Stand by Me

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2:09

Stand by Me

R

1986

1h 29m

Comedy

Drama

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Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

147 Reviews

94%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

After learning that a stranger has been accidentally killed near their rural homes, four Oregon boys decide to go see the body. On the way, Gordie Lachance (Wil Wheaton), Vern Tessio (Jerry O'Connell), Chris Chambers (River Phoenix) and Teddy Duchamp (Corey Feldman) encounter a mean junk man and a marsh full of leeches, as they also learn more about one another and their very different home lives. Just a lark at first, the boys' adventure evolves into a defining event in their lives.

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Critics Consensus

Rob Reiner brings warmth, wit, and understated grace to Stand by Me, crafting a deeply affecting coming-of-age tale whose authentic performances and emotional honesty elevate its familiar journey.

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Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

Jun 12

4.5/5

There’s no triumphant spirit here; there's no victory... Whatever this once was, it’s not coming back. It’s not morning in America. [Stand by Me] is a eulogy.

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Larushka Ivan-Zadeh

The Times (UK)

Apr 14

5/5

Stand by Me remains one of the loveliest and most devastating films ever made about the loss of childhood.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Apr 8

5/5

The resulting adventure -- bizarre, mysterious and moving -- is about lost youth and the recovery of innocence through writing and memory. It is also one of those vanishingly rare films where child actors have to carry almost the entire drama.

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Lee Tuohy

Sunday Independent (Ireland)

4d

A true example of first appearances being totally deceptive as this film slowly unfolds into a sensitive, yet entertaining nostalgic trip back to the time when Ben E. King recorded the title song.

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Pauline McLeod

Daily Mirror (UK)

Jul 23

The year's funniest, most delightful and enchanting film about adolescence.

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Mary Beth Crain

L.A. Weekly

Jul 23

The boys are wonderful, and the message is one to be pondered.

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NEELESH N

Apr 3

The best movie of all time! Thank you for re running it!

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Joanne S

Apr 2

Wonderful film with talented cast who are so great you forget they are acting. Heartfelt story of boyhood friendships.

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J

Apr 2

Great movie, still holds up as a coming of age story

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Mary

Apr 1

absolutely loved this movie. brought me back to when my children loved this movie.

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Brian

Apr 1

The acting, was magic and relatable for all ages. The cinematography, was epic and inviting in scope. The plot, was strong in holding attention and interest for the viewer.

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Ben W

Apr 1

Incredible film. Loved the relationship and interactions between this group of friends. A great innocent story.

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Rob Reiner

Director

Wil Wheaton

Gordie Lachance

River Phoenix

Chris Chambers

Corey Feldman

Teddy Duchamp

Jerry O'Connell

Vern Tessio

Kiefer Sutherland

Ace Merrill

Stand by Me: Official Clip - You're Not Taking Him

2:11

Stand by Me: Official Clip - Milk Money

2:11

Stand by Me: Official Clip - The Kid Was Dead

2:13

Stand by Me: Official Clip - Goodbye to Childhood

1:10

Stand by Me: Official Clip - Leeches

2:10

Stand by Me: Official Clip - The Body

2:09

Stand by Me: Official Clip - Train!

1:59

Stand by Me: Official Clip - The Pie-Eating Contest

2:11

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Stand by Me: 40th Anniversary Trailer

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Stand by Me: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

After learning that a stranger has been accidentally killed near their rural homes, four Oregon boys decide to go see the body. On the way, Gordie Lachance (Wil Wheaton), Vern Tessio (Jerry O'Connell), Chris Chambers (River Phoenix) and Teddy Duchamp (Corey Feldman) encounter a mean junk man and a marsh full of leeches, as they also learn more about one another and their very different home lives. Just a lark at first, the boys' adventure evolves into a defining event in their lives.

Director: Rob Reiner
Producer: Raynold Gideon, Bruce A. Evans, Andrew Scheinman
Screenwriter: Stephen King
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 8, 1986, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Mar 27, 2026
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 1, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $46.7M
Runtime: 1h 29m