
Stripes
Seen it?1981 | 106 min | Action, Comedy
Why it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (88% on Rotten Tomatoes), it made about 9 times its budget and it's still drawing plenty of interest. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh and action fans. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Light and funny.
- The pace
- Fast-moving, at 1 hr 46 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Hard-luck cabbie John Winger, directionless after being fired from his job and dumped by his girlfriend, enlists in the U.S. Army with his close pal, Russell Ziskey. After his barely satisfactory performance in basic training, the irreverent Winger emerges as the figurehead for a ragtag band of misfits. However, his hijinks threaten to cause an international scandal when he inadvertently commandeers a military assault vehicle behind enemy lines.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 68 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.6 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$85 million worldwide on a $10 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 252K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Die HartWeeknight WatchAnother action comedy, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Eenie MeanieWeeknight WatchAnother action comedy, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Private BenjaminSunday Safe BetAnother comedy, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
FreelanceMonday Morning MaybeAnother action comedy. Fair warning: it's a Monday Morning Maybe.
Kelly's HeroesSunday Safe BetAnother comedy, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Ivan Reitman
- Bill MurrayJohn Winger
- Harold RamisRussell Ziskey
- Warren OatesSgt. Hulka
- P. J. SolesStella Hansen
- Sean YoungLouise Cooper
- John CandyDewey "Ox" Oxberger
- John LarroquetteCapt. Stillman
- John VoldstadStillman's Aid
- John DiehlCruiser
- Lance LeGaultCol. Glass