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Poster for Urban Cowboy

Urban Cowboy

Seen it?

1980 | 132 min | Drama, Romance, Western

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It made about 5 times its budget and it's still drawing plenty of interest. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

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

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for romantics. If you loved The Power of the Dog or The Big Country, start here.
The mood
Warm and romantic.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 12 min.
What might put you off
Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.

After moving to Pasadena, Texas, country boy Bud Davis starts hanging around a bar called Gilley's, where he falls in love with Sissy, a cowgirl who believes the sexes are equal. They eventually marry, but their relationship is turbulent due to Bud's traditional view of gender roles. Jealousy over his rival leads to their separation, but Bud attempts to win Sissy back by triumphing at Gilley's mechanical bull-riding competition.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsSolid

    70% on Rotten Tomatoes, 61 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.5 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerStrong

    $53 million worldwide on a $10 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 180K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by James Bridges

  • John TravoltaBud Davis
  • Debra WingerSissy
  • Scott GlennWes
  • Madolyn Smith OsbornePam
  • Barry CorbinUncle Bob
  • Brooke AldersonAunt Corene
  • Cooper HuckabeeMarshall
  • James GammonSteve Strange
  • Mickey GilleyHimself
  • Johnny LeeHimself