Charles Dutton, Charles S. Dutton, Jon Favreau

Rudy has always been told that he was too small to play college football. But he is determined to overcome the odds and fulfill his dream of playing for Notre Dame.

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88% liked it

56,658 ratings

Critics

80% liked it

35 critics

PG, 1 hr. 56 min.

Directed by: David Anspaugh

Release Date: October 13, 1993

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DVD Release Date: August 28, 2001

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Stats: 6,304 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (6,304)


  • August 11, 2008
    Based on a true story, Rudy tells the tale of one boy's dream to play for Notre Dame's prestigious football team. All his life Rudy Ruettiger (Sean Astin) has been told that he's too small to play football, not smart enough to go to college, and not good enough to achieve his dre...( read more)ams. But Rudy won't give up. Rudy's family, including his brother and father (Ned Beatty) all work at the local factory in Joliet, Illinois, where Rudy grew up. Since he was a child Rudy's been a fan of the Fighting Irish, and his only dream has been to run out of the tunnel and onto Notre Dame's football field. However, everyone thinks Rudy's dreams are silly, he doesn't have the grades to get into ND or the skills to be a football player. But Rudy won't quit, his perseverance pays off when he quits working at the local factory, heads to South Bend, Indiana, where the president of the college, Father Cavanaugh (Robert Prosky), gets him a shot at the local community college. If his grades are good enough there, Cavanaugh tells Rudy, he may have a shot at getting into Notre Dame and maybe, just maybe might find himself in tryouts for the football team. As Rudy studies hard and deflects everyone's doubts, he finds himself with an honest shot of being at Notre Dame University, and possibly playing on their football team. Rudy will soon show everyone that if you want something bad enough, dreams can come true. Sean Astin delivers a very subtle yet strong performance as Rudy. He is naive and often clueless about what is going on around him. However, you cannot help but root for someone who wants something so badly. Astin keeps Rudy on a level playing field. Jerry Goldsmith's score is emotional without pounding the audience over the head with dramatic moments.
  • June 12, 2008
    Uplifting football drama. First "Hoosiers", now this? David Anspaugh knows how to inspire his audience.
  • March 3, 2008
    "American" classic, the football version of Hoosiers, underdog victorious.
  • March 2, 2008
    Makes you want to grab a football helmet, a nice set of shoulder pads, lace up your sneaks, and slam your head into a tree.

    Not really. Good movie.
  • August 26, 2007
    Standard film, mediocre, nothing further, worth one watch or two.
  • October 29, 2009
    Cute, family film...
  • October 24, 2009
    10-23-2009 One of the better millions of football movies. watched it in psychology
  • October 22, 2009
    Inspirational movie if I ever saw one.
  • October 22, 2009
    If you don't love Rudy, then f--k you...
  • October 21, 2009
    hmmm... yep reaching your dream no matter what..

Critic Reviews


May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

It's Ruettiger's persistence that his teammates and the film celebrate. For that, Rudy earns a rousing cheer. full review

January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Astin's performance is so self-effacing, so focused and low-key, that we lose sight of the underdog formula and begin to focus on this dogged kid who won't quit. And the last big scene is an emotional... full review

View more Rudy reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

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Rudy Trivia


  • Rudy is about a football player at what university?  Answer »
  • What animal was Rudy, Patch's roomate, afraid of at the mental institution in Patch Adams?  Answer »
  • In the movie, RUDY, what does the main character receive as a birthday present (when he is still at work)?  Answer »
  • In the Movie "Rudy" where is Rudy's dream college?  Answer »

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