Real Genius

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1:58

Real Genius

PG

1985

1h 46m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

32 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

When science whiz Mitch Taylor (Gabe Jarret) arrives at Pacific Tech as a freshman, he's paired up with genius senior Chris Knight (Val Kilmer) to work on a laser project. Mitch initially doesn't care for Knight's slacker attitude, but is eventually won over, and their friendship allows them to make new progress on the laser project. It's only when the boys learn that the government intends to use the laser as a weapon that they start to question what they've actually been working for.

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Critics Consensus

It follows college tropes, but Real Genius has an optimistic streak that puts you on Val Kilmer's side all the way.

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Paul Attanasio

Washington Post

Jan 3, 2018

Coolidge has gotten onto something here, and the pity is that the story she's stuck with never gets her any deeper into it.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

May 30, 2007

The humor is relentlessly cruel, smug, and disconnected from any sense of how human beings might behave in similar situations.

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Trevor Johnston

Time Out

Jun 24, 2006

It does make you wonder if the drive of the US education system is ultimately to develop better weapons of mass-destruction, though Coolidge's movie is too hazily good-natured to capitalise on the tougher aspects of the material.

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Dec 2, 2022

A

The mid-’80s were big on teen-oriented sci-coms (scientific comedies), so you may have overlooked this gem with a great early performance by Val Kilmer.

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Douglas Davidson

Elements of Madness

Sep 13, 2022

Not only does the film hold up fairly well, but the deeper aspects of the narrative become more obvious some 37 years since its release.

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Allison Rose

FlickDirect

Sep 13, 2022

4/5

Let’s face it, how can you go wrong with “Smart people on ice!” ?

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Gnm 5

@Gnm597 Oct 10, 2026

A 1985 gem! I was a teen when this came out and I will never forget it! "The good ol days"

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Nolen S

@Uncle_Smith17 Jul 23, 2026

Real Genius is an absolute cult classic and one of the rare films I can watch repeatedly without ever tiring of it. Sadly, I fear many modern viewers miss the brilliance of its humor. Wrapped up in today's flashy technology and cinema, they dismiss the film's premise as far-fetched and unworthy of praise. But they are missing the point. This movie beautifully connects with audiences through exceptionally witty writing, unforgettable characters, and a sharp commentary on arrogance—specifically targeting people who view themselves as smarter, better, or more worthy than everyone else. As an engineer, I can confidently say the characters are dead-on. They perfectly mirror the hyper-intelligent, eccentric people I actually knew and went to college with.

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thiago S

@Thiagostone May 10, 2026

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

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Farah R

@Farah Apr 6, 2026

Asides from Val Kilmer’s charm and good looks, there’s absolutely no reason to watch this outrageous display of nonsense. The story and characters are too silly, with outdated 80s quirks that are no longer funny.

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Jeremy R.

@rockyrondone Jan 6, 2026

This might not hav been a “blockbuster”, but it has all the elements of an amazing 80’s movie!! Just rewatched it at the Alamo Drafthouse in Dallas… it’s a 5 star in my book!!

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Jerod S

@jeroduptown Dec 19, 2025

It's Kilmer burning up the 80s college vibes. Nothing great and minus one star for whoever designed the movie cover and did that to Val.

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Martha Coolidge

Director

Val Kilmer

Chris Knight

Gabriel Jarret

Mitch Taylor

William Atherton

Prof. Jerry Hathaway

Michelle Meyrink

Jordan

Jon Gries

Lazlo Hollyfeld

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Real Genius: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

When science whiz Mitch Taylor (Gabe Jarret) arrives at Pacific Tech as a freshman, he's paired up with genius senior Chris Knight (Val Kilmer) to work on a laser project. Mitch initially doesn't care for Knight's slacker attitude, but is eventually won over, and their friendship allows them to make new progress on the laser project. It's only when the boys learn that the government intends to use the laser as a weapon that they start to question what they've actually been working for.

Director: Martha Coolidge
Producer: Brian Grazer
Screenwriter: Neal Israel, Pat Proft, Neal Israel, Pat Proft
Production Co: Delphi III Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 7, 1985, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $130.8K
Runtime: 1h 46m
Sound Mix: Surround

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