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The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Play trailer Poster for The Perks of Being a Wallflower PG-13 2012 1h 43m Comedy Drama Romance LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
85% Tomatometer 170 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Socially awkward Charlie is a wallflower watching from the sidelines, until a pair of charismatic seniors take him under their wing.
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The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

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Critics Consensus

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a heartfelt and sincere adaptation that's bolstered by strong lead performances.

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Critics Reviews

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Deborah Ross The Spectator Sep 1, 2018
This is boring, and it's partly that believability thing. How many alienated outsiders do you have to gather together before they become insiders? Alternatively, they are all so good-looking, smart and well-heeled, they are winners, surely. Go to Full Review
Violet Lucca Film Comment Magazine Jun 28, 2013
"Like real teenagers, Watson and Miller convincingly move from glowing objects of desire to comic relief to deeply troubled human beings." Go to Full Review
David Stratton At the Movies (Australia) Nov 29, 2012
4/5
I think for a first film this guy who wrote the book and has adapted it for the screen has done a terrific job and I really found these characters sympathetic. Go to Full Review
Don Shanahan Every Movie Has a Lesson Jul 23, 2025
5/5
In not following the status quo and for being more honest than angst-ridden, "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" is an extremely soulful and satisfying challenge for the normally fluffy or unrealistic high school setting of movies. Go to Full Review
Michael Cuby them. Oct 3, 2022
It can sometimes be hard to watch a film adaptation of one of your favorite teenage books because, too often, they fail to live up to the brilliance of the page. Luckily, this was not the case for the 2012 adaptation... Go to Full Review
Gautam Anand The Cinemaholic Mar 22, 2022
4.5/5
The films biggest achievement is how beautifully it captures the rich tapestry of teenage experiences soaked in lessons learned for a lifetime. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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David H @DavidQHarris 2 hrs ago This is as good as any coming-of-age movie I've ever seen. It's a sort of American Graffiti for the generation entering college in 1999. ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** I found the Aunt Helen story a little confusing and wondered if there might have been a way to leave that part out. But it's not my movie and, really, it's just a minor complaint in comparison to all the good parts of the film. This is such a good film! See more Valerie L @Balpoop 1 day ago As someone who has struggled with Charlie’s abuse and the aftermath of it this movie took a toll on me. I resonated with Charlie in a way I haven’t before with any other movie and I’ve seen thousands of movies although my experience wasn’t as painful as Charlie’s it definitely pulled some heartstrings. Not only that but I love old music and watching this was like heaven opening up to bless me with more especially since my favorite artist is David Bowie and my favorite band is the Beatles. Seeing people rate this lower than a 3 is extremely painful and honestly makes me think nobody has experienced what I or many others like me have. See more Dula Melanda M @RT66842684 3 days ago Honestly, what a beautiful movie. Charlie is such a relatable character, and the story makes you reflect on life, friendship, and loneliness. Emma Watson is amazing, and the atmosphere is absolutely beautiful. The ending was genuinely moving and left me thinking about life. A true gem. See more WILLIAM PAUL A @Paul9 Sep 30, 2026 Was surprised how good this film was. See more Braxten N @RT54801229 Sep 27, 2026 Such a sad heartfelt movie. Very good at 3am. Songs are great. See more Ron J @RT47696882 Sep 23, 2026 The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a tender story about friendship, belonging, trauma, and the strange beauty of finding your place in the world. Charlie enters high school as an outsider, carrying pain he cannot name, then finds Sam and Patrick, two friends who show him what it means to feel seen. Their bond gives the film its heart, with laughter, music, late-night talks, and moments that feel close to real life. It understands that growing up can hurt, but it can also bring people into your life who help you find your way back to yourself. The Perks of Being a Wallflower leaves you with the ache of knowing that some friendships become part of who you are, long after the moment has passed. See more Read all reviews
The Perks of Being a Wallflower

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The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Official Clip - We Accept the Love We Think We Deserve The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Official Clip - We Accept the Love We Think We Deserve 2:40 Now Playing The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Official Clip - Come On Eileen The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Official Clip - Come On Eileen 2:17 Now Playing The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Official Clip - Charlie's Breakdown The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Official Clip - Charlie's Breakdown 2:38 Now Playing The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Official Clip - You're a Wallflower The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Official Clip - You're a Wallflower 2:32 Now Playing The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Official Clip - I Love You, Charlie The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Official Clip - I Love You, Charlie 2:27 Now Playing The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Official Clip - The Tunnel The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Official Clip - The Tunnel 1:44 Now Playing The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Official Clip - Rocky Horror Picture Show The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Official Clip - Rocky Horror Picture Show 1:53 Now Playing The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Official Clip - Sorry Nothing The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Official Clip - Sorry Nothing 2:41 Now Playing The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Official Clip - We Are Infinite The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Official Clip - We Are Infinite 2:47 Now Playing The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Official Clip - Truth or Dare The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Official Clip - Truth or Dare 2:52 Now Playing View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis Socially awkward Charlie is a wallflower watching from the sidelines, until a pair of charismatic seniors take him under their wing.
Director
Stephen Chbosky
Producer
Lianne Halfon, Russell Smith, John Malkovich
Screenwriter
Stephen Chbosky
Distributor
Summit Entertainment
Production Co
Mr. Mudd
Rating
PG-13 (All Involving Teens|A Fight|Sexual References|Drug and Alcohol Use|Mature Thematic Material|Sexual Content)
Genre
Comedy, Drama, Romance, LGBTQ+
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 12, 2012, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 21, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$17.7M
Runtime
1h 43m
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