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IMDbPro

Real Genius

  • 1985
  • PG
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
38K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,262
851
Val Kilmer in Real Genius (1985)
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.
Play trailer1:59
3 Videos
96 Photos
Teen ComedyComedyRomanceSci-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.

  • Director
    • Martha Coolidge
  • Writers
    • Neal Israel
    • Pat Proft
    • PJ Torokvei
  • Stars
    • Val Kilmer
    • Stacy Peralta
    • Daniel Ades
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    38K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    4,262
    851
    • Director
      • Martha Coolidge
    • Writers
      • Neal Israel
      • Pat Proft
      • PJ Torokvei
    • Stars
      • Val Kilmer
      • Stacy Peralta
      • Daniel Ades
    • 158User reviews
    • 48Critic reviews
    • 71Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 2 nominations

    Videos3

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

    Photos96

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    + 88
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    Top cast67

    Edit
    Val Kilmer
    Val Kilmer
    • Chris Knight
    Stacy Peralta
    Stacy Peralta
    • Shuttle Pilot
    Daniel Ades
    • Laser Ray Victim
    Andres Aybar
    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
      • Pat Proft
      • PJ Torokvei
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    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
      As anyone who has ever made microwave popcorn (which is essentially what is happening at Hathaway's house) knows, the process releases a lot of steam, which is what drives the popping. As a result of that, Kent would have at least been severely burned just from the steam, if not cooked alive if he didn't get out of the house in time.
    • Quotes

      Mitch: You know, um, something strange happened to me this morning...

      Chris Knight: Was it a dream where you see yourself standing in sort of sun-god robes on a pyramid with a thousand naked women screaming and throwing little pickles at you?

      Mitch: No...

      Chris Knight: Why am I the only one who has that dream?

    • 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 reviews158

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    A High IQ version of Animal House
    This movie is in the genre of Animal House and Revenge of the Nerds but features a cast of geniuses working on a laser, with one of the professors and his minions being the opposition.

    It is in my top 10 films of all time list.

    The humorous dialog goes on between ALL the characters but Val Kilmer has center stage even though the story seems to be about Mitch, the new 15 year old, premature college geek.

    It is a magical movie that can truly lift your spirits if you are depressed. You can watch it over and over again because its power is not so much in the story but in the superb and genuinely captivating interaction between Val Kilmer and the rest of the cast.
    • wally-70
    • Jun 12, 2003
    • Permalink

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    FAQ21

    • How long is Real Genius?Powered by Alexa
    • Why would the government go to Jerry Hathaway to build the laser? Wouldn't it be easier to have a lab in the US Department of Defense design it?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 7, 1985 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Academia de genios
    • Filming locations
      • Pomona College - 333 N. College Way, Claremont, 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
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
      • Dolby Atmos
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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