Unfortunately it came out at the start of the MCU (super hero) filled cinema crazy which might have overshadowed this film along with the poor trailers spoiling jokes, scenes and other large parts ( I don't understand why they do this, ruining the best parts.) If you have not watched it give it a shot you might find yourself enjoying in my opinion one of the best Ben Stiller films, as well as a welcome change of pace from the hero film spam and other mass CGI films. This film uses a good mix of mostly real sets and as I mentioned before a really nicely framed film with great music adding to the scenes.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/08/24

Full Review

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Ben Stiller

Director

Ben Stiller

Walter Mitty

Kristen Wiig

Cheryl

Shirley MacLaine

Edna

Adam Scott

Ted Hendricks

Kathryn Hahn

Odessa

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Synopsis

Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller), an employee at Life magazine, spends day after monotonous day developing photos for the publication. To escape the tedium, Walter inhabits a world of exciting daydreams in which he is the undeniable hero. Walter fancies a fellow employee named Cheryl (Kristen Wiig) and would love to date her, but he feels unworthy. However, he gets a chance to have a real adventure when Life's new owners send him on a mission to obtain the perfect photo for the final print issue.

Director: Ben Stiller
Producer: Samuel Goldwyn Jr., John Goldwyn, Stuart Cornfeld, Ben Stiller
Screenwriter: Steve Conrad
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Samuel Goldwyn Films, Red Hour Productions
Rating: PG (Language|Action/Violence|Some Crude Comments)
Genre: Comedy, Adventure, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 2013, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 30, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $58.2M
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: Datasat, Dolby

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