Boys Don't Cry

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1:32

Boys Don't Cry

R

1999

1h 59m

Biography

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

79 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Young female-to-male transgender Brandon Teena leaves his hometown under threat when his ex-girlfriend's brother discovers that he's biologically female. Resettling in the small town of Falls City, Nebraska, Brandon falls for Lana, an aspiring singer, and begins to plan for their future together. But when her ex-convict friends, John and Tom, learn Brandon's secret, things change very quickly.

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Critics Consensus

Harrowing yet stirring, Boys Don't Cry powerfully commemorates the life -- and brutally unjust death -- of transgender teen Brandon Teena.

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David Gritten

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Feb 6, 2026

Peirce has crafted a bold, engaging film from unlikely material. Boys Don't Cry may be set in a heartland peopled by loser, but it finally and unexpectedly achieves epic, then tragic dimensions.

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

Nov 29, 2024

3.5/4

It’s not a stretch to say that director Kimberly Peirce’s 1999 Academy Award-winning debut Boys Don’t Cry helped save my life.

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Janet Maslin

New York Times

Jan 1, 2000

4.5/5

Stunning.

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Savina Petkova

A Good Movie To Watch

Nov 24, 2023

86/100

The film features fantastic performances aplenty and very raw storytelling, visualized by neorealist style and low lighting.

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Jennifer & Marty

Alabama Forum

May 5, 2023

With this movie, Brandon's memory lives on forever.

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Dan DiNicola

The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY)

Dec 16, 2022

Kimberly Peirce's film is unarguably one of the finest adult dramas of the year, and arguably one of the best examples of independent filmmaking in recent memory.

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Robert P

@Superbad Oct 20, 2026

Boys Don't Cry is a 4.5 star Movie!

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VITALII H

@freakynickison Sep 26, 2026

Such a great movie. I can’t believe that I actually saw it for the first time today. It’s a tragic story and truly sad but let it be a lesson. Hillary Swank is so beautiful and breathtaking in it, she absolutely nailed the role. I am so glad that this story inspired someone to share it with the broader audience and make a movie. So the memory of Brandon Teena will live forever. The movie itself when it comes to execution was very accurately done and directed with the necessary approach. I definitely recommend this movie.

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Lincoln L

@Linkolnbio2 Sep 24, 2026

It's okay, it provides a standard, baseline viewing experience with no major surprises.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Mar 1, 2026

Based on a true story in 1 hour and 59 minutes. The 2000 winner of Academy Award for Best Actress (Hilary Swank).

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Orin D

@RT64117979 Dec 11, 2025

"Boys Don't Cry" is one of the finest films of its type I have ever see. Hillary Swank's performance should have on awards including an Oscar for best actor. I highly recommend this film! Don't let the difficult subject matter & the tragedy deter you. Watch it & share it. Perhaps the film can prevent further tragedies such as this one. Orin P. Domenico

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thiago s

@Thiagostone Sep 27, 2025

Filme legal, o roteiro é legalzinho, as cenas são legais, a história é legalzinha, o elenco é bacaninha, e alguns ajudam a melhorar o filme, os personagens são bacaninhas, e o final do filme deu um drama legal, com tudo isso, eu recomendo esse filme.

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Kimberly Peirce

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Hilary Swank

Teena Brandon

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Boys Don't Cry: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Young female-to-male transgender Brandon Teena leaves his hometown under threat when his ex-girlfriend's brother discovers that he's biologically female. Resettling in the small town of Falls City, Nebraska, Brandon falls for Lana, an aspiring singer, and begins to plan for their future together. But when her ex-convict friends, John and Tom, learn Brandon's secret, things change very quickly.

Director: Kimberly Peirce
Producer: Eva Kolodner, John Hart, Christine Vachon, Jeff Sharp
Screenwriter: Kimberly Peirce, Andy Bienen
Distributor: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, Fox
Production Co: Killer Films, Independent Film Channel, Hart-Sharp Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Biography, Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 2, 1999, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $11.5M
Runtime: 1h 59m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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