Phenomenon

Phenomenon (1996)

  • 50% of critics liked it
    (34 reviews)

  • 62% of users liked it
    (93,291 ratings)

Director Jon Turteltaub followed up the hit While You Were Sleeping (1995) with this fantasy similar to Charly (1968) and a film from the previous year, Powder (1994). John Travolta stars as George Malley, a humble mechanic in a rural California town. On his 37th birthday, George celebrates at a pub… More

PG,
Directed By
,
Genres
Drama, Science Fiction & Fantasy
In Theaters
Jul 5, 1996 Wide
Disney

Critic Reviews

  • Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing

    For a movie that's ostensibly about intelligence, Phenomenon proves to be rather simple-minded.

  • Charles Cassady, Common Sense Media

    Gentle tearjerker about sudden mental superpowers.

  • Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan

    Flawed story, but compelling story does hook one.

  • Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum

    Pretty lame Scientology type stuff.

  • Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies

    Bittersweet.

Read all 7 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

  • Chris W


    An average American man working as a mechanic in a California town finds himself granted supernatural abilities on his 37th birthday in this whimsical dramedy starring John Travolta. There was speculation that this film had ties to Scientology, but I really wouldn't know, nor do… More

  • Red L


    There are a few movies out there where something out-of-the-ordinary causes the hero to become a genius. It always seems to be a temporary phenomenon. This movie is no exception to the rule. I did not mind it - somehow it is a satisfying movie - perhaps the wish that one can… More

  • Jim C


    Sad and depressing, but hadmany heartwarming scenes. But really? Tumor superpowers.

  • Taylor B


    They could've done a lot more with the premise, instead he just moves stuff and writes scientific crap down. Oh and does a nasty girl.

  • Rachel F


    Beautiful story.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

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Cast

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