What Dreams May Come (1998)

55% of critics liked it
(67 reviews)
85% of users liked it
(146,364 ratings)

Based on a metaphysical 1978 novel by science fiction and horror author Richard Matheson, this romantic fantasy-drama won an Oscar for its expensive and impressive visual vistas depicting an imaginative afterlife. Robin Williams stars as Chris Nielsen, a doctor who has suffered with his artist wife… More Based on a metaphysical 1978 novel by science fiction and horror author Richard Matheson, this romantic fantasy-drama won an Oscar for its expensive and impressive visual vistas depicting an imaginative afterlife. Robin Williams stars as Chris Nielsen, a doctor who has suffered with his artist wife Annie (Annabella Sciorra) through the devastating loss of their children, Marie and Ian, who were killed in a car accident. Although Annie's all-consuming depression nearly destroyed their marriage, the couple rebuilt their relationship and are now living out a comfortable middle age. Stopping one night to help a motorist in a wreck, Chris is struck by a car and killed. At first confused about where he is, Chris meets Albert (Cuba Gooding Jr.), a spiritual guide who helps him to realize he's passed away and that he must move on to the next world. After trying with only limited success to communicate with the devastated Annie, Chris moves on and discovers an afterlife that can become whatever one envisions, where even his pet dog awaits him. What Chris envisions as paradise are the paintings of his wife, and he happily takes up residence there, awaiting the far-off day when Annie will eventually join him. He also meets his children, although they have chosen different appearances than the ones they had in life. Then tragedy strikes when Annie, inconsolable, commits suicide and goes to Hell. Although it is rarely done, Chris insists on traveling there, risking his eternal soul to save the woman he loves. Accompanied part of the way by Albert and a wizened guide called The Tracker (Max von Sydow), Chris finally reaches Annie in Hell, and must convince her of the truth in order to release her from her dark prison. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 53 min.
Directed By: Vincent Ward
Written By: Ron Bass
Genres: Drama, Romance, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Oct 2, 1998 Wide
On DVD: Feb 6, 2001
Studio: PolyGram Films

Critic Reviews

Paul Tatara, CNN.com
A visual blast.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
`What Dreams May Come' is so breathtaking, so beautiful, so bold in its imagination!
Jay Carr, Boston Globe
The afterlife movie soars to new visionary heights in 'What Dreams May Come.'
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
As rare and odd, and visually breathtaking, as modern filmmaking gets!
Susan Stark, Detroit News
In both concept and execution, they testify to painfully banal sensibilities.
Todd McCarthy, Variety
A heaping serving of metaphysical gobbledygook wrapped in a physically striking package.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Worthwhile for thoughtful teens.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
Aside from having one of the worst titles in recent film memory, "What Dreams May Come" fails by trying to be all things to all people.
Steve Biodrowski, ESplatter
The film lurches ... toward greatness, dazzling the viewer with a spectacular view of heaven that is not only beautiful but also profoundly moving.
Christopher Smith, Bangor Daily News (Maine)
Has two things going for it--its spectacular, Academy Award-nominated special effects and the fact that it ends. Everything else about this ridiculous, three-hanky film sends it sharply into nightmare.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
Visually, it's one of the great movies of its decade; dramatically, it's rather blurry and baffling.
Jeffrey Overstreet, Looking Closer
This is what happens when you try to make a philosophical movie about spirituality without making anybody uncomfortable.
Carlo Cavagna, AboutFilm.com
This ambitious afterlife romance introduces provoking themes, but Williams eventually leads the way back to familiar hackneyed ground. The grandiose art direction provides moments of wonder, but the muddled script gives them no raison d'être.
Jim Shelby, Palo Alto Weekly
It may push just the right buttons for some, but it had the perverse effect of making me want to wear black, read some Sartre and revel in a meaningless and empty universe.
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
The set design, artistic direction, special effects and cinematography of this film are all stunning.
Margaret A. McGurk, Cincinnati Enquirer
For all its fabulous imagery and occasional dab-your-eyes moments, What Dreams May Come never rises to the wonderment of its own irresistible conviction -- that love can live beyond the grave.
Kevin N. Laforest, Montreal Film Journal
This is still a very special movie experience that must be seen on a big screen, but it isn't quite the masterpiece it could have been.

Read all 17 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

John M

Hadnt watched this in a while but i pulled out the DVD and last night I was just amazed again. Soulmates is an incredible concept to me right now and this movie just rocks on so many levels to me.
Albert K

"What Dreams May Come" truly conveys a very dreamy and colorful world through its spectacular cinematography. The story gets you involved with the protagonist, but I couldn't help but find that it got confused in its vision. Too many differing views of… More
"What Dreams May Come" truly conveys a very dreamy and colorful world through its spectacular cinematography. The story gets you involved with the protagonist, but I couldn't help but find that it got confused in its vision. Too many differing views of "paradise" made "What Dreams May Come" a conflicting movie of itself. Also, 3rd act of the movie starts to fall apart with cheesy settings, redundancy, and a boring turn in terms of storytelling. Not only that, "What Dreams May Come" tries too hard to be emotional... some may say rightfully so because of the traumatic events that occurs in this movie, but the entire package tries way too hard to accentuate the drama. Still, it was entertaining; I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
Sophie B

Very visually interesting and whilst the actors did a good job I wasn't 100% sure on the story. I liked it but it's one of those films where it makes you so sad/upset that you really don't want to see it ever again. It deals with difficult issues such as death and… More
Very visually interesting and whilst the actors did a good job I wasn't 100% sure on the story. I liked it but it's one of those films where it makes you so sad/upset that you really don't want to see it ever again. It deals with difficult issues such as death and suicide but it also expects every spectator to hold the same thoughts on life, death and heaven/hell. I don't totally agree with what they showed but as a film it was good enough to watch but not something I'd recommend!
Jameson W

Overall, this is a good film. It is unique, odd film that really makes you think. Beautiful cinematography!
Greg S

A pediatrician dies and goes to paradise, but he's willing to throw away an eternity of bliss to find his wife, who's trapped in a far less pleasant afterlife. Watch for the amazing special effects which recreate some classic paintings by Hieronymus Bosch and… More
A pediatrician dies and goes to paradise, but he's willing to throw away an eternity of bliss to find his wife, who's trapped in a far less pleasant afterlife. Watch for the amazing special effects which recreate some classic paintings by Hieronymus Bosch and others---especially for the amazing scenes of Robin Williams and Cuba Gooding Jr. walking around in what literally looks like a painting (pastel oils even squish under Williams' feet)---and not for the poorly paced, sappy romantic plot.
moon r

how many metaphysical romances do you run into? richard matheson, former twilight zone writer, muses romantically about what possibly could happen if one didn't exactly get it together in this vale of tears. thankfully von sydow yet again brings a sense of reality before yer… More
how many metaphysical romances do you run into? richard matheson, former twilight zone writer, muses romantically about what possibly could happen if one didn't exactly get it together in this vale of tears. thankfully von sydow yet again brings a sense of reality before yer stomach dies of strained sentimentality. set design (mimicking the style of Vincent van Gogh) to die for.
Eliza N

When I first saw this movie I was at the age of 9 or 10 .I remember it clearly ,even though it has been a long time and I only watched it once ,because it was really touching .Things have changed in my life and so did I, that means if I ever try to watch it again this will not make me… More
When I first saw this movie I was at the age of 9 or 10 .I remember it clearly ,even though it has been a long time and I only watched it once ,because it was really touching .Things have changed in my life and so did I, that means if I ever try to watch it again this will not make me feel as it did the very first time because I see things differently now .So if you like colorful fairytales or if you believe in god or after life, watch it ,otherwise skip it.
♥Robyn

A fantasy drama starring Robin Williams as a dead man who journeys to the depths of Hell to be reunited with his wife (Annabella Sciorra). Cuba Gooding Jr assists him on the spiritual quest...... probably wont leave a dry eye in the house this one,its pretty emotional and yes it does… More
A fantasy drama starring Robin Williams as a dead man who journeys to the depths of Hell to be reunited with his wife (Annabella Sciorra). Cuba Gooding Jr assists him on the spiritual quest...... probably wont leave a dry eye in the house this one,its pretty emotional and yes it does touch the heart! the visual effects were good!
Richard C

a wierd and dark but touching movie. B
Carlos M

The visuals are absolutely stunning and beautiful, and the story is so moving that it doesn't get compromised by its rather silly conclusion.
Dan S

While I completely disagree with this movie from a religious standpoint, its astonishingly beautiful to watch, and although the story may be at times heavy-handed, the imagination on the secular view of Heaven and Hell is indeed intriguing. There are some movies in which the scenery… More
While I completely disagree with this movie from a religious standpoint, its astonishingly beautiful to watch, and although the story may be at times heavy-handed, the imagination on the secular view of Heaven and Hell is indeed intriguing. There are some movies in which the scenery wins you over and the story doesn't need to be that enticing, just because what you are watching is beautiful. This film almost accomplishes this, but a slight over length as well as an almost overbearingly depressing mood weigh it down to simply "OK" territory. I remember hating this movie when I first saw it, but now I think it's merely just pretty good. Definitely not for all tastes, though - Just don't think it's taking a pretentious view of "This is what Heaven is really like!", instead approach it as merely a fantasy on display.
Wahida K

Beautiful Movie every tiny bit of it.
Anthony L

The original story is beautiful, and it should and could have been a great film had it been given to a more competent director with a totally different cast. It's sickly sweet, like putting sugar on cream, visually stunning but far too schmaltzy for its own good. A real shame and… More
The original story is beautiful, and it should and could have been a great film had it been given to a more competent director with a totally different cast. It's sickly sweet, like putting sugar on cream, visually stunning but far too schmaltzy for its own good. A real shame and a missed opportunity. Werner Herzog has a bizarre 'blink and you'll miss it' cameo that's worth looking out for.
Film C

The story is good as its different and the visual effects are brilliant and i like the way they interpreted their own heaven and hell, but i think this is a film that has to appeal to you as it doesnt have any action or laughters and realy is a moving drama but i didnt find it very… More
The story is good as its different and the visual effects are brilliant and i like the way they interpreted their own heaven and hell, but i think this is a film that has to appeal to you as it doesnt have any action or laughters and realy is a moving drama but i didnt find it very moving and got a tad boring but this is just my opinion! its a about a man who loses his kids in a car crash and 4yrs later he dies in a collision as well, his wife has taken too much and kills hersself and williams wants to see her again so he tracks her down in hell to try and bring her out of his misery! i didnt like it but it is worth a watch espicially if you like moving dramas
Tim S

Truly beautiful film to behold. A living work of art.
Tim S

My son is black. Weird.
Mike S

Why this movie first sailed me by without notice (or the cinemas in general for that matter) is and will always be a great mystery. But I'm sure glad I found it, because this was one of the best movie experiences I've ever had. Not only was it visually breathtaking, but it… More
Why this movie first sailed me by without notice (or the cinemas in general for that matter) is and will always be a great mystery. But I'm sure glad I found it, because this was one of the best movie experiences I've ever had. Not only was it visually breathtaking, but it had heart and soul and its idea of heaven is so much like my own that it gave me goosebumps several times. No movie has ever come so close to my own spiritual beliefs, especially as it doesn't work in favor of any particular religion. There is a heaven and a hell, and the subject of reincarnation, but it leaves a lot of things open for interpretation and it illustrates what I think is a more believable version of everything. Therefore, I really loved it, despite the fact that it could have used some polishing in its script and story. Some scenes also felt overly melodramatic, but thankfully it never got to the point of cheesyness. Anyway, despite these minor flaws, this movie is one I will remember for a long time to come. And if heaven is half as amazing as it was here, we should all have something to look forward to. But of course, the road to heaven begins with what we do right here on Earth *wink*
Dean M

Beauty effects in the visions of heaven look like the arts - breathtaking! At the final scene when Robin Williams and Annabella Sciorra reunited together in the heaven and also with their children that made me cry a bit. Thumbs up!
Lafe F

A seemingly long movie with Robin Williams in a strange afterlife world. It's all dreamy, and looks like his wife's painting. There's a long cold lonely journey by boat to find Robin William's wife, which seemed to take forever. It's a cold and empty movie… More
A seemingly long movie with Robin Williams in a strange afterlife world. It's all dreamy, and looks like his wife's painting. There's a long cold lonely journey by boat to find Robin William's wife, which seemed to take forever. It's a cold and empty movie which looks great.
Wildaly M

Amazing film. I loved the idea of heaven and hell displayed in this movie and though it has its flaws, I still liked it very much.