Awakenings

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2:44

Awakenings

PG-13

1990

2h 1m

Drama

Biography

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

37 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

The story of a doctor's extraordinary work in the Sixties with a group of catatonic patients he finds languishing in a Bronx hospital. Speculating that their rigidity may be akin to an extreme form of Parkinsonism, he seeks permission from his skeptical superiors to treat them with L-dopa, a drug that was used to treat Parkinson's disease at the time.

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Critics Consensus

Elevated by some of Robin Williams' finest non-comedic work and a strong performance from Robert De Niro, Awakenings skirts the edges of melodrama, then soars above it.

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Stanley Kauffmann

The New Republic

Aug 15, 2014

Williams gives his best "straight" performance, shorn of all his marvelous manic vaudeville. The man he plays here is not a performer, which he was even in Dead Poets Society, but simply a man.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 22, 2010

4/5

Nonfunny Robin Williams role in moving story.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Jan 26, 2026

2.5/4

De Niro’s performance is a matter of taste: Some will marvel at his total immersion into a role that requires a lot of twitching while others will see early signs of the ham he would eventually become.

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Jeff Beck

The Blu Spot

Dec 16, 2025

4/5

Awakenings may not hold much in the way of surprises over the course of its narrative arc, but it remains a richly emotional true-life tale that pulls you in with its captivating story & the marvelous performances from co-leads Williams & De Niro.

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Noah Berlatsky

Splice Today

Apr 22, 2024

If Awakenings is a cure for Hollywood’s sexism, then it is, unfortunately, a cure which was painfully limited.

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Terry Francis

Southern Voice (Atlanta)

May 9, 2023

2/4

Though the film is directed with elegant reticence by the gifted Penny Marshall, it's diminished somewhat by Zaillian's tissue-thin adaptation which relies heavily on formulaic comedy, on cliches of character and plot.

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Robert P

@Superbad Oct 7, 2026

Awakenings is a *4.5* star Movie!

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David D

@David2026 Jul 19, 2026

A brilliantly acted film by all involved, superbly shot and. both heartwarming and wrenching to watch. Ultimately it's a story about the human condition, the fight against the unknown and adversity, the joy of discovery and the anguish of inevitability.

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Einat H

@EinatStrassberg96 Jun 26, 2026

Loved it, will watch again.

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Christina M.

@RT82416517 May 25, 2026

I think in this era of movie making there was gentle story telling for hard truths. In the awakenings they added the balance of RW quirkiness with the sadness of those who were lost to an unknown, untreatable diagnosis. I enjoyed the movie and feel it met all expectations for the movie goer.

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Iverrie B

@RT95293858 Mar 31, 2026

This movie changed my life, I had never cried at a movie before, but this one made me SOB. Robin Williams doesnt have a funny role, but I think it adds more. I feel like it adds to the deep connection viewers have with these raw characters.

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Jeff H

@Jethro71 Mar 15, 2026

Robert William brings you in and helps make you care for his patients and the small window of opertunity they had when they "Awoke" and were living life again. Truly enjoyable and yet sad movie.

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Penny Marshall

Director

Robert De Niro

Leonard Lowe

Robin Williams

Dr. Malcolm Sayer

Julie Kavner

Eleanor Costello

Ruth Nelson

Mrs. Lowe

John Heard

Dr. Kaufman

Awakenings: Official Clip - The Drug Isn't Working

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Awakenings: Official Clip - The Will of the Ball

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Awakenings: Official Clip - Remind Them How Good It Is

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Awakenings: Official Clip - The Simplest Things

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Awakenings: Official Clip - You Woke A Person

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Awakenings: Official Clip - The Strangest Dream

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Awakenings: Official Clip - You're Awake

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Awakenings: Official Clip - Don't Give Up on Me

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Synopsis

The story of a doctor's extraordinary work in the Sixties with a group of catatonic patients he finds languishing in a Bronx hospital. Speculating that their rigidity may be akin to an extreme form of Parkinsonism, he seeks permission from his skeptical superiors to treat them with L-dopa, a drug that was used to treat Parkinson's disease at the time.

Director: Penny Marshall
Producer: Walter F. Parkes, Lawrence Lasker
Screenwriter: Steven Zaillian
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 20, 1990, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 15, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $49.4M
Runtime: 2h 1m
Sound Mix: Surround

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