The Cannonball Run
Seen it?1981 | 95 min | Action, Comedy, Family
Weeknight WatchWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
It made about 4 times its budget, but just 29% on Rotten Tomatoes and a lukewarm 6.2 out of 10 from audiences held it back. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
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, action fans and families. Audiences love it more than critics do: a crowd-pleaser first.
- The mood
- Light and funny, feel-good.
- The pace
- Fast-moving, at 1 hr 35 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
A cross-country road race is based on an actual event, the Cannonball Baker Sea to Shining Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, organized by Brock Yates to protest the 55 mph speed limit then in effect in the U.S. The Cannonball was named for Erwin G. "Cannonball" Baker, who in the roaring 20's rode his motorcycle across the country. Many of the characters are based on ruses developed by real Cannonball racers over the several years that the event was run.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsWeak
29% on Rotten Tomatoes, 28 on Metacritic
- AudiencesBelow par
6.2 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No real honors on record. Nominated for 1 Razzie, the "worst of the year" awards. Razzies don't count toward the rating.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$72 million worldwide on a $18 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 283K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Hal Needham
- Burt ReynoldsJ.J. McClure
- Roger MooreSeymour
- Farrah FawcettPamela
- Dom DeLuiseVictor
- Dean MartinJamie Blake
- Sammy Davis Jr.Fenderbaum
- Jack ElamDoctor
- Adrienne BarbeauMarcie
- Terry BradshawTerry
- Jackie ChanSubaru Driver #1