Romancing the Stone (1984)

86% of critics liked it
(43 reviews)
62% of users liked it
(74,688 ratings)

Kathleen Turner plays a writer of adventure stories, Joan Wilder, who has been having trouble selling her works of late because they aren't remotely believable. The basic problem is that the mousy Joan has never had any real adventure in her life. All this changes when she receives a frantic phone… More Kathleen Turner plays a writer of adventure stories, Joan Wilder, who has been having trouble selling her works of late because they aren't remotely believable. The basic problem is that the mousy Joan has never had any real adventure in her life. All this changes when she receives a frantic phone call from her sister, whose is being held prisoner by evil art dealers in Colombia. It seems that sis has mailed Joan a map leading to a valuable treasure. Nasty but cowardly Ralph (Danny DeVito), cousin of the principal villain (Zack Norman), has been assigned to claim the map from Joan. But upon arriving in Colombia, Joan and Ralph learn that others of a more homicidal bent are also after the map. Joan is rescued by soldier of fortune Jack Colton (Michael Douglas), who isn't quite clear about his stake in the proceedings. Jack and Joan undergo several perilous adventures in the wilds of Colombia. The treasure turns out to be a valuable jewel, which changes hands (one of them severed!) many times before it is swallowed by an alligator. Joan manages to break free from her pursuers, but Jack is presumed dead. Jack returns at the end of the film in Manhattan to surprise Joan. The sequel to Romancing the Stone was 1985's The Jewel of the Nile. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By: Robert Zemeckis
Genres: Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Mar 30, 1984 Wide
On DVD: Aug 14, 2001
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Turner is like a lot of unwitting screen heroines ahead of her, guaranteed that her drab existence is about to be transformed -- probably by a man, preferably handsome and adventurous.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Director Robert Zemeckis displays such dazzling cinematic know-how that it's genuinely depressing when this 1984 film falls off into the usual self-ridicule.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
After all the Raiders rip-offs, it's fun to find an adventure film that deserves the comparison, that has the same spirit and sense of humor.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
An elaborately produced, mostly charmless adventure-comedy that intends to make fun of a kind of romantic fiction that's one step removed from what the movie is all about.
Randy White, Common Sense Media
Action, romance, sharp dialog; best for teens.
Jordan Hiller, Bangitout.com
Between Michael Douglas' mullet, a synthesizer heavy score, and Kathleen Turner shining in her blink and you missed it prime, Zemeckis' movie is truly time capsule worthy.
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
A grand example of the rarest combination of adventure, humor, and sexual chemistry which all crackle along with abandon.
, Empire Magazine
Douglas and Turner make a great double act in this exuberantly directed adventure movie with a great start turn from the always enjoyable De Vito. Good stuff.
, Film4
All very tongue-in-cheek (typified by the opening sequence, lifted straight from one of Joan's pulp novels) and great fun.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A rousing, old-fashioned romantic adventure.
Kamal 'The Diva' Larsuel, 3BlackChicks Review
The chemistry between the principles is something that no one can deny.
Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com
A high-spirited cocktail of action, comedy and romance that's one of those rare movies with something for almost everyone.
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
often copied, but never quite duplicated
Paul Schrodt, Slant Magazine
His name is Jack T. Colton. What's the "T" stand for? "Trustworthy."
Paul Schrodt, Slant Magazine
The message is clear: Love and protection comes with a white face and a big, black gun. His name is Michael Douglas.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Its combination of romance and adventure (and a bit of comedy) was spot-on, and few films that have arrived since have captured Stone's enthusiasm and good-naturedness
Scott Weinberg, DVDTalk.com
A surprisingly witty script, some really excellent chemistry between Douglas & Turner, and a large (and very welcome) portion of comic relief by Danny DeVito. Fun stuff.
, Time Out
The script is sharp and funny, the direction sure-footed on both the comedy and action fronts, and the whole thing adds up to rather more concerted fun than Indiana Jones' flab-ridden escapade in the Temple of Doom.
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Rousing entertainment

Read all 19 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jens S

After Indiana Jones' triumph in the early 1980s, Hollywood realized there is money to make in adventure films about treasure hunts. This film is by no means a rip off of the archaeologist's adventures, but some elements are there. We have a wise-cracking daredevil… More
After Indiana Jones' triumph in the early 1980s, Hollywood realized there is money to make in adventure films about treasure hunts. This film is by no means a rip off of the archaeologist's adventures, but some elements are there. We have a wise-cracking daredevil adventurer, bantering with the female lead, a rope bridge, animals, jungle and of course a treasure map. Add a typical 1980s soundtrack and you have the generic action comedy from that era, but one that still entertains really well. The film doesn't take itself too seriously and counters a few surprisingly violent scenes with lots of humor and a couple of decent action sequences. It may feel like a guilty pleasure today, but for its time this was quite a spectacular film.
Melvin W

Ralph: Oh, oh I'm the creep, huh? Well at least I'm honest: I'm stealing this stone. I'm not trying to romance it out from under her. Romancing is a decent movie that is really saved by Michael Douglas and Danny Devito. It's not Robert Zemeckis' best… More
Ralph: Oh, oh I'm the creep, huh? Well at least I'm honest: I'm stealing this stone. I'm not trying to romance it out from under her. Romancing is a decent movie that is really saved by Michael Douglas and Danny Devito. It's not Robert Zemeckis' best movie, but that's not to say it's bad. It's fun and for the most part entertaining, but since it's a comedy it could have been a lot funnier. Kathleen Turner was pretty boring in the lead role which really hurt the movie. Pretty predictable, but if you are a fan of Douglas it's worth a look.
Lenny M

Romancing the bone. Always watch it at the beach, original review must have been deleted.
Cassie H

Kathleen Turner plays her role well as the damsel in distress & Michael Douglas is great as the guy who stays by her side. This is definitely one of my absolute favorite movies from the 80s :) I love it :) All time fave! :)
AJ V

A fun romantic adventure movie, I really liked it, Douglas and Turner are great together. An 80s classic!
erika b

a action pack film
Tim S

Very funny and romantic.
Conner R

A complete waste of talent. There is no reason that this should be as bad as it is. With Robert Zemeckis and Michael Douglas, I would expect more than a lame rip off of Indiana Jones thrown in with romantic comedy. It is such a cheesy movie with a completely predictable plot and… More
A complete waste of talent. There is no reason that this should be as bad as it is. With Robert Zemeckis and Michael Douglas, I would expect more than a lame rip off of Indiana Jones thrown in with romantic comedy. It is such a cheesy movie with a completely predictable plot and almost no originality.
Mason W

Romancing the Stone from 1984 is a very good comedy starring Kathleen Turner, Michael Douglas, and Danny Devito...these three are soo funny teamed together. A romance novelist (Turner) whom is use to the live of NYC and a hopeless romantic is thrown on a crazy trip to South… More
Romancing the Stone from 1984 is a very good comedy starring Kathleen Turner, Michael Douglas, and Danny Devito...these three are soo funny teamed together. A romance novelist (Turner) whom is use to the live of NYC and a hopeless romantic is thrown on a crazy trip to South America to rescue her sister. On the way she gets assistance by a handsome and big opportunist (Douglas). Togeher they set trail on a very long trip with many twists and turns along the way....such a good movie!
Ross C

A very 80s jungle adventure movie, that's a Christmas classic. Our lonely heroine heads to Columbia to save her kidnapped sister and meets the man of her dreams. Obviously cashed in on the popularity of Indiana Jones. The ending is truly awful.
Red L

I've seen this movie a few times. It is fine - nothing special. Kathleen survives well on some heel-hacked-off Italian shoes
Stephen M

There's nothing like bagging an Oscar for killing your talent and Robert Zemeckis, like Jonathan Demme before him, has never quite recovered from that success. For a time in the '80s he was Spielberg's only serious rival in the family-adventure-movie marketplace, and… More
There's nothing like bagging an Oscar for killing your talent and Robert Zemeckis, like Jonathan Demme before him, has never quite recovered from that success. For a time in the '80s he was Spielberg's only serious rival in the family-adventure-movie marketplace, and "Romancing the Stone", Zemeckis' answer to "Raiders of the Lost Ark", is every bit as good as Spielberg's template. I would put this as Zemeckis' second-best film, just behind the first "Back To the Future" movie. Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas are immensely likeable and give their all as the leads; she: a timid writer of trashy romances, unwittingly thrust into an adventure as improbably dangerous as one of her own; he: the selfish antithesis of her romantic hero, reluctantly dragged along for the ride. Only Alan Silvestri's score dates this otherwise timeless entertainment. A delight from start to finish.
moon r

a great one! this guy zemeckis obviously loves the old movies and is not afraid to go for the gut feel of the classics! this is the guy spielberg wants to be...when he grows up!!!!
Mike S

Like a more comedic, slower-paced and less exciting version of Indiana Jones. What still makes it worth watching though is neither the story or the action (which by the way felt a lot like bits and pieces from the A-Team), but the great chemistry between the lead actors.
Dean !

A good old school action adventure film with a bit of something for everyone.
xGary X

Indiana Jones clone starring Michael Douglas (who still looked old even when he was young) that's an efficient enough swashbuckler, and Danny DeVito supplies some reasonably amusing comic relief. It's no Raiders however...
Jason S

A fun comedy adventure that spawned a second movie that was just as good.
danny d

fantastic movie
Steve B

It suffers from the direction of Zemeckis, but it's an otherwise enjoyable attempt to cash in on the success of Indiana Jones. I wanted to see sequels -- until they actually made one.
Dean M

Splendid tongue-in-check old-fashioned adventure, with lots of gags, plenty of top-notch action and superb hate-each-other chemistry between the two stars.