Man on the Moon | Rotten Tomatoes

Man on the Moon

R

Released Dec 22, 1999

1h 58m

Biography

List

64%

122 Reviews

Tomatometer

79%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Jim Carrey stars as the late Andy Kaufman, who was considered one of the most innovative, eccentric and enigmatic performers of his time. A master at manipulating audiences, Kaufman could generate belly laughs, stony silence, tears or brawls. Whether inviting the audience out for milk and cookies or challenging women to inter-gender wrestling matches, he specialized in creating performances so real that even his close friends were never sure where the truth lay.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Jan 02

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Rent Man on the Moon on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

Critics Consensus

Jim Carrey is eerily dead-on in his portrayal of Andy Kaufman, which helps to elevate Man on the Moon above the script's formulaic biopic cliches.

Read Critics Reviews

Derek Adams

Time Out

We're constantly kept guessing as to what's real or false. Intriguing.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

Leslie Felperin

Sight & Sound

The problem is that while Kaufman's life story has its required quota of bizarre-yet-true events, it's doomed to failure as mainstream entertainment because Kaufman wasn't terribly likeable as a person.

Dec 2, 2002

Full Review

Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle

As drama, it's a near miss. Yet as an introduction -- or a reminder -- of a singular talent, it has its appeal.

Rated: 2/4

Jun 18, 2002

Full Review

Frank J. Avella

Edge Media Network

Besides a clever script, deft direction, and Carrey literally carrying the film to incredible heights, Forman was able to assemble a host of actors playing themselves, including most of the original "Taxi" cast members...

Rated: B+

Mar 2, 2022

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

A socko motion picture.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 27, 2022

Full Review

Andrea Beach

Common Sense Media

Entertaining biopic has strong language, brief nudity.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 20, 2019

Full Review

Read all reviews

Todd

Any actual fan of Andy couldn't like how Jim played him. It was a bad performance. Not to say Jim isn't a genius but this was not a good match.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/15/24

Full Review

Ian W

Only heard about Andy Kaufmann as an actor in Taxi in the late 70's. Had little idea about the rest of his utterly bizarre life. Jim Carey was obviously a fan and threw his heart and soul into the role. As a film, it's probably nothing special in the bio-pic genre. But because the character was just so interesting, found it very watchable. Kaufmann is probably chuckling up there at the various attempts to prove his death was faked. Also I never knew the REM song was a tribute to Kaufmann. Every day you learn something new. "Now, Andy, did you hear about this one? Tell me, are you locked in the punch? Hey, Andy, are you goofing on Elvis? Hey, baby Are we losing touch?"

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/28/24

Full Review

C

Carrey was good, but who Andy Kaufman really was, is not explained in the movie. Maybe Kaufman was always acting. Why? Did he have his own personality? His life ended tragically, but are we forced to accept people as they are? Was there a time when Kaufman was just himself? I am glad Carrey made a tribute movie to Andy.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/07/23

Full Review

David F

This is a prestige picture about the famous eccentric comedian/performance artist Andy Kaufman. Kaufman's odd philosophy of entertainment at first seemed like it wouldn't quite mesh in a feature film but it eventually blossomed and started to make sense and become entertaining. There's a lot of great acting and directing in this movie, which is a loving tribute to a comic legend.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/02/23

Full Review

StephenPaul C

LOL, the funniest 01 hour: and 58 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Featuring the worst comedian in the world: Andy Kaufman (played funny by James Carrey)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also starring Danny DeVito, Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler, David Letterman, Caroline Rhea, and Lorne Michaels!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And Christopher Lloyd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/18/23

Full Review

M R

Really great and underappreciated. This is one of Jim Carrey's best performances. It's odd, sad at times, and not really a comedy. It's just the retelling of a gifted artist's life in a very well made film. I believe this was unpopular because most audiences went in expecting either a comedy or another "The Truman Show" and this is somewhere in the middle but a lot more zany. 86100 B

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/26/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Milos Forman

Director

Jim Carrey

Andy Kaufman

J. Alan Thomas

Self

Bob Zmuda

Jack Burns

Max Alexander

Harrah's Booker

Peter Bonerz

Ed. Weinberger - Taxi Producer

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Man on the Moon: Official Clip - A Friendly, Friendly World

2:42

Man on the Moon: Official Clip - David Letterman

2:58

Man on the Moon: Official Clip - A Night at Carnegie Hall

3:00

Man on the Moon: Official Clip - A Fight on Live TV

3:03

Man on the Moon: Official Clip - Wrestling Women

2:43

Man on the Moon: Official Clip - Tony Gets Fired

1:58

Man on the Moon: Official Clip - Tony Clifton

2:52

Man on the Moon: Official Clip - The Elvis Presley

2:51

Man on the Moon: Official Clip - Mighty Mouse is on the Way

2:11

View more videos

24%

37%

Isn't She Great

83%

71%

Winchell

52%

76%

Why Do Fools Fall in Love

83%

80%

Introducing Dorothy Dandridge

67%

77%

Basquiat

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Jim Carrey’s Best Movies

Digital Multiplex: Jack Reacher, Mama and More

Box Office Guru Preview: New Pics Challenge "Borat’s" Mandate

View more photos

Synopsis

Jim Carrey stars as the late Andy Kaufman, who was considered one of the most innovative, eccentric and enigmatic performers of his time. A master at manipulating audiences, Kaufman could generate belly laughs, stony silence, tears or brawls. Whether inviting the audience out for milk and cookies or challenging women to inter-gender wrestling matches, he specialized in creating performances so real that even his close friends were never sure where the truth lay.

Director: Milos Forman
Producer: Michael Hausman, George Shapiro, Howard West, Bob Zmuda
Screenwriter: Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Mutual Film Company, Universal Pictures, Jersey Films, Cinehaus
Rating: R (Brief Sexuality|Brief Nudity|Language)
Genre: Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 22, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 7, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $34.6M
Runtime: 1h 58m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now