Reality Bites

Play trailer

Reality Bites

PG-13

1994

1h 38m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

61%

Tomatometer

59 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

After college, Lelaina (Winona Ryder) films a documentary about herself and friends as they flounder in their attempts to forge relationships and begin careers. Vickie (Janeane Garofalo) works retail, has an endless string of one-night stands and awaits the results of her HIV test. Sammy (Steve Zahn) tries to come out to his parents. Lelaina gets involved with yuppie Michael (Ben Stiller) while maintaining a love-hate relationship with Troy (Ethan Hawke), who's undergoing an existential crisis.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Reality Bites may be too slick to fulfill its promise as a profound statement on Generation X, but an appealing ensemble and romantic sizzle make for an entertaining dive into the ennui of youth.

Read Critics Reviews

Clarisse Loughrey

Independent (UK)

08/03/2019

A lot has changed between the generations, but Reality Bites asks a question that anyone, of any age, will find familiar: what happens when the life you were promised isn't the life you got?

Go to Full Review

Noel Murray

AV Club

08/03/2019

In a picture full of painful moments, it's hard to decide on the lowest point.

Go to Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

02/15/2018

Written with verve and played with grace, Reality Bites is too smart to pass itself off as a definitive statement, but it gets the details delightfully right.

Go to Full Review

Sean Burns

WBUR’s Arts & Culture

04/25/2024

For a lot of us Gen Xers, watching ‘Reality Bites’ now is like looking at an awkward yearbook picture of yourself when you had your worst haircut.

Go to Full Review

Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

03/26/2021

6/10

As a depiction of a particular age in a particular country for a specific generation, it is still a pleasant nostalgic trip.

Go to Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

06/17/2020

3/4

...a fairly by-the-numbers setup that's employed to impressively compelling (and relatable) effect by first-time filmmaker Stiller...

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

EE D

Jan 11

Really hard to watch, it's soo cheesy that the bile got up my throat. The stupid beginning & then the opening scene where they argue at the table is just plain bad, couldn't watch more

See more

Iva E.

@iva.eisinger Jan 2

Don’t think I was the target audience for the nostalgia of this film. However, still enjoyed it for the vibes despite finding a few characters unlikable.

See more

Monty G

@Montyginger Jan 1

You know it’s a good movie when Winona has the best haircut of all time and when it’s a Gen X movie

See more

Mo S.

@9mr_0 Dec 16

جيد القصة جيده رغم بعض الهفوات و الفلسفة المالها داعي

See more

Steve Y

@Cubby65 Dec 4

If snark and pop culture references are your thing, you've come to the right place. Worth a watch, anyway.

See more

Edward B

Oct 17

Thoroughly good movie If you are arthouse fan you're like this....a film that stay with you week and. Possibly months after viewing

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Ben Stiller

Director

Winona Ryder

Lelaina Pierce

Ethan Hawke

Troy Dyer

Ben Stiller

Michael Grates

Janeane Garofalo

Vickie Miner

Steve Zahn

Sammy Gray

Reality Bites: Official Clip - My Sharona

1:05

Reality Bites: Official Clip - You Look Like a Doily

2:51

Reality Bites: Official Clip - A Den of Slack

1:47

Reality Bites: Official Clip - Troy Comes Back

2:59

Reality Bites: Official Clip - A Total Prick

2:54

Reality Bites: Official Clip - Only Love Can Break Your Heart

2:48

Reality Bites: Official Clip - Freaking Out

2:27

Reality Bites: Official Clip - A Cup of Joe

2:03

Reality Bites: Official Clip - The World Doesn't Owe You Any Favors

2:18

Reality Bites: Official Clip - Non-Practicing Virgin

1:50

View more videos

The Cure

50%

84%

The Cure

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Cure

Crooklyn

79%

89%

Crooklyn

Watchlist

Fried Green Tomatoes

77%

87%

Fried Green Tomatoes

Watchlist

Lorenzo's Oil

93%

80%

Lorenzo's Oil

Watchlist

Double Happiness

73%

70%

Double Happiness

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

After college, Lelaina (Winona Ryder) films a documentary about herself and friends as they flounder in their attempts to forge relationships and begin careers. Vickie (Janeane Garofalo) works retail, has an endless string of one-night stands and awaits the results of her HIV test. Sammy (Steve Zahn) tries to come out to his parents. Lelaina gets involved with yuppie Michael (Ben Stiller) while maintaining a love-hate relationship with Troy (Ethan Hawke), who's undergoing an existential crisis.

Director: Ben Stiller
Producer: Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg
Screenwriter: Helen Childress
Distributor: Argentina Video Home, United International Pictures, MCA/Universal Pictures [us]
Production Co: Jersey Films, Universal Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 18, 1994, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 30, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.0M
Runtime: 1h 38m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo, DTS

Most Popular at Home Now