Joy

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2:38

Joy

PG-13

2015

2h 3m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

61%

Tomatometer

271 Reviews

57%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

A story of a family across four generations, centered on the girl who becomes the woman (Jennifer Lawrence) who founds a business dynasty and becomes a matriarch in her own right. Facing betrayal, treachery, the loss of innocence and the scars of love, Joy becomes a true boss of family and enterprise. Allies become adversaries and adversaries become allies, both inside and outside the family, as Joy's inner life and fierce imagination carry her through the storm she faces.

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Critics Consensus

Joy is anchored by a strong performance from Jennifer Lawrence, although director David O. Russell's uncertain approach to its fascinating fact-based tale only sporadically sparks bursts of the titular emotion.

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Manuel Betancourt

Bitch Media

02/09/2021

Joy pursues a number of ill-fitting narrative detours that detract from the fascinating story that should be at the core of the movie. While I was rooting for the film-and for Joy herself - ultimately it felt like the film missed a key opportunity.

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Udita Jhunjhunwala

Livemint

08/15/2019

This optimistic, often amusing story is a Lawrence show all the way as she flies the flag for feminism, entrepreneurship and family without missing a beat.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

09/01/2017

C-

Oh Mr. Russell, you're nothing if not predictable.

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Mel Campbell

ScreenHub

Dec 29

What makes ‘Joy’ peak Christmas viewing is that its plucky, practical heroine succeeds while carrying her bumbling family … Joy’s best revenge is to blanket them in a snowfall of generosity they know they don’t deserve.

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Josh Slater-Williams

Vague Visages

11/14/2023

A little bit of that magic spread somewhere on Joy's set, since its maestros successfully manage to sell you on a film that's ostensibly about the creation of a cleaning product...

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

09/04/2023

3/5

Equal to the scattered mess of personalities within this central family, the film itself doesn't know what it wants to be and that's a large flaw.

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Thyaagu C

@Thyaagu Apr 12

JL Shines bright!! Talk about her ex‑husband being a constant supporter over the years, and her step sister, sharing the same blood, being unsupportive.

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VITALII H

@freakynickison Mar 11

At first I was very skeptical, not gonna lie but progressively it got so much better that I kinda vanished into this movie. It’s impossible not to root for Joy, she’s so passionate about her invention that she didn’t let anyone stand in her way. I wish I had her confidence and courage, Jennifer did her justice, so well performed, the cast overall was great. I really enjoyed this movie, don’t know why it took me so long to finally watch it, now I did and it was amazing.

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Roger D

@RogerDee Aug 9

Jennifer Lawrence is amazing in the lead performance and the movie as a whole is solid. But after it ended, I couldn’t help but feel like I needed more, as if something were missing. I can’t quite put my finger on it. But overall, 4/5 movie for me

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Breno G

@RT17565543 05/16/2025

Special Effects: 1,0/Sound Effects: 1,0/Acting: 0,5/Story: 1,5

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thiago s

@Thiagostone 01/13/2025

Filme bacana, o roteiro é bacana, gostei da atuação da jennifer lawrence, e a história é bacaninha, e gostei do Bradley cooper ele ajudou bem no filme.

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L S

@LS253 01/06/2025

As good as it is, and as solid as all the performances are, it just leaves you wanting a bit more depth. Despite the gaping holes in the story and the script, and the rather trite ending, I'd recommend watching. Perfect Sunday afternoon fodder.

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Joy: Extended Look

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Joy: International Trailer 1

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Joy: Trailer 1

2:20

Joy: Teaser Trailer 1

1:54

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Synopsis

A story of a family across four generations, centered on the girl who becomes the woman (Jennifer Lawrence) who founds a business dynasty and becomes a matriarch in her own right. Facing betrayal, treachery, the loss of innocence and the scars of love, Joy becomes a true boss of family and enterprise. Allies become adversaries and adversaries become allies, both inside and outside the family, as Joy's inner life and fierce imagination carry her through the storm she faces.

Director: David O. Russell
Producer: John Davis, Ken Mok, Megan Ellison, Jonathan Gordon, David O. Russell
Screenwriter: David O. Russell
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Fox 2000 Pictures, 10 by 10 Entertainment, Davis Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Brief Strong Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 2015, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $56.4M
Runtime: 2h 3m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)