What Dreams May Come

PG-13

Released Sep 28, 1998

1 hr. 53 min.

Fantasy

Romance

Drama

List

52%

69 Reviews

Tomatometer

84%

100,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

After Chris Nielsen (Robin Williams) dies in a car accident, he is guided through the afterlife by his spirit guide, Albert (Cuba Gooding Jr.). His new world is beautiful and can be whatever Chris imagines. Even his children are there. But, when his wife, Annie (Annabella Sciorra), commits suicide and is sent to hell, Chris ignores Albert's warnings and journeys there to save her. Upon arrival, Chris finds that rescuing Annie will be more difficult than he'd imagined.

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Critics Consensus

An insubstantial plot overshadows the beautiful, surreal scenery.

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Jason R

A film that gets you thinking about the afterlife and your own mortality

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/20/24

Full Review

Sherry J

This movie is amazing. One of Robin Williams best films IMO. I think the meaning of this movie goes over most people's heads. The unwavering loyalty and love that they share with each other is something that most will never understand. It actually angers me when I ask people what they thought of the movie and their shallow brains think it's just a sad movie about death......uhg! Anywho, I think it deserves a much higher rating but that's just me.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/07/24

Full Review

Sam W

I share a lot of sentiment with this film and its plot. Visually striking as well.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/06/24

Full Review

Dylan

For anyone wishing to feel a connection to a deeper layer to Robin Williams while also embarking on a visually striking (especially for the era of filmmaking), sometimes psychedelic hero's journey through love, death, and surviving eternity through the eyes of a lost soul. The plot relies heavily on Christian beliefs and the suspension of disbelief, but is absolutely worth the heavily emotional journey to get to what the author is embracing as a not so finite infinity.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/13/24

Full Review

Dtda T

One of the most boring movies ever.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/15/24

Full Review

G V

I think too many critics didn't understand the movie. Perhaps they were cantered on the special effects (which at the time would have been pioneering). Not one for special effects, however great stories and poignant moments have always been enjoyed. The movie isn't a traditional love story, a Hollywood romance. But it is a love story. Love you'd actually want.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/15/23

Full Review

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Vincent Ward

Director

Robin Williams

Chris Nielsen

Cuba Gooding Jr.

Albert Lewis

Annabella Sciorra

Annie Nielsen

Max von Sydow

The Tracker

Jessica Brooks Grant

Marie Nielsen

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Worthwhile for thoughtful teens.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 29, 2010

Full Review

Globe and Mail

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 12, 2002

Full Review

Susan Stark

Detroit News

In both concept and execution, they testify to painfully banal sensibilities.

Rated: 1/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

“Dreams” tries too hard to be a serious allegory of the afterlife and falls on its face in the absence of an appropriate or intriguing plot. The visuals, while stunning, take over the film too easily.

Rated: 1.5/4

Nov 26, 2022

Full Review

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

It's a sullen and woefully boring religious sermon...

May 12, 2013

Full Review

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

Aside from having one of the worst titles in recent film memory, "What Dreams May Come" fails by trying to be all things to all people.

Rated: D

May 20, 2009

Full Review

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Synopsis

After Chris Nielsen (Robin Williams) dies in a car accident, he is guided through the afterlife by his spirit guide, Albert (Cuba Gooding Jr.). His new world is beautiful and can be whatever Chris imagines. Even his children are there. But, when his wife, Annie (Annabella Sciorra), commits suicide and is sent to hell, Chris ignores Albert's warnings and journeys there to save her. Upon arrival, Chris finds that rescuing Annie will be more difficult than he'd imagined.

Director: Vincent Ward
Executive Producer: Ronald Bass, Ted Field, Erica Huggins, Scott Kroopf
Screenwriter: Richard Matheson, Ronald Bass
Distributor: Polygram
Production Co: PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 28, 1998, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 8, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $55.5M
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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