American Graffiti | Rotten Tomatoes

American Graffiti

PG

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1h 50m

Comedy

Drama

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American Graffiti: Trailer 1

2:49

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95%

Tomatometer

62 Reviews

84%

Audience Score

50,000+ Ratings

From director George Lucas (Star Wars) and producer Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather), American Graffiti is a classic coming-of-age story set against the 1960s backdrop of hot rods, drive-ins and rock n’ roll. Starring Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss, Harrison Ford, Cindy Williams, Mackenzie Phillips and Suzanne Somers in their breakout roles, this nostalgic look back follows a group of teenagers as they cruise the streets on their last summer night before college. Nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, American Graffiti features the howling sounds of Wolfman Jack and an unforgettable soundtrack with songs by Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, The Beach Boys and Bill Haley & His Comets.

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Critics Consensus

One of the most influential of all teen films, American Graffiti is a funny, nostalgic, and bittersweet look at a group of recent high school grads' last days of innocence.

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Jake Cole

Slant Magazine

The primary interest of American Graffiti is its setting and the nostalgia that it conjures.

Nov 8, 2023

Full Review

Pauline Kael

New Yorker

The movie has no resonance except from the jukebox sound and the eerie, nocturnal jukebox look.

Sep 19, 2023

Full Review

Richard Roeper

Chicago Sun-Times

A surprise blockbuster hit with an enormous and lasting cultural footprint.

Aug 26, 2023

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Jeff Beck

The Blu Spot

American Graffiti is a classic coming-of-age flick that holds up rather well after 50 years. It may not be too heavy on plot, but it more than makes up for it with its charming characters, brought to life by a tremendous cast, and its rockin' soundtrack.

Rated: 3.5/5

Nov 6, 2023

Full Review

David Elliott

Chicago Daily News

I'm not sure I would have enjoyed their way of life, but it's a great one to remember, even if you didn't live it yourself, and it makes American Graffiti the ultimate nostalgia movie -- certainly the best teen-myth movie since Rebel Without a Cause.

Oct 3, 2023

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Nothing much really happens as they hit the sock-hop, cruise the strip, grab a bite at the drive-in, and square off in a drag race on the outskirts of town. It’s more of a mosaic, jumping from character to character over the long, last night...

Aug 19, 2023

Full Review

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Lord W

Classic! Amazing in theaters.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/03/23

Full Review

Google

Important film making an important statement about youth and American pop culture and coming of age in the 1960s. Fun movie, yet also serious.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/29/22

Full Review

bobby

More like this please

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/29/22

Full Review

Anthony P

I ADORE THE ENTIRE MOVIE.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/29/22

Full Review

Narciso R

One of a kind. What a cast. NRJ.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/25/24

Full Review

Augustine J

This was a surprisingly wholesome and fun movie. It's a fun look back from the seventies to the early sixties. It's like Dazed and Confused's older brother. Just one fun night following a fun group of teens around. It's also the movie that put George Lucas on the map and put him in the position to be able to make Star Wars, so that's kinda cool. It's a fun romp, go watch it.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/13/24

Full Review

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George Lucas

Director

Richard Dreyfuss

Curt Henderson

Ron Howard

Steve Bolander

Paul Le Mat

John Milner

Charles Martin Smith

Terry "The Toad" Fields

Cindy Williams

Laurie Henderson

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American Graffiti: Official Clip - A Snowball Dance

2:31

American Graffiti: Official Clip - Toad Gets Lucky

1:42

American Graffiti: Official Clip - Wolfman Jack

2:59

American Graffiti: Official Clip - This Is My Cousin, Carol

2:02

American Graffiti: Official Clip - Must Be Your Mama's Car

2:43

American Graffiti: Official Clip - The Most Perfect Dazzling Creature Ever

1:31

American Graffiti: Official Clip - Wanna Go For A Ride?

2:45

American Graffiti: Official Clip - Drag Race at Paradise Road

2:55

American Graffiti: Official Clip - Pharaohs and the Cop Car

2:57

American Graffiti: Official Clip - Water Balloon Prank

1:46

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American Graffiti: Trailer 1

2:49

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Synopsis

From director George Lucas (Star Wars) and producer Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather), American Graffiti is a classic coming-of-age story set against the 1960s backdrop of hot rods, drive-ins and rock n’ roll. Starring Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss, Harrison Ford, Cindy Williams, Mackenzie Phillips and Suzanne Somers in their breakout roles, this nostalgic look back follows a group of teenagers as they cruise the streets on their last summer night before college. Nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, American Graffiti features the howling sounds of Wolfman Jack and an unforgettable soundtrack with songs by Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, The Beach Boys and Bill Haley & His Comets.

Director: George Lucas
Producer: Francis Ford Coppola, Gary Kurtz
Screenwriter: George Lucas, Gloria Katz, Willard Huyck
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Coppola Company, Lucasfilm Ltd.
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 11, 1973, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Aug 27, 2023
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 13, 2015
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Surround, Mono
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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