Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

The Truman Show

Play trailer 2:32 Poster for The Truman Show PG 1998 1h 42m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
94% Tomatometer 160 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
He doesn't know it, but everything in Truman Burbank's (Jim Carrey) life is part of a massive TV set. Executive producer Christof (Ed Harris) orchestrates "The Truman Show," a live broadcast of Truman's every move captured by hidden cameras. Cristof tries to control Truman's mind, even removing his true love, Sylvia (Natascha McElhone), from the show and replacing her with Meryl (Laura Linney). As Truman gradually discovers the truth, however, he must decide whether to act on it.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

The Truman Show

The Truman Show

What to Know

Critics Consensus

A funny, tender, and thought-provoking film, The Truman Show is all the more noteworthy for its remarkably prescient vision of runaway celebrity culture and a nation with an insatiable thirst for the private details of ordinary lives.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More (160)
Elvis Mitchell Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com There are no surprises in The Truman Show, except that Weir and Carrey manage to keep the picture on course. Rated: 3/5 Feb 15, 2023 Full Review Terry Lawson Detroit Free Press This is acting that isn't, but Carrey doesn't let the two-way mirror throw him; his unreality becomes his only real truth. Rated: 3/4 Feb 14, 2023 Full Review Quentin Curtis Daily Telegraph (UK) It is really about freedom... and it is to our own enslavement that this powerful, brilliant, and profound film speaks. Feb 14, 2023 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins It’s a curious social experiment idea, even if it's steeped in a fantasy so comprehensive that it always feels unconvincing. Rated: 6/10 Sep 16, 2024 Full Review James Kendrick Q Network Film Desk a prophetic comedy of ideas that hit all too close to home in our media-savvy, television-obsessed, celebrity-enthralled times Rated: 4/4 Oct 8, 2023 Full Review Luke Buckmaster Flicks (AU, NZ, UK) Thinking about The Truman Show in 2023, it’s clear the film—marvellously written by Andrew Niccol—was ahead of its time in some respects and doomed to be quickly dated in others. Aug 30, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More (1000+)
Johannes S Ja ein sehr guter film ist richtig gut gemacht spannend ernsthafte rolle von jim carry sie anderen schauspieler auch gut. Der film macht nachdenklich ubd ist immer noch akutell . Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/16/25 Full Review Forrest S A flawless movie about finding your truth and happiness in life. The acting and musical score exceptional. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/14/25 Full Review Flynn S I’m 14 and this movie blew me away. All of this movie is beautiful and I didn’t think it would make me emotional.Jim Carrey gives maybe his best performance ever.The story is incredible and the music is brilliant. The film just gets better and better as it goes on. In my opinion, one of the best films of all time.Oh, and I forgot one thing. In case I don’t see ya, good afternoon good evening and good night. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/12/25 Full Review Tom R Interesting film, surprisingly emotional. It's aged well. You will want to see this one. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/12/25 Full Review A. ERUNDIL M Una puñetera maravilla, dudo de completarle la quinta estrella. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/08/25 Full Review Johann D. M This classic psychological comedy-drama depicts the story of Truman Burbank, a man who is unaware that he is living his entire life on a colossal soundstage, and that it is being filmed and broadcast as a reality television show that has a huge international following. All of his friends, family, and members of his community are paid actors whose job is to sustain the illusion and keep Truman unaware of the false world he inhabits. Widely regarded as one of the most original and visionary films of its time, The Truman Show was remarkably ahead of its era in predicting the rise of reality television, surveillance culture, and society’s obsession with voyeurism. Its themes of authenticity, free will, and the manipulation of media still resonate deeply today, making it feel as relevant as ever. Jim Carrey delivers one of the most nuanced performances of his career—balancing humor, vulnerability, and existential confusion with brilliance. His Golden Globe win was richly deserved, even if the lack of an Oscar nomination remains one of the Academy’s most baffling oversights. The clever screenplay rewards repeat viewings with new layers of meaning and Philip Glass’s hauntingly beautiful score underscores the story’s emotional and surreal dimensions. A timeless masterpiece that’s both mind-bending and moving, The Truman Show remains a profound reflection on human freedom, truth, and the boundaries between entertainment and exploitation. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/08/25 Full Review Read all reviews
The Truman Show

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW
Holy Man 12% 25% Holy Man Watchlist My Giant 22% 25% My Giant Watchlist Simon Birch 45% 77% Simon Birch Watchlist Wild America 30% 59% Wild America Watchlist Twelfth Night 75% 80% Twelfth Night Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis He doesn't know it, but everything in Truman Burbank's (Jim Carrey) life is part of a massive TV set. Executive producer Christof (Ed Harris) orchestrates "The Truman Show," a live broadcast of Truman's every move captured by hidden cameras. Cristof tries to control Truman's mind, even removing his true love, Sylvia (Natascha McElhone), from the show and replacing her with Meryl (Laura Linney). As Truman gradually discovers the truth, however, he must decide whether to act on it.
Director
Peter Weir
Producer
Scott Rudin, Andrew Niccol, Edward S. Feldman, Adam Schroeder
Screenwriter
Andrew Niccol
Production Co
Paramount Pictures, Scott Rudin Productions
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 5, 1998, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
May 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$125.6M
Runtime
1h 42m
Sound Mix
Surround
Most Popular at Home Now