Val Kilmer, Gabriel Jarret, William Atherton

Two brilliant teenagers head a team of young geniuses developing a laser for what they believe is a class project. When they find out that their professor intends to turn their work over to the govern...( read more  read more... )ment for use as a weapon, they decide to ruin his plans.

Flixster Users

81% liked it

29,168 ratings

Critics

74% liked it

23 critics

PG, 1 hr. 48 min.

Directed by: Martha Coolidge

Release Date: August 1, 1985

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DVD Release Date: June 11, 2002

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Stats: 1,584 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,584)


  • June 2, 2008
    so many great scenes
  • May 11, 2008
    Classic 80's movie!!
  • March 8, 2008
    If you think that by threatening me you can get me to do what you want... Well, that's where you're right. But - and I am only saying that because I care - there's a lot of decaffeinated brands on the market that are just as tasty as the real thing.
  • October 13, 2007
    When he makes his house explode with popcorn, you remember why it's so good.
  • August 13, 2007
    okay. but loved the line " I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said " I drank what ?".
  • November 11, 2009
    the all time best comedy made by America i loved it
  • September 30, 2009
    This movie has just about every cliche that makes the 80s the tackiest decade ever. Folks never understand me when I say I'm not a huge fan of the 80s. I think this film makes for a great example of everything gross about the 80s. The kid was bad in this movie. Val tried but... meh.
  • August 25, 2009
    I love Val Kilmers ADHD party guy whiz kid character. Some of the best humor in the film comes from him. The evaportaing hallway ice slide was hilarious. Jon Gries random appearances and disappearances in the closet were great too. Great 80's comedy.
  • August 21, 2009
    I freaking *love* this movie. Please watch itif you get the chance--it's fun.
  • August 3, 2009
    I thought this was a great movie when I was younger and it still holds up now. Val Kilmer is a great hero. The movie is well written and just overall fun.

Critic Reviews


January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Real Genius contains many pleasures, but one of the best is its conviction that the American campus contains life as we know it. full review

View more Real Genius reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • JonnyMac78
    December 4, 2008
    This is one of those few movies where I memorize every line to. Plus, this movie is the one thing that my brother and I have in common. I am happy that this movie finally came out on dvd though it sucks that it had no extras. (not even a trailer) Lets hope and pray for a anniversary special edition to street on dvd. Cause in the trailer there was a deleted scene where kilmer's character is floating on a lawn chair ballon thing. Hopefully, there was more than that deleted scene. I love this movie so much that I got 2 shirts that kilmer's character wears. I got the "I love toxic waste" and a light blue "surf nicaragua" shirts from founditemclothing.com. Just the best/classic/80's movie ever!
  • jeffman52001
    February 9, 2007
    "Real Genius" really is a great film that has great acting and funny moments. The characters Chris Knight and Mitch Taylor know how to get even when it comes to their adversaries like Kent and later on Dr. Hathaway. Chris is a great mentor to Mitch, who Chris helps Mitch not to be too much into his work and teaches Mitch it is ok to have fun. Jon Gries plays Lazlo Hollyfeld who lives in a steam tunnel and Michelle Meyrink as Jordan Cochran, a girl who Mitch meets and fall in love with each other.

    This movie really does show that being smart is not a bad thing at all, and that being smart, you can still have fun. A great film from 1985.

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Real Genius Trivia


  • Val Kilmer as a wacky collage genius....what movie am i ?  Answer »
  • In what 80's classic would you find the following characters: Mitch,Jordan,Lazlo,Chris Knight & Professor Hathaway?  Answer »
  • Where is this quote from: "Was it a dream where you see yourself standing in sort of sun-god robes on a pyramid with a thousand naked women screaming and throwing little pickles at you? "  Answer »
  • Who plays genius Chris Knight in the movie "Real Genius"?  Answer »

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