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Poster for Stripes

1981 | 106 min | Action, Comedy

Saturday Special

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

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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