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Poster for Kramer vs. Kramer

Kramer vs. Kramer

Seen it?

1979 | 105 min | Drama

Friday Night Flick

Why it’s a Friday Night Flick

Critics loved it (89% on Rotten Tomatoes), it won 5 Oscars, people are still talking about it and audiences rate it highly (7.6 out of 10). Make plans for this one.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 45 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG: peril. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
  • Made in 1979: an older pace and style.

Ted Kramer is a career man for whom his work comes before his family. His wife Joanna cannot take this anymore, so she decides to leave him. Ted is now faced with the tasks of housekeeping and taking care of himself and their young son Billy.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    89% on Rotten Tomatoes, 77 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesStrong

    7.6 out of 10

  • AwardsVery strong

    Won 5 Oscars: Academy Awards: Best Picture, Academy Awards: Best Director, Academy Awards: Best Actor, Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress and 1 more. Won 4 Golden Globes: Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture – Drama, Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama, Golden Globe Awards: Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture, Golden Globe Awards: Best Screenplay – Motion Picture. Won 1 DGA Award: Directors Guild of America Awards: Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures. Won 1 WGA Award: Writers Guild of America Awards: Best Drama – Adapted from Another Medium. Also nominated for 3 more Oscars, 3 more Golden Globes and 6 BAFTAs. Plus 14 other awards.

  • Box office & staying powerStrong

    $173 million worldwide on a $8 million budget

  • Buzz & cultural impactVery strong

    About 602K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Robert Benton

  • Dustin HoffmanTed Kramer
  • Meryl StreepJoanna Kramer
  • Jane AlexanderMargaret Phelps
  • Justin HenryBilly Kramer
  • Howard DuffJohn Shaunessy
  • George CoeJim O'Connor
  • JoBeth WilliamsPhyllis Bernard
  • Bill MoorGressen
  • Howland ChamberlainJudge Atkins
  • Jack RamageSpencer