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Hearts in Atlantis

Play trailer Poster for Hearts in Atlantis PG-13 2001 1h 41m Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
49% Tomatometer 136 Reviews 64% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Hearts In Atlantis is a drama based on Stephen King's bestseller of the same name. It is the story of a mysterious man (Anthony Hopkins) who enlists the aid of a brilliant young boy (Anton Yelchin) to save his life. This friendship with a mysterious stranger forever changes the way he sees the world.
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Hearts in Atlantis

Hearts in Atlantis

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Critics Consensus

Hearts in Atlantis is well-acted and beautiful to look at, but the movie is nothing more than a mood piece.

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Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Common Sense Media Dec 24, 2010
3/5
Above average coming of age story. Go to Full Review Peter Travers Rolling Stone Oct 3, 2001
2.5/5
Hicks ... coats the film in a bogus idyllic mist that substitutes cheap sentiment for blunt truth. Go to Full Review Michael Atkinson Village Voice Oct 2, 2001
The unblinking sympathy for kids struggling with evil and with the strange frequencies of prepubescent passion can, if your defenses are down, lay you out. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Nov 18, 2023
Inspiring without sinking into sentimentality or cliché, Hearts in Atlantis is a coming of age story that has nothing to do with sexual rites of passage or mystical quests and everything to do with the gaining of wisdom and self-esteem ... Go to Full Review Brian D. Johnson Maclean's Magazine Oct 15, 2019
Anthony Hopkins uses his casual intelligence to deflect a dung-storm of sentimental hocus-pocus. Go to Full Review Kit Bowen Hollywood.com Nov 20, 2008
3/5
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Audience Reviews

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Marco L @decatur555 Jun 25, 2026 Hearts in Atlantis is a moving and atmospheric Stephen King adaptation, closer to memory, mystery and childhood drama than to pure horror. Anthony Hopkins is excellent as Ted Brautigan, bringing kindness, mystery and quiet sadness to the role, while young Anton Yelchin gives the film its heart with a sensitive and very natural performance. The story has that unmistakable King feeling: a lonely child, a mysterious adult, hidden danger and the discovery that the world is darker than it first appears. It also works as a reflection on suspicion, control and fear of those who are different, without turning that into a heavy speech. It may lack a little more intensity, but it is well acted, emotional and easy to appreciate. See more Caesar P. @RT04084040 Apr 26, 2026 I found this movie to be incredibly moving, especially the scenes where the older man reflects on his hometown. Those moments, along with the darker ones, make this film a powerful exploration of the battle between good and evil. See more Glory K @Ms.Glory Feb 26, 2026 This holds up as well as Stand by Me, perhaps better, when it comes to tackling childhood themes. Despite the sad and dark notes, the overall tone warms your soul. See more Panda F @White-Wolf Dec 21, 2025 I just watched this very old Anthony Hopkins movie and it was a terrific story. I highly recommend it. See more Eric J @RT48991459 Nov 2, 2025 It's 2025 and an old Steven King fan like me just read this book, so I watched the movie. I loved it! If you're like me and read the book yesterday, this movie really is a must-see. It's great to see faithful adaptations of King's books! If you haven't read the book, it might fall a bit flat for you - just being honest. So, go read the book cover-to-cover first, then come back here. See more Jerod S @jeroduptown Oct 24, 2025 A King novel that adapts better than most of his stuff to film. Hopkins comes to town and befriends Bobby, a young boy that shares his psychic powers. See more Read all reviews
Hearts in Atlantis

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Cast & Crew

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Scott Hicks

Director

Anthony Hopkins

Ted Brautigan

Anton Yelchin

Bobby Garfield

Hope Davis

Liz Garfield

Mika Boorem

Carol Gerber

David Morse

Adult Bobby Garfield

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Hearts in Atlantis

Hearts in Atlantis (2001) Hearts in Atlantis (2001) Hearts in Atlantis (2001) Anton Yelchin is Bobby Garfield and Mika Boorem is Carol in "Hearts In Atlantis" directed by Scott Hicks. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Hearts In Atlantis is a drama based on Stephen King's bestseller of the same name. It is the story of a mysterious man (Anthony Hopkins) who enlists the aid of a brilliant young boy (Anton Yelchin) to save his life. This friendship with a mysterious stranger forever changes the way he sees the world.
Director
Scott Hicks
Producer
Kerry Heysen
Screenwriter
William Goldman, Stephen King
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
NPV Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, Village Roadshow Prod.
Rating
PG-13 (Violence|Thematic Elements)
Genre
Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 28, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 14, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA)
$24.2M
Runtime
1h 41m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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