The Boy In The Plastic Bubble (1976)

47% want to see it
(5,971 ratings)

Welcome Back Kotter star John Travolta headlines the made-for-TV Boy in the Plastic Bubble. Douglas Day Stewart's fact-based teleplay casts Travolta as Tod Lubitsch, a teenager who was born without disease immunities. Tod is forced to live out his life in incubator conditions; whenever he vetnures… More Welcome Back Kotter star John Travolta headlines the made-for-TV Boy in the Plastic Bubble. Douglas Day Stewart's fact-based teleplay casts Travolta as Tod Lubitsch, a teenager who was born without disease immunities. Tod is forced to live out his life in incubator conditions; whenever he vetnures into the outdoors, he must be encased in a huge plastic bubble. When he falls in love with Gina Biggs (Glynnis O'Connor), Tod must decide between staying safe and following his heart, which would mean facing near-certain death. Diana Hyland won an Emmy for her portrayal of Travolta's mother. Incidentally, Hyland and Travolta became real-life lovers, a relationship that was tragically terminated when the actress died of cancer. Boy in the Plastic Bubble was first telecast November 12, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: Randal Kleiser, Ranal Klaiser
Written By: Douglas Day Stewart, Joe Morgenstern
Genres: Drama, Television, Romance

Critic Reviews

Randy White, Common Sense Media
Worthwhile tale of adolescence and difference.
Phil Hall, Film Threat
Typical disease-of-the-week TV fare, made memorable by a young John Travolta on the cusp of superstardom.

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

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

This is one of the best made for TV movies ever. It's a very sad drama with a great, unique story and I loved it. I highly recommend it.
Lafe F

Touching story, when John Travolta was still a boy. We watched this on TV and were fascinated by it. In 1976, it seemed so hi-tech.
Leigh R

Well done performances.
James A

I may have watched this a hundred times when I was younger late at night when no one was around. All I remember are some pushups and him riding off on a horse to where he would have died after the credits rolled.
Leo L

Good movie. Interesting story plot. One of my favorite movies from John Travolta.
Wu C

Heartwarming TV movie is carried by Travolta's great performance.