Rudy

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Rudy

PG

1993

1h 53m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

80%

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49 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Rudy Ruettiger (Sean Astin) wants to play football at the University of Notre Dame, but has neither the money for tuition nor the grades to qualify for a scholarship. Rudy redoubles his efforts to get out of the steel mill where his father works when his best friend (Christopher Reed) dies in an accident there. Overcoming his dyslexia thanks to his friend and tutor, D-Bob (Jon Favreau), Rudy gains admission to Notre Dame and begins to fight his way onto the school's fabled football team.

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Critics Consensus

Though undeniably sentimental and predictable, Rudy succeeds with an uplifting spirit and determination.

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Johanna Steinmetz

Chicago Tribune

Aug 23, 2016

3/4

Anspaugh, whose Hoosiers showed he knows from feel-good movies, directs this story as if he were conducting Bolero, carefully building climax upon climax as the story spirals to an underdog triumph every bit as tearful as that of Rocky.

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Jeff Shannon

Seattle Times

Aug 23, 2016

3.5/4

The film is so effective because Rudy is never seen as mock-heroic, and he's never lifted toward unrealistic achievement. He simply does the very best he can.

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Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

Aug 23, 2016

Underneath its rah-rah spirit, the PG-rated Rudy is straightforward enough to raise, albeit unintentionally, some troubling questions.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Feb 6, 2025

7/10

Rudy is all heart, which provides a greater contrast in the face of continuing pitfalls, as well as a decent protagonist for this uplifting, encouraging tale.

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JD Duran

InSession Film

Aug 15, 2024

A+

A great example of how "Hollywooding" something up a little can turn a fantastic true story into something that can affect the viewer even more than just the truth. These are the kinds of films that can only be done in America.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 19, 2023

2.5/4

A likable if rather bland underdog tale, with director David Anspaugh and screenwriter Angelo Pizzo (who both scored with 1986’s meatier Hoosiers) dutifully checking off the boxes inherent in such Americana fare.

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Robert P

@Superbad 3 days ago

Rudy definately deserves 4.5 star Movie!

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Alex B

@ALEXANDRIA123 Sep 4, 2026

Rudy was an exceptional heart warming story of a young man with the dedication toward a dream no one else thought he could achieve!! The music, direction and superior acting that made up this film, stirred this viewer’s emotions and wishes there were more productions of this nature in our world today!! Alex b

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Adam D

@neph-lon Jul 16, 2026

It’s honestly remarkable watching a film for the first time that every single person around you has seen, is a cultural icon and means so much to so many people for the first time. Ita great ride, lovable character but without the nostalgia and layers of memories it’s hard to love it the same way. I think it’s a perfect example of how our interaction with films bring them to life, cultural relevance is just a “film”

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thiago S

@Thiagostone May 1, 2026

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

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alan g

@agenser Feb 4, 2026

Fantasy movie. Never happened. All made up.

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guglielmo d

@guglielmo Jan 21, 2026

Good underrated film. With a great feel-good factor! Certainly not a top film, but very good for its time. It was a bit long-winded at times, and unclear where we were and why, which made it a bit...confusing...

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David Anspaugh

Director

Sean Astin

Rudy Ruettiger

Ned Beatty

Daniel

Charles S. Dutton

Fortune

Robert Prosky

Father Cavanaugh

Lili Taylor

Sherry

Rudy: Official Clip - Rudy's Victory

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Rudy: Official Clip - I've Been Ready for This My Whole Life

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Rudy: Official Clip - Football Tryouts

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Synopsis

Rudy Ruettiger (Sean Astin) wants to play football at the University of Notre Dame, but has neither the money for tuition nor the grades to qualify for a scholarship. Rudy redoubles his efforts to get out of the steel mill where his father works when his best friend (Christopher Reed) dies in an accident there. Overcoming his dyslexia thanks to his friend and tutor, D-Bob (Jon Favreau), Rudy gains admission to Notre Dame and begins to fight his way onto the school's fabled football team.

Director: David Anspaugh
Producer: Robert N. Fried, Cary Woods
Screenwriter: Angelo Pizzo
Distributor: Columbia Tristar, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: TriStar Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 18, 1993, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 1, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.7M
Runtime: 1h 53m
Sound Mix: Surround

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