Almost Famous

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2:03

Almost Famous

R

2000

2h 2m

Comedy

Drama

Music

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

229 Reviews

92%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Set in 1973, it chronicles the funny and often poignant coming of age of 15-year-old William, an unabashed music fan who is inspired by the seminal bands of the time. When his love of music lands him an assignment from Rolling Stone Magazine to interview the up-and-coming band Stillwater -- fronted by lead guitar Russell Hammond and lead singer Jeff Bebe, William embarks on an eye-opening journey with the band's tour, despite the objections of his protective mother.

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Critics Consensus

Almost Famous, with its great ensemble performances and story, is a well-crafted, warm-hearted movie that successfully draws you into its era.

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Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

03/26/2024

5/5

If you haven't already sold your soul to rock & roll, Almost Famous should seal the deal. It’s pure pleasure. Just don’t expect the dark side. Not since A Hard Day’s Night has a movie caught the thrumming exuberance of going where the music takes you.

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Manohla Dargis

L.A. Weekly

03/26/2024

The film shimmers with the irresistible pleasures that define Hollywood at its best -- it's polished like glass, funny, knowing and bright, and filled with characters whose lives are invariably sexier and more purposeful than our own.

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Kirk Honeycutt

The Hollywood Reporter

03/26/2024

It's a coming-of-age tale compressed into a few mad weeks. And Crowe, the ex-journalist, captures the essence of good journalism -- its watchfulness, persistence and that instinct for a good human story.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Feb 24

3.5/4

Perhaps the most flat-out entertaining movie of its year.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Sep 25

6/10

It’s more of a sweet, satirical take on an extraordinary childhood, concerned with careful character development far more than unforgettable misadventures on the road.

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Julian Singleton

Cinapse

07/12/2025

Almost Famous is a film that lives up to its credo of being honest and unmerciful about the people, places, and period it depicts, with love and melancholy mixed in bittersweet balance.

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Zoey

May 27

One day, you’ll be cool if you watch this movie.

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kelly p

May 22

A classic. One of my all-time favorites. Ages well and never disappoints.

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Whitney B

@wbrodt89 4d

What a gift that Cameron Crowe gave us a glimpse into the greatest era of Rock music. This is a story of beautifully flawed characters, navigating fame, friendship, love, and life on the road. Each character is complex, and in just a short time we grow to care deeply for each one. On one hand we have a coming of age story of a young man fulfilling a dream, and navigating new feelings for a mysterious young woman named Penny Lane. We also get a story of forbidden love, and betrayal, and woven throughout we get a story of friendship riddled with jealousy and resentment. And tying it all together is an amazing soundtrack that really pulls you into the story.

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Pig P

@pigthatflys Jul 7

i really love this film, the way it shows the young ambition of some is awesome. it really hits a soft spot for me. everyone should watch this movie once.

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Alex B.

@AlexBioni Jun 27

Dont Take Drugs! Almost Famous is pure magic and easily in my top 10 films of all time. It is funny, emotional, and filled with incredible performances. Patrick Fugit is the absolute perfect protagonist, bringing the exact right amount of innocence to William, while Billy Crudup is mesmerizing as Russell Hammond. The soundtrack absolutely rocks, and every song feels perfectly placed. This is one of those movies that just makes me happy. It can make me laugh, make me cry, and leave me smiling by the time the credits roll. Cameron Crowe's direction is fantastic, and the opening credits are refreshingly unique and original. They set the tone perfectly. The pacing is excellent, and the production beautifully captures the authenticity of the era. I honestly think it's a perfect film. If you love music, great characters, or great movies in general, this is an easy recommendation. Go watch it. Go now.

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Tania G.

@Tag2out Jun 23

Excellent. And it holds up well.

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Cameron Crowe

Director

Billy Crudup

Russell Hammond

Frances McDormand

Elaine Miller

Kate Hudson

Penny Lane

Jason Lee

Jeff Bebe

Patrick Fugit

William Miller

Almost Famous: Official Clip - I'm Gay!

2:13

Almost Famous: Official Clip - Lester Bangs

2:11

Almost Famous: Official Clip - What Kind of Beer?

2:13

Almost Famous: Official Clip - Do You Wanna Buy a Gate?

2:13

Almost Famous: Official Clip - The T-Shirt is Everything

2:13

Almost Famous: Official Clip - Penny Lane & the Band-Aides

2:13

Almost Famous: Official Clip - It's All Happening

1:17

Almost Famous: Official Clip - I Am a Golden God!

1:33

Almost Famous: Official Clip - Drugs & Promiscuous Sex

2:02

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Almost Famous: Trailer 1

2:03

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Synopsis

Set in 1973, it chronicles the funny and often poignant coming of age of 15-year-old William, an unabashed music fan who is inspired by the seminal bands of the time. When his love of music lands him an assignment from Rolling Stone Magazine to interview the up-and-coming band Stillwater -- fronted by lead guitar Russell Hammond and lead singer Jeff Bebe, William embarks on an eye-opening journey with the band's tour, despite the objections of his protective mother.

Director: Cameron Crowe
Producer: Ian Bryce, Cameron Crowe
Screenwriter: Cameron Crowe
Distributor: DreamWorks SKG
Production Co: Vinyl Films, DreamWorks Pictures, Columbia Pictures
Rating: R (Drug Content|Brief Nudity|Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 15, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $32.5M
Runtime: 2h 2m
Sound Mix: DTS, Dolby Digital, SDDS, Dolby SR, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)