The Paper

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The Paper

R

1994

1h 50m

Drama

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

36 Reviews

67%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Henry Hackett (Michael Keaton) is an editor at the New York Sun, a tabloid paper facing financial cuts. His pregnant wife, Martha (Marisa Tomei), pleads with him to get a more respectable job so he can spend more time with his family. Hackett is considering an offer from another paper, with fewer hours and higher pay, when he gets his hottest story in years. When this scoop leads to a burst of violence and a conflict with his new boss, Alicia (Glenn Close), he faces a startling moment of truth.

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Critics Consensus

Fast and frenetic, The Paper captures the energy of the newsroom thanks to its cast and director on first-rate form.

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

May 3, 2016

The inside-baseball feel of the newsroom material (co-writer Stephen Koepp did time in the trenches) is what makes 'The Paper' sing.

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Rick Groen

Globe and Mail

Apr 12, 2002

The picture starts to fall in love with its subject -- head- over-heels in love, until the acid drains from the wit and there's nothing left but sentimental ooze.

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Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

Jun 6, 2001

It's all slick, fizzy fun. But the film's fighting spirit gets snatched.

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Jon Negroni

InBetweenDrafts

Sep 3, 2025

6/10

If you go in expecting the second coming of Michael Scott, you might end up asking for a retraction.

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Jeff Simon

Buffalo News

Feb 29, 2024

3/5

A smart and entertaining movie, not an important one.

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Eleanor O'Sullivan

Asbury Park Press (NJ)

Feb 29, 2024

3.5/4

A brilliantly brittle and funny movie about a New York tabloid.

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Jason C

@Jasontomatoes Aug 28, 2026

One of the most underrated movies I’ve ever seen. Cast was phenomenal. Writing superb. Michael Keaton at his very best.

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Meri S.

@mschroeder May 3, 2026

A bit too loud of a movie; a lot of yelling. But stellar cast.

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Lisa T

@RT11864046 Apr 19, 2026

A-list cast that makes me nostalgic for the 90s. The pacing was a bit frantic throughout and I wouldn't have minded a bit of room to catch my breath. This film is worth the watch and is a fun glimpse into the newspaper world and what it means to have journalistic integrity.

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Jerod S

@jeroduptown Mar 28, 2026

A Who's Who of 90s actors are running around in the frenzy of papers, headlines, marketing and justice.

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Matt L

@Mattliptak Mar 13, 2026

The Paper is a fast-moving newsroom drama where the entire cast shines under the direction of Ron Howard. Michael Keaton is terrific as always, driving the story through a frantic 24-hour race to get the news right before deadline. Sharp, energetic, and highly entertaining from start to finish.

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Janice S

@RT63728728 Sep 21, 2025

Absolutely loved this show! Well written and with heart! Domhnall Gleeson is the perfect lead for this role.

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Ron Howard

Director

Michael Keaton

Henry Hackett, Metro Editor New York Sun

Glenn Close

Alicia Clark, Managing Editor New York Sun

Robert Duvall

Bernie White, Editor New York Sun

Randy Quaid

Michael McDougal

Jason Robards

Graham Keighley

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Synopsis

Henry Hackett (Michael Keaton) is an editor at the New York Sun, a tabloid paper facing financial cuts. His pregnant wife, Martha (Marisa Tomei), pleads with him to get a more respectable job so he can spend more time with his family. Hackett is considering an offer from another paper, with fewer hours and higher pay, when he gets his hottest story in years. When this scoop leads to a burst of violence and a conflict with his new boss, Alicia (Glenn Close), he faces a startling moment of truth.

Director: Ron Howard
Producer: Brian Grazer, Frederick Zollo
Screenwriter: David Koepp, Stephen Koepp
Distributor: Argentina Video Home, Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 18, 1994, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 28, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $36.6M
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Stereo, DTS

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