Patch Adams

Patch Adams (1998)

  • 23% of critics liked it
    (56 reviews)

  • 77% of users liked it
    (245,902 ratings)

The fact-based story of an unconventional physician who attempted to heal patients with laughter, based on his own book and mixing equal doses of scatological humor and pathos. Robin Williams stars as Hunter Adams, a troubled young man who commits himself to a mental institution in the late 1960s.… More

Play Trailer

PG-13,
Directed By
Written By
Steve Oedekerk
Genres
Drama, Comedy
In Theaters
Dec 25, 1998 Wide
On DVD
Jun 22, 1999
Universal Studios

Critic Reviews

  • Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

    It extracts tears individually by liposuction, without anesthesia!

  • Jay Carr, Boston Globe

    Instead of drama, Patch Adams gives us mere iconography, and wastes Williams's iconoclastic dedicated doc.

  • Nell Minow, Common Sense Media

    True-story medical tale is made shallow and sentimental.

  • Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

    Indulges to the hilt every obnoxious, hyperactive, oh-what-I-wouldn't-give-for-a-tranquilizer-gun aspect of Robin Williams' performing style.

  • Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com

    Has obviously been made for an audience that has never seen a movie before.

Read all 18 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Jeff "


    Patch Adams is one of those films that deserved to be a very entertaining film, but unfortunately failed to in every respect to deliver something satisfying for the viewer. I really wanted to enjoy the film, but I simply couldn't. This film is an awful train wreck of a movie that… More

  • Michael E


    A Dr. who had changed the way that all doctors had treated their patients and what he had gone through to be accepted as a full on doctor. But how does Robin Williams do as his portrayal of this incredible man. Patch Adams is based on the life of the great Doctor Hunter Adams. The… More

  • Bethany M


    Very sad! I loved Robin Williams in this! A must see!

  • Chris W


    This isn't a total failure, but it really missed the opportunity to be great. I blame the writing, and maybe the direction. Not sure if Shadyac was a good choice here, but I can't think of who should have done it. I like the cast though. They give some good performances.… More

  • KJ P


    It doesn't even feel like that good of a movie when it starts, and I know that this film has been hated on by critics, and I have no idea why. Patch Adams earns a great performance from Robin Williams and the film itself is touching and inspiring. I believe that the critics have… More

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Also available on

UltraViolet Retailers

Other Retailers

Not Available

Subscription Services

Not Available
Not Available
Not Available

Cast

See more (18)

Trailers & Clips

More Like This