Wonder Boys

Released Feb 25, 2000

1h 52m

Comedy

Drama

TRAILER

for Wonder Boys: Trailer 1

List

81%

Tomatometer

127 Reviews

83%

Audience Score

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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Critics Consensus

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

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

This grand mess of a movie has many pleasures.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 29, 2010

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Emanuel Levy

Variety

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.

Rated: A-

Apr 5, 2007

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Time Out

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.

Jan 26, 2006

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

This outwardly gloomy movie is as gentle and pleasant a film as we’re likely to get from a major studio this year.

Rated: B

Sep 2, 2022

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

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.

Rated: 4/4

Feb 17, 2022

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Tony Black

Cultural Conversation

Classy but listless existential privilege.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 16, 2021

Full Review

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Bahad j

The director has once again managed to make a wonderful movie with good people. I liked it very much.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/06/24

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Geke g

Tobey Maguire so good in this

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/05/24

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Munkhchimeg T

Great movie. Has many high and sensitive moments

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/05/24

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Lady S

A beautiful representation of the book, Wonder Boys is supported by an excellent cast and performances by Douglas, McDormand, Downey Jr and Maguire. Probably the best you will get from Holmes, which isn't much - but it's ok.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/27/24

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Ryan J

This is Michael Douglas at his best. playing a role that is far different from the previous characters he has played. The movie reminds me of James Joyce's short story "The Dead" (only it was a comedy) There is a specific scene that incorporates my statement. While James Leer is standing outside of the university's chancellor's home for the English Department's yearly conference for "Writers and wannabes" professor Tripp (Michael Douglas) accosts James in the dark, apparently holding a cap gun: ________________________ Professor Tripp: Cold James? James: It's colder in there. ________________________ Ryan James Carson Tulsa Oklahoma

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/28/23

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Barry G

"Wonder Boys" certainly deserves a lot more love. Curtis Hanson directed the best 'normal' film ever. It's cute, it's interesting, and most of all it's heartwarming. Everyone should see it right away.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/14/23

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Curtis Hanson

Director

Michael Douglas

Grady Tripp

Tobey Maguire

James Leer

Frances McDormand

Sara Gaskell

Robert Downey Jr.

Terry Crabtree

Katie Holmes

Hannah Green

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Wonder Boys: Official Clip - Good Boy Poe