Stripes

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3:01

Stripes

R

1981

1h 45m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

41 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Hard-luck cabbie John Winger (Bill Murray) -- directionless after being fired from his job and dumped by his girlfriend -- enlists in the U.S. Army with his close pal, Russell Ziskey (Harold Ramis). After his barely satisfactory performance in basic training, the irreverent Winger emerges as the figurehead for a ragtag band of Army misfits. However, his hijinks threaten to cause an international scandal when he inadvertently commandeers a military assault vehicle behind enemy lines.

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Critics Consensus

A raucous military comedy that features Bill Murray and his merry cohorts approaching the peak of their talents.

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

03/14/2021

Murray is completely democratic in this film: He taunts the strong and the weak alike.

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Gary Arnold

Washington Post

12/18/2015

The premise and star remain out of whack until the rambling, diffuse screenplay finally struggles beyond basic training.

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Variety Staff

Variety

03/26/2009

There's little in the way of art or comic subtlety here, but the film really seems to work.

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

10/28/2021

Reitman, Murray, and Ramis aren't even in the prime of their careers for Stripes but you couldn't tell this from watching the film.

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Jared Mobarak

Jaredmobarak.com

03/14/2021

7/10

The filmmakers take the usual army tropes and find the comedy by creating an atmosphere for the actors to go crazy with improvisation.

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John Ferguson

Radio Times

03/14/2021

3/5

[Murray's] sleazy charisma helps disguise the formulaic "you're in the army now" plotting.

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Jordan S.

@jswez Jan 30

No idea what people find funny about this movie. Literally laughed one time. My least favorite Bill Murray or John Candy film.

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Mary S

Jan 16

Totally bereft of identifiable plot. Sight gags are not enough to carry the show.

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Vincent S.

@Vin_E_At_The_Movies Jan 14

Bill Murray owns the screen every minute in his finest comedy classic. This beautiful, brilliant, raunchy Army comedy is a comic masterpiece with heart. John Candy, Warren Oates, Harold Ramis and everyone else in the cast, pitch perfect! This movie makes me very happy!

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Melissa L

@Agent99 Jan 13

I saw this in the theatre the year it was released. I don't think I've watched it since. After watching it again, I believe it's stood the test of time...it is still funny.

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John S

Dec 14

Before the Ghostbusters became a big hit, there was Stripes. This quirky comedy about making a living from Uncle Sam, a great adventure. Nice date and buddy movie.

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Frank G

@Fdg9631 Dec 12

One of my very few "go to" movies whenI can’t seem to find anything to watch. Played it countless times over the last probably 30 years. In my opinion, one of the best comedies out there!

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Ivan Reitman

Director

Bill Murray

John Winger

Harold Ramis

Russell Ziskey

Warren Oates

Sgt. Hulka

P.J. Soles

Stella

Sean Young

Louise

Stripes: Official Clip - We're Mutants

2:09

Stripes: Official Clip - Razzle-Dazzle at Graduation

2:09

Stripes: Official Clip - Chicks Dig Me

2:11

Stripes: Official Clip - The Aunt Jemima Treatment

1:51

Stripes: Official Clip - Hulka Blows Up

2:11

Stripes: Official Clip - Psycho and Ox

2:08

Stripes: Official Clip - Willing to Learn

2:08

Stripes: Official Clip - You're Going Nowhere, John

2:09

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Stripes: Trailer 1

3:01

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Synopsis

Hard-luck cabbie John Winger (Bill Murray) -- directionless after being fired from his job and dumped by his girlfriend -- enlists in the U.S. Army with his close pal, Russell Ziskey (Harold Ramis). After his barely satisfactory performance in basic training, the irreverent Winger emerges as the figurehead for a ragtag band of Army misfits. However, his hijinks threaten to cause an international scandal when he inadvertently commandeers a military assault vehicle behind enemy lines.

Director: Ivan Reitman
Producer: Daniel Goldberg, Ivan Reitman
Screenwriter: Len Blum, Daniel Goldberg, Harold Ramis
Distributor: RCA/Columbia, Columbia Pictures, Columbia TriStar Home Video
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 26, 1981, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Stereo
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, 1.66:1, Flat (1.85:1)

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