Vanilla Sky

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Vanilla Sky

R

Released Dec 14, 2001

2h 14m

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

41%

Tomatometer

172 Reviews

72%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Tom Cruise and Cameron Crowe reunite after "Jerry Maguire" for "Vanilla Sky," the story of a young New York City publishing magnate who finds himself on an unexpected roller-coaster ride of romance, comedy, suspicion, love, sex and dreams in a mind-bending search for his soul.

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Critics Consensus

An ambitious mix of genres, Vanilla Sky collapses into an incoherent jumble. Cruise's performance lacks depth, and it's hard to feel sympathy for his narcissistic character.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

I now find Cruise tolerable only when he's in a movie that undercuts or ridicules his narcissism--as Eyes Wide Shut did and as this movie does even more noticeably.

Feb 26, 2019

Full Review

Christy Lemire

Associated Press

Vanilla Sky is nearly identical to the 1997 Spanish film it's based on, except it's set in Manhattan instead of Madrid and has a much better soundtrack.

Oct 25, 2018

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Some surface appeal, but ultimately vacant.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 29, 2010

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Psychological shocks and an unreliable narrator keep things engaging, even with brief lulls and a purposely frustrating timeline, presenting continual unease and uncertainty.

Rated: 5/10

Sep 16, 2024

Full Review

Vadim Rizov

Filmmaker Magazine

If the star and director are (kind of) worrying about the same middle-age falloff, Crowe’s specific fears are more compelling to me and responsible for what, intellectually, is the movie’s most fascinating idea.

Nov 29, 2022

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Stephen Silver

Tilt Magazine

Doesn't make any more sense now than it did in 2001 (29th anniversary)

Rated: 2/5

Dec 31, 2021

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Square P

This was so boring and confusing until then end when they just info dump on us to explain what was going on. There were some little hints, I guessed where the ending was heading so the big reveal at the end wasn't the big twist they wanted it to seem like. But more than anything I was just bored watching this.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/23/25

Full Review

Albatross 1

The most criminally underrated film of all time. Great acting, story and soundtrack. People need to rewatch this film. It’s a misunderstood, more trippy version of Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind. Stop hating. Start watching.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/13/25

Full Review

Mirocko B

A lot of people hate on this film. That's too easy. Leave Tom alone this once. Diaz shines thru in a way that will give you nightmares. A decade from now. I thought it was lovely and fun. A thought provoking and memorable tale.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/12/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Loved hologram of Louis Armstrong and Monet Vanilla Sky painting. Penelope Cruz is a beautiful and sexy woman. For some reason she reminds me of a sock puppet. I think it's her huge smile on small face.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/01/25

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Johannes S

It follows a valuable trope in enjoying each day as you never know what happens next, yet, the story is a bit weird and David Aames is unlikeable.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/31/25

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Alex A

this is the second time i am writing a review. mainly because of the harsh 42% score. This film is about depression that people get before their frontal lobe fully develops at 25. where a heartbreak can cause unimaginable pain and mental breakdown. in a post covid time this film is therapeutic and thrilling. I just finished watching this for the first time because i ran out of movies to watch on Paramount plus.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/18/25

Full Review

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Cameron Crowe

Director

Tom Cruise

David Aames

Penélope Cruz

Sofia Serrano

Cameron Diaz

Julie Gianni

Kurt Russell

McCabe

Jason Lee

Brian Shelby

Vanilla Sky: Official Clip - Hiding

1:46

Vanilla Sky: Official Clip - Where is Sofia?

2:10

Vanilla Sky: Official Clip - Bros

1:46

Vanilla Sky: Official Clip - The Car Crash

2:13

Vanilla Sky: Official Clip - A Real Life

2:13

Vanilla Sky: Official Clip - Citizen Dildo

0:46

Vanilla Sky: Official Clip - Almost Worthy Dying For

0:43

Vanilla Sky: Official Clip - Sofia's Ability

0:41

Vanilla Sky: Official Clip - Every Passing Minute

1:26

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Synopsis

Tom Cruise and Cameron Crowe reunite after "Jerry Maguire" for "Vanilla Sky," the story of a young New York City publishing magnate who finds himself on an unexpected roller-coaster ride of romance, comedy, suspicion, love, sex and dreams in a mind-bending search for his soul.

Director: Cameron Crowe
Producer: Cameron Crowe, Tom Cruise, Paula Wagner
Screenwriter: Alejandro Amenábar, Cameron Crowe, Mateo Gil
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Cruise-Wagner Productions, Paramount Pictures, Vinyl Films, Sogecine
Rating: R (Strong Language|Sexuality)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 14, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $100.6M
Runtime: 2h 14m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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