Dead Poets Society

PG

Released Jun 2, 1989

2h 8m

Drama

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List

84%

Tomatometer

64 Reviews

92%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

A new English teacher, John Keating (Robin Williams), is introduced to an all-boys preparatory school that is known for its ancient traditions and high standards. He uses unorthodox methods to reach out to his students, who face enormous pressures from their parents and the school. With Keating's help, students Neil Perry (Robert Sean Leonard), Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawke) and others learn to break out of their shells, pursue their dreams and seize the day.

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Critics Consensus

Affecting performances from the young cast and a genuinely inspirational turn from Robin Williams grant Peter Weir's prep school drama top honors.

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Kurt Jacobsen

Chicago Reader

We never are privy to Keatings’s personal life, nor do we quite grasp why such a talented individual is devoted to pedagogy.

Rated: 1/4

May 11, 2022

Full Review

Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

A refreshing if obvious drama.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 23, 2017

Full Review

Hank Gallo

New York Daily News

On the surface Robin Williams appears to be giving his standard performance as Prof. Keating - witty, sincere and lovable. But there's much more here.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jun 1, 2016

Full Review

Rachel Wagner

Rachel's Reviews (YouTube)

It's extremely manipulative but it still works

Aug 28, 2024

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Lyric Waiwiri-Smith

Stuff.co.nz

An achingly beautiful story of high school boys who give up the guards of their masculinity and family expectations to believe in something beautiful and real.

Oct 28, 2022

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

An Oscar-winning drama about self-discovery, free-thinking, and the unfortunate costs that sometimes comes with them.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 20, 2022

Full Review

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minn k

Jest to film, który głęboko mnie poruszył, sprawił iż wciągnęłam się w świat poezji.Kocham go całym sercem

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/25/24

Full Review

Mateus H

Um excelente filme que começa de maneira alegre trazendo uma dolorosa tragédia em seu final, vi algumas reclamações sobre o filme ser lento, mas vejo isso com bons olhos, pois é justamente essa lentidão que torna seu final tão memorável.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/18/24

Full Review

Audience Member

This movie changed my brain chemistry. It's both heartbreaking and powerful. It's a cutting movie veiled in the guise of a sentimental one. Easily my favorite movie of all time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/13/24

Full Review

Katie T

My absolute number one movie of all time. It’s a tragic yet beautiful story that makes you laugh, cry and think. Robin Williams’ performance is, like always, outstanding and the other actors compliment him beautifully. The movie is written incredibly from start to finish and brings the incredible book to life perfectly. This is a movie you can watch over and over again without getting bored.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/08/24

Full Review

Chuck B

I'm a movie enthusiast who watches 100+ movies a year and I can say that this is the best movie I ever seen. No other movies felt more touching than Dead Poets Society. It's such an unforgettable beautiful absolute must watch movie 💯

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/22/24

Full Review

Royce A

This is the best movie I ever seen in my whole life. I'm a movie enthusiast and I had seen many movies of different languages, of different genres and for me no other movies felt more touching than Dead Poet Society. It's so unforgettable beautiful movie which is an absolute must watch 💯

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/22/24

Full Review

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Peter Weir

Director

Robin Williams

John Keating

Robert Sean Leonard

Neil Perry

Ethan Hawke

Todd Anderson

Josh Charles

Knox Overstreet

Gale Hansen

Charlie Dalton

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Dead Poets Society: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

A new English teacher, John Keating (Robin Williams), is introduced to an all-boys preparatory school that is known for its ancient traditions and high standards. He uses unorthodox methods to reach out to his students, who face enormous pressures from their parents and the school. With Keating's help, students Neil Perry (Robert Sean Leonard), Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawke) and others learn to break out of their shells, pursue their dreams and seize the day.

Director: Peter Weir
Producer: Steven Haft, Paul Junger Witt, Tony Thomas
Screenwriter: Tom Schulman
Distributor: Touchstone Pictures, Buena Vista Pictures, Touchstone Home Video
Production Co: Touchstone Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 2, 1989, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 9, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $94.5M
Runtime: 2h 8m
Sound Mix: Surround, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Dolby
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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