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Stand by Me

Stand by Me

1986
Comedy, Drama
1h 29m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 67.33% from 7928 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(7927)
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Compact view
Rated 26 Feb 2007
5
91st
Some movies transcend the qualities of objective judgment, and for me, this is one of them. Some may find it sappy or maudlin, but this speaks directly to me in a way words can't describe; the closing lines of the movie ("I never again had friends like the ones I had when I was 12. Jesus, does anyone?") are heartbreaking and amazingly poignant to me.
Rated 19 Mar 2009
90
97th
The mother of all coming of age movies, the asthetics combined with the 50's music and original story make this a movie that belongs in everyone's childhood. Of course with Corey Feldman, Kiefer Sutherland, River Pheonix, John Cusack, and Wil Wheaton it's a clusterfuck of awesome 80's acting.
Rated 30 Aug 2012
89
96th
By the time we get there he won't even be dead anymore!
Rated 18 May 2015
50
93rd
I didn't expect a movie about four boys growing up in a small town in the 50s to get such a powerful nostalgic reaction out of me, a girl who spent her childhood in 90s suburbs, but something about this film transcends the specifics of the setting and manages to tap into that universal bittersweet experience of childhood's end. It's very simple, in a good way. And how often do you get to see a film with such a fantastic and not-annoying cast of child actors? (5/5)
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
97th
An era-defining masterpiece that just has that certain something. The storyline itself is nothing special, but the artistry is in the relationship the actors have with each other and the emotion they are able to put into the dialogue and scenes. I didn't grow up during this time period, but the struggles these characters face are relatable to anyone, which I think is what makes this such a nostalgic movie for most people.
Rated 23 Feb 2008
86
84th
A great film about the struggles of youth and friendship. Stand by Me has a large array of memorable scenes, it is laugh out loud hilarious, and has a very powerful aura surrounding it. Sometimes it seems a bit over the top but all in all it is a good film with great meaning. Awesome!
Rated 05 Dec 2009
96
99th
Almost perfect in every way. Universal in that it represents how every one of us remembers parts of our childhood (or how we wish it had been). The story is simple and predictable but it should strike a chord with anyone who has a nostalgic cell in their body.
Rated 19 Dec 2006
85
93rd
Childhood: The Movie
Rated 01 Mar 2007
95
97th
One of the strongest movies I've seen about friendship and its nature.Also great performances,esp. Phoenix.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
89th
The best "Coming of Age" movie ever made.
Rated 07 Jun 2008
100
99th
The standard by which I judge all other coming-of-age films.
Rated 30 Jul 2008
2
21st
One of the most overrated movies ever. It has a lot to like about it but it just fails in the execution by bad acting and terrible dialog. Cluttered with bullshit sentimentality and and a disgusting view of these Hollywoodesque 12-year-olds that should make everyone cringe. I don't get what everyone else sees in this film. =(
Rated 23 Sep 2008
85
76th
Very true and honest portrait of adolescent boys.
Rated 28 Oct 2008
92
92nd
For Generation Y American males, this was one of the movies we watched again and again as kids. The fact that it's rated R for language, intense moments and some drinking/smoking doesn't matter because it's genuine. This is how kids act, how they talk. They can be crass, but occasionally philosophical and deep. No film since has an ensemble cast of youngsters giving such stirring, heartfelt performances. It's a slice of true Americana and the ultimate coming-of-age story for adolescent boys.
Rated 08 Jun 2009
80
91st
Stephen King's dramas are far superios his thrillers in my book, this is no exception. River Phoenix shows his wonderful talent.
Rated 07 Oct 2010
80
77th
MMM childhood summers that lasted years.
Rated 17 Jul 2011
89
91st
"I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?"
Rated 22 Jul 2011
81
95th
The story of childhood adventure had been made many times before and after this, but may never have been made as well. There's no sense of reality being sheltered, even as it's filtered through a kid's view. And the childish insults and posturing only serve to hide a more vulnerable personality underneath, which couldn't be pulled off without the remarkably capable young actors. Ultimately, it reminds you of everything terrible and great about childhood even if you didn't live in the 1960s.
Rated 06 Jan 2012
3
45th
There are plenty of possible complaints here: archetypal characters, sentimentality, cheesy dialogue. But the film transcends these with sheer charm. Plus I'm a bit of a sucker for coming-of-age stories, and I think there are some really poignant thematics here involving nostalgia and mortality.
Rated 14 Apr 2012
91
98th
In my humble opinion, the definitive coming of age movie.
Rated 01 Jul 2012
95
99th
I think any boy that was around the same ages as the stars loved this movie, hell I go so far as to say the same would hold true even today.
Rated 29 Dec 2006
100
92nd
Classic "buddy" film.
Rated 05 Jan 2007
92
87th
King at his best; iconic, universal, resonant... One of our best story-tellers, in the purest sense of the title, ever... Every "tween" should see this before they become jaded teenagers...
Rated 22 Feb 2007
55
49th
Good film.
Rated 26 Feb 2007
65
65th
A sweet teenage buddy film. Kudos to King and Reiner and the fabulous cast - Sutherland, Wheaton and Phoenix in particular.
Rated 19 Mar 2007
90
93rd
A fascinating drama about youth, friendship and loyalty. One of Reiner's better films.
Rated 25 Mar 2007
93
95th
I don't know what to say about this film. It's awesome. It's incredibly quotable. It features some fine talent from the mid-80's. It really makes a man pause and reminisce about his lost youth.
Rated 13 Jun 2007
90
83rd
a great film from a great short story
Rated 18 Jul 2007
95
92nd
Just an all-around classic.
Rated 27 Jul 2007
91
89th
Gives me the warm fuzzies for an era I wasn't even around to see. Great acting and I'm a sucker for road trip type stories (even though this wasn't a road per se).
Rated 14 Aug 2007
87
94th
It's rare to find a movie about youth that's both well written and well acted. Considering their age, the four boys in this movie give very strong and believable performances.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
99
98th
A ridiculously good cast, a terrific plot, and good dialogue make for an excellent movie. Any 10 year-old boy would love to go on an adventure like these kids. Recommended to everyone who likes movies that thoroughly entertain.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
92
89th
Endlessly re-watchable comedy - incredible performances by this young cast
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
82nd
A terrific coming of age tale.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
81st
Shows the disasters that can occur when kids aren't allowed to be kids.
Rated 15 Sep 2007
50
22nd
I'm just not one of the people that love this film. I like the performances, but that's it.
Rated 06 Oct 2007
90
91st
A classic and well done telling of boys growing up. Everything from the acting to the story is top notch.
Rated 08 Feb 2008
86
87th
One of the great stomach-punch endings ever. I enjoyed the interplay between the four lead actors in this one, and I think it's safe to say that Corey Feldman was at his peak here. River Phoenix just has a ton of charisma and sadly hints at unrealized greatness. Keifer Sutherland has a great turn as an opportunistic hood and manages to be quite threatening in doing so.
Rated 11 Feb 2008
90
97th
classic.
Rated 30 Mar 2008
87
94th
Excellent!
Rated 25 Apr 2008
99
99th
Great coming of age film!
Rated 27 Apr 2008
10
97th
Great film!
Rated 24 Jun 2008
100
98th
A classic coming of age movie that gets better and better.
Rated 24 Aug 2008
100
93rd
One fantastic film
Rated 31 Aug 2008
90
95th
Great coming-of-age movie!
Rated 05 Nov 2008
75
67th
great kid movie
Rated 03 Jan 2009
87
89th
Excellent Stephen King adaptation- and also one of the most unique. One of the best coming-of-age movies you'll see.
Rated 21 Jan 2009
80
84th
Not normally a fan of Stephen King, but this is done very well
Rated 23 Jan 2009
90
87th
Love this movie so much. I love River Phoenix, some of the others are kind of wooden, but there are some really great moments all together. A surprisingly decent adaptation of a Stephen King Short story
Rated 15 Feb 2009
100
94th
Change your outlook on life kind of movie.
Rated 19 Apr 2009
76
59th
Sweet, funny, dark, innocent, and surprisingly meaningful. Chris & Gordon are a classic friendship.
Rated 28 May 2009
100
92nd
One of my all-time favorites. A heartwarming story with great characters and actors. River Phoenix really shines in this.
Rated 17 Jun 2009
8
78th
Watched it along with my bro, we laughed all the way through. I even sat through the end credits just to listen to Ben E. King's 'Stand by Me'. Arguably outdated, but compelling and rather invigorating. Doesn't lie when it says you meet your best friends at the age of 12.
Rated 18 Jun 2009
88
88th
Excellent tale of growing up and friendship. One of the best Stephen King adaptations around. River Phoenix steals the show in one of his biggest roles before his tragic death.
Rated 29 Jul 2009
80
80th
Great. A writer reminisces about a childhood adventure where he and his friends take a trip to find the body of a dead boy. This is a story about kids but not for kids, it has mature themes dealing with loss, anger, abuse, but still manages to keep it a fun ride. Recommended.
Rated 30 Jul 2009
97
86th
Second favorite movie
Rated 01 Aug 2009
91
82nd
An innocent and sweet coming of age film that's both intrepid and ebony. Youth and friendship go hand in hand here.
Rated 19 Aug 2009
90
95th
Great "coming of age" movie for the men and boys out there. Great story, great acting, and great cast interaction
Rated 03 Sep 2009
85
89th
A classic film from a time when I, myself, was just coming of age.
Rated 27 Nov 2009
85
88th
One of the great Stephen King adaptations. A sensitive stories about childhood friendships. Beautiful and heartbreaking. And for you girls, there's that guy that died in front of the Boiler Room. And for you nerds there's Wil Wheaton. You know. The Star Trek dude!
Rated 29 Dec 2009
95
82nd
Great movie that you will never forget.
Rated 06 Jan 2010
100
93rd
This is truly a perfect film. Has there ever been a better film about 12 year old boys? No. This is such a honest film featuring some great performances, especially from the great River Phoenix. The best Stephen King film. A must see.
Rated 16 Mar 2010
96
93rd
I could rave and rave about this movie and the effect it's had on my life forever. It achieves a miracle in that it's set in a very specific time frame and embraces the eccentricities of the era but the message of nostalgia and the fragility of childhood will surely resonate forever. Anyone who has ever lost a friend due to the utter injustice that is growing up will be effected, and the final scene featuring the kids is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen in a film.
Rated 26 Mar 2010
100
91st
A nostalgic session.
Rated 14 Jun 2010
91
84th
One of the best coming-of-age films of the 80s. Absolutely fantastic overall.
Rated 11 Jul 2010
92
84th
Damned good movie.
Rated 26 Aug 2010
85
93rd
one of the best king adaptations out there.
Rated 06 Sep 2010
82
80th
An exceptional coming-of-age film.
Rated 21 Sep 2010
97
99th
I was 10 years old when this movie came out, which probably adds a little to its impact on me. I remember thinking it was one of these first films I had seen that portrayed children the way they actually acted; rude, swearing and sometimes deep. Overall one of my favorite films from my youth.
Rated 07 Oct 2010
78
90th
Such a classic coming-of-age drama. Even years after I watched this film, I still remembered how deeply the characters affected me and how touching the ending was. Highly recommended.
Rated 30 Mar 2011
92
97th
A true classic! Excellent child actors including River Phonix and the one from Goonies and Lost Boys. You must see this film - no excuses.
Rated 29 Apr 2011
80
82nd
You're a heartless bastard if you don't like this film... And it reinforces that I am living in the wrong decade
Rated 04 Jul 2011
80
88th
"Why don't you go home and fuck your mother some more?" A great King adaptation with believable characters and despite the sometimes out of place one on one talks and the annoying narration, Reiner keeps focus when it comes to depicting what boys do best: Trash talking, fighting and using their imagination... Took me back for an hour or so ;-)
Rated 01 Dec 2011
100
96th
This is one of the best movies ever made. The book is also amazing.
Rated 18 Dec 2011
100
97th
One of my favourite movies of all time. A coming of age film about a young group of friends. Reminds me when I was twelve. Great film.
Rated 20 Feb 2012
80
87th
One of my faves. Remembering what it was like.
Rated 18 Nov 2012
90
97th
Superb coming-of-age tale with great child performances. A gem.
Rated 06 Jun 2014
60
16th
Acceptable melodrama.
Rated 29 Sep 2016
92
86th
The greatest coming-of-age film to emerge from a decade that produced a countless number of them.
Rated 09 May 2017
93
91st
Stand by Me is arguably the greatest coming-of-age film to emerge from a decade that produced a countless number of them.
Rated 22 Nov 2017
97
95th
I grew up listening to the soundtrack to this movie on a cassette tape over and over. The acting and the memorable scenes in this movie somehow outdo even the stellar soundtrack. My favorite movie based on a Stephen King story (The Shawshank Redemption a close second). If you don't like this movie, I have one thing to say, "Chopper, sick balls!"
Rated 22 Feb 2020
100
99th
I saw this when I was 8. It was both a poignant and romantic life defining movie. It gave me a new perspective on my own childhood. To this day I still haven't read The Body.
Rated 29 Nov 2020
85
86th
Was American boyhood in the 1950s actually like this? It doesn't matter because this entire film feels like a dream, with a filter of nostalgia applied by the narrator to a time that in reality was actually violent & harrowing. Despite their toilet humor these kids have more astuteness about their world than most adults and tell it with a brutal emotional honesty. Seeing a 12 year old boy cry because of poverty and classism and because he believes he'll never escape it is great storytelling.
Rated 31 Aug 2023
80
79th
It's a nice and cozy movie with pretty good acting from the kids. Sutherland and Phoenix were both pretty good. Good watch.
Rated 15 Sep 2023
80
89th
Like It except instead of a clown that lives in a sewer, the kids are haunted by having to live up to being not as cool as John Cusack. Don't worry Will Wheaton, no one is as cool as John Cusack. River Pheonix tried and look what happened to him.
Rated 12 Dec 2006
92
97th
Incredibly touching and both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Movies about childhood are often nostalgic crap but every so often you get something like this that really hits home at some aspect of growing pains.
Rated 30 Jan 2007
78
97th
Very good coming-of-age film which still works after all these years. Rewatching this as an adult, I admire how it wasn't preachy or syrupy, and used belieavable, sometimes vulgar, language. The cast is really good with Phoenix being the standout. I also loved that they kept this within 90mins which makes it highly rewatchable. Director Rob Reiner directed a bunch of solid films in the 80's and this was perhaps the best one he made - it's a pity that he lost his mojo afterwards.
Rated 15 Mar 2007
65
55th
I think most people's memories of this film are tempered by nostalgia, but it's still not too bad, and I think Kiefer Sutherland's intense performance is usually overlooked.
Rated 26 May 2007
75
79th
Classic. Stephen King is the shit.
Rated 22 Jun 2007
70
47th
Nice nice.
Rated 05 Jul 2007
78
40th
An affecting film, that stumbles in the last act.
Rated 07 Jul 2007
90
74th
Love it.
Rated 12 Jul 2007
91
74th
Written by Steven King. A really good movie.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
84th
"Wanna see a dead body?" A nostalgic boy's adventure story with great comedy and a dark edge. The barf-o-rama rules.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
71
69th
A powerful film and one of the many odd films you would never suspect was based on the ideas floating around in Stephen King's head.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
55
32nd
Good film. Seemed to drag for me.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
83
47th
an inspiring film...
Rated 14 Aug 2007
82
69th
A thoroughly bristling look back on friendship and an early fascination of the line between death and life.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
73rd
Pretty good.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
63rd
Good adaptation of the Stephen King short story. The kids are well cast, the film is funny and moving at the same time.

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