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Wonder Boys

Play trailer 1:58 Poster for Wonder Boys R 2000 1h 52m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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81% Tomatometer 123 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Grady (Michael Douglas) is a 50-ish English professor who hasn't had a thing published in years -- not since he wrote his award winning Great American Novel 7 years ago. This weekend proves even worse than he could imagine as he finds himself reeling from one misadventure to another in the company of a new wonder boy author.
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Wonder Boys

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Critics Consensus

Michael Douglas and Tobey Maguire do wonders in this clever dark comedy.

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Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Common Sense Media 12/29/2010
4/5
This grand mess of a movie has many pleasures. Go to Full Review
Emanuel Levy Variety 04/05/2007
A-
Michael Douglas gives the best perfromance of his career (to be remembered at Oscar time) in this screwball comedy about a college professor who's pushed into maturity by forces beyond his control; a well-acted coming-of-age saga for adults. Go to Full Review
Time Out 01/26/2006
Wonder Boys digresses so entertainingly, you forget how quickly Grady got into the mess he's in, and can't imagine where we might be headed. Go to Full Review
Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault 09/02/2022
B
This outwardly gloomy movie is as gentle and pleasant a film as we’re likely to get from a major studio this year. Go to Full Review
Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review 02/17/2022
4/4
Wonder Boys reminds us that life is about putting one sentence after another, knowing when to start the next chapter, and realizing when it's time to discard your progress altogether and start something new. Go to Full Review
Tony Black Cultural Conversation 02/16/2021
3/5
Classy but listless existential privilege. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Stephen P Nov 29 I have no idea how I managed to miss this film in the past. Hugely enjoyable. Great acting and a funny, quirky story line. Michael Douglas plays his part so well and the supporting cast are superb. The dead dog in the car trunk was strangely hilarious. See more Max W Jul 23 This was a fun and endearing story. Toby Maguire was fantastic. See more David H Mar 24 Quirky and amusing with some fine leading performances. In its lighthearted acceptance of sexual relations across the generations its tone might prevent it being made today. See more Bahad j 08/06/2024 The director has once again managed to make a wonderful movie with good people. I liked it very much. See more Geke g 08/05/2024 Tobey Maguire so good in this See more Munkhchimeg T 08/05/2024 Great movie. Has many high and sensitive moments See more Read all reviews
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Wonder Boys

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Movie Info

Synopsis Grady (Michael Douglas) is a 50-ish English professor who hasn't had a thing published in years -- not since he wrote his award winning Great American Novel 7 years ago. This weekend proves even worse than he could imagine as he finds himself reeling from one misadventure to another in the company of a new wonder boy author.
Director
Curtis Hanson
Producer
Curtis Hanson, Scott Rudin
Screenwriter
Michael Chabon, Steve Kloves
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Scott Rudin Productions, Mutual Film Company, BBC, MFF, Curtis Hanson Productions, Paramount Pictures, Marubeni Corporation
Rating
R (Language|Drug Content)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 25, 2000, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Nov 10, 2000
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$19.4M
Runtime
1h 52m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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