What Dreams May Come

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What Dreams May Come

PG-13

Released Sep 28, 1998

1h 53m

Fantasy

Romance

Drama

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Popcornmeter

52%

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69 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

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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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Worthwhile for thoughtful teens.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 29, 2010

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Globe and Mail

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 12, 2002

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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

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Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

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

May 12, 2013

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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

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Adam Q

This is another of those movies that is a must see. Not only is it visually stunning, it is well acted and a real tear jerker. As I get older I appreciate this more and I cannot recommend it enough

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/06/25

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You S

When I first watched the movie, I didn't like the ending. As an older adult, I now understand it. I would have had the same desire as Chris Nelson (Robin Williams) did, Kind of answers my question as a kid: What do you do when you get to where you want to go, in life? Since I am now 'there', I'd make the same choice.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/08/24

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Gerald H

The problem with movies like this is that somebody (author, scriptwriter, director) wants to pull a certain view of something over our heads like a hood. Now, this here is maudlin cheese wrapped in awful bonbon-colors. Perfect for people who believe in an almighty Santa Claus figure and who think that what Bob Ross did was art.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

11/02/24

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Horia D

It's one of the most beautiful movies ever, no contest. I really don't understand the critic rating. It's a must see, bringing old concepts with visual inventiveness.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/13/24

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Dionisis T

I never thought a movie starring Robin Williams could actually hit that hard on a very personal level...

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/19/24

Full Review

Lazy L

The movie vividly portrays the different stages of grief and the intense isolation the death of a loved one can cause. It shows us how trauma can literally reshape someones perception of reality. It also teaches us that even in the most extreme cases of grief and trauma there is a possibility for redemption and reconciliation, but only by facing the grief head-on, and with the help of other loved ones. Incredible movie!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/22/25

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

What Dreams May Come: Official Clip - Thank You For Every Kindness

2:04

What Dreams May Come: Official Clip - Heavenly Kiss

2:43

What Dreams May Come: Official Clip - Robin Williams Dies

2:48

What Dreams May Come: Official Clip - The Shores of Hell

3:06

What Dreams May Come: Official Clip - The Floor of Faces in Hell

3:19

What Dreams May Come: Official Clip - Robin Williams Meets Cuba Gooding Jr.

2:50

What Dreams May Come: Official Clip - Boat Ride to Hell

1:45

What Dreams May Come: Official Clip - Robin Williams Naruto-Runs

2:24

What Dreams May Come: Official Clip - Robin Williams In Painted Heaven

2:38

What Dreams May Come: Official Clip - Max Von Sydow is the Ferryman

2:53

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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
Producer: Stephen Deutsch, Barnet Bain
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
Runtime: 1h 53m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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