Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Real Genius

  • 19851985
  • PGPG
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
34K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,924
29
Val Kilmer in Real Genius (1985)
Trailer 1
Play trailer1:59
2 Videos
92 Photos
ComedyRomanceSci-Fi
An uptight teenage prodigy enters a top engineering college, but feels awkward among the freewheeling students. When a professor aims to turn their laser project into a military weapon, he a... Read allAn uptight teenage prodigy enters a top engineering college, but feels awkward among the freewheeling students. When a professor aims to turn their laser project into a military weapon, he and his offbeat roommate plot to ruin the plan.An uptight teenage prodigy enters a top engineering college, but feels awkward among the freewheeling students. When a professor aims to turn their laser project into a military weapon, he and his offbeat roommate plot to ruin the plan.
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
34K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,924
29
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Martha Coolidge
    • Writers
      • Neal Israel(story)
      • Pat Proft(story)
      • PJ Torokvei(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Val Kilmer
      • Stacy Peralta
      • Daniel Ades
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Martha Coolidge
    • Writers
      • Neal Israel(story)
      • Pat Proft(story)
      • PJ Torokvei(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Val Kilmer
      • Stacy Peralta
      • Daniel Ades
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 150User reviews
    • 43Critic reviews
    • 71Metascore
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 2 nominations

    Videos2

    Real Genius
    Trailer 1:59
    Real Genius
    The Evolution of Nerds
    Video 3:44
    The Evolution of Nerds

    Photos92

    Val Kilmer in Real Genius (1985)
    Val Kilmer, Michelle Meyrink, Jon Gries, Gabriel Jarret, and Mark Kamiyama in Real Genius (1985)
    Val Kilmer in Real Genius (1985)
    Val Kilmer, Gabriel Jarret, and Robert Prescott in Real Genius (1985)
    Val Kilmer in Real Genius (1985)
    Val Kilmer and Gabriel Jarret in Real Genius (1985)
    Val Kilmer in Real Genius (1985)
    Val Kilmer in Real Genius (1985)
    Val Kilmer in Real Genius (1985)
    Val Kilmer, Patti D'Arbanville, Jon Gries, and Mark Kamiyama in Real Genius (1985)
    Patti D'Arbanville, Jon Gries, and Mark Kamiyama in Real Genius (1985)
    Val Kilmer, Patti D'Arbanville, Jon Gries, and Mark Kamiyama in Real Genius (1985)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Val Kilmer
    Val Kilmer
    • Chris Knight
    Stacy Peralta
    Stacy Peralta
    • Shuttle Pilot
    Daniel Ades
    • Laser Ray Victim
    Andres Aybar
    • Bartender
    Louis Giambalvo
    Louis Giambalvo
    • Major Carnagle
    Ed Lauter
    Ed Lauter
    • David Decker
    Charles Shull
    • Air Force General
    Beau Billingslea
    Beau Billingslea
    • George
    Charles Parks
    • Larry
    William Atherton
    William Atherton
    • Professor Jerry Hathaway
    Sean Frye
    Sean Frye
    • Boy at Science Fair
    JoAnn Willette
    JoAnn Willette
    • Girl at Science Fair
    Ina Gould
    • Old Lady
    Nadine Vix
    • Student at Science Fair
    Gabriel Jarret
    Gabriel Jarret
    • Mitch Taylor
    • (as Gabe Jarret)
    Paul Tulley
    • Mr. Taylor
    Joanne Baron
    Joanne Baron
    • Mrs. Taylor
    Harry Johnson
    Harry Johnson
    • Darlington Recruiter
    • (as Chip Johnson)
    • Director
      • Martha Coolidge
    • Writers
      • Neal Israel(story) (screenplay)
      • Pat Proft(story) (screenplay)
      • PJ Torokvei(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    More like this

    Revenge of the Nerds
    6.6
    Revenge of the Nerds
    Top Secret!
    7.2
    Top Secret!
    Better Off Dead...
    7.1
    Better Off Dead...
    Summer School
    6.6
    Summer School
    Weird Science
    6.6
    Weird Science
    Back to School
    6.6
    Back to School
    One Crazy Summer
    6.3
    One Crazy Summer
    Joy of Sex
    3.7
    Joy of Sex
    Mr. Mom
    6.6
    Mr. Mom
    Teen Wolf
    6.1
    Teen Wolf
    The Murders in the Rue Morgue
    5.7
    The Murders in the Rue Morgue
    Can't Buy Me Love
    6.7
    Can't Buy Me Love

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When Lazlo Hollyfeld (Jon Gries) sends in a large number of entries to the Frito-Lay contest, he is mirroring the actions of Caltech students Steve Klein, Dave Novikoff and Barry Megdal, who, in 1974, used a similar strategy to win a McDonald's sweepstakes. Their entries came to roughly 1/5th of the total entries and won them a station wagon, $3,000 cash and $1,500 in food gift certificates.
    • Goofs
      They say the ice in the hall would sublimate directly to gas. If that would be true, it would be impossible to skate or glide on this kind of ice as the building of water is essential for gliding/skidding on ice. However, Ick never reveals what the substance is, and it's possible his mystery substance can both sublime and provide for skating.
    • Quotes

      Mitch: What are you doing?

      Chris Knight: Self-realization. I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, "... I drank what?"

    • Alternate versions
      In one pan-and-scan version, when Jordan looks through the hole the laser made through a tree, the camera stays on her while another pan-and-scan version cuts aside to Chris for his line and to catch him turning his head when she says, "Look!"
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Fright Night/Real Genius/Weird Science/The Coca-Cola Kid (1985)
    • Soundtracks
      You Took Advantage of Me
      Written by Richard Rodgers (uncredited) and Lorenz Hart (uncredited)

      Performed by Carmen McRae

      Courtesy of MCA Records

    User reviews150

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    One of the all time best 80's college movies
    Val Kilmer is hilarious as a college genius on par with Einstein, but is more interested in partying and chasing girls. A new arrival to the campus, Mitch, is a brilliant 15 year-old whom Val takes under his wing and tries to get to loosen up and have a good time.

    There are probably some important themes and ideas to analyze within this movie, but for me it's just an old-school personal favorite that I've seen about 100 times. Great 80's music soundtrack and funny performances. William Atherton is perfect as the self-important, snobby professor, and another highlight is Robert Prescott, who plays his butt-kissing, nerdy assistant "Kent".

    A movie that asks the question, isn't life experience just as important for education, as classrooms and books? A very funny, fine film that is up there with "Animal House" in my opinion.
    helpful•52
    8
    • thirdi
    • Nov 3, 2001

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 7, 1985 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Was für ein Genie
    • Filming locations
      • San Diego, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Delphi III Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $8,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $12,952,019
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,557,180
      • Aug 11, 1985
    • Gross worldwide
      • $12,952,019
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 48 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Val Kilmer in Real Genius (1985)
    Top Gap
    What is the German language plot outline for Real Genius (1985)?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The Best Movies and Shows to Watch in August
    See the full list
    View list
    List
    Fall TV Guide: The Best Shows Coming This Year
    See the full list
    View image
    Photos
    Double Take: Celebrity Twins
    See the full list

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Back to top
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more access
    Sign in for more access
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.