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What Dreams May Come

  • 19981998
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 53m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
108K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,952
432
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Robin Williams in What Dreams May Come (1998)
Home Video Trailer from Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Play trailer0:31
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Drama
  • Fantasy
  • Romance

Chris Nielsen dies in an accident, and enters Heaven. But when he discovers that his beloved wife Annie has killed herself out of grief over the loss, he embarks on an afterlife adventure to... Read allChris Nielsen dies in an accident, and enters Heaven. But when he discovers that his beloved wife Annie has killed herself out of grief over the loss, he embarks on an afterlife adventure to reunite with her.Chris Nielsen dies in an accident, and enters Heaven. But when he discovers that his beloved wife Annie has killed herself out of grief over the loss, he embarks on an afterlife adventure to reunite with her.

IMDb RATING
6.9/10
108K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,952
432
  • Director
    • Vincent Ward
  • Writers
    • Richard Matheson(novel "What Dreams May Come")
    • Ronald Bass(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Robin Williams
    • Cuba Gooding Jr.
    • Annabella Sciorra
Top credits
  • Director
    • Vincent Ward
  • Writers
    • Richard Matheson(novel "What Dreams May Come")
    • Ronald Bass(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Robin Williams
    • Cuba Gooding Jr.
    • Annabella Sciorra
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 705User reviews
    • 80Critic reviews
    • 44Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 7 wins & 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    What Dreams May Come
    Trailer 0:31
    What Dreams May Come

    Photos174

    Robin Williams in What Dreams May Come (1998)
    Robin Williams in What Dreams May Come (1998)
    Robin Williams and Cuba Gooding Jr. in What Dreams May Come (1998)
    Robin Williams and Darlene Ava Williams
    What Dreams May Come (1998)
    Robin Williams in What Dreams May Come (1998)
    Robin Williams in What Dreams May Come (1998)
    Robin Williams in What Dreams May Come (1998)
    Robin Williams in What Dreams May Come (1998)
    Robin Williams in What Dreams May Come (1998)
    Robin Williams and Cuba Gooding Jr. in What Dreams May Come (1998)
    Robin Williams in What Dreams May Come (1998)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Robin Williams
    Robin Williams
    • Chris Nielsenas Chris Nielsen
    Cuba Gooding Jr.
    Cuba Gooding Jr.
    • Albertas Albert
    Annabella Sciorra
    Annabella Sciorra
    • Annie Nielsenas Annie Nielsen
    Max von Sydow
    Max von Sydow
    • The Trackeras The Tracker
    Jessica Brooks Grant
    Jessica Brooks Grant
    • Marie Nielsenas Marie Nielsen
    Josh Paddock
    Josh Paddock
    • Ian Nielsenas Ian Nielsen
    Rosalind Chao
    Rosalind Chao
    • Leonaas Leona
    Lucinda Jenney
    Lucinda Jenney
    • Mrs. Jacobsas Mrs. Jacobs
    Maggie McCarthy
    Maggie McCarthy
    • Stacey Jacobsas Stacey Jacobs
    Wilma Bonet
    • Angieas Angie
    Matt Salinger
    Matt Salinger
    • Reverend Hanleyas Reverend Hanley
    Carin Sprague
    Carin Sprague
    • Best Friend Cindyas Best Friend Cindy
    June Carryl
    June Carryl
    • Woman in Car Accidentas Woman in Car Accident
    • (as June Lomena)
    Paul P. Card IV
    • Paramedicas Paramedic
    Werner Herzog
    Werner Herzog
    • Faceas Face
    Clara Thomas
    Clara Thomas
    • Little Girl at Lakeas Little Girl at Lake
    Benjamin Brock
    • Little Boy at Lakeas Little Boy at Lake
    Joe Bartnick
    • Warehouse workeras Warehouse worker
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Vincent Ward
    • Writers
      • Richard Matheson(novel "What Dreams May Come")
      • Ronald Bass(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    During a holiday in Switzerland, a young Chris Nielsen meets Annie Collins in a lake when their boats collide. Sharing a snack a few hours later, Chris and Annie fall in love. Marrying quickly, Chris works as pediatrician and Annie as artist painter and art dealer, and have two children, Ian and Marie. But their happy family life torn apart when Ian and Marie are in a car accident that kills them both and the nanny who was driving. Four years later, Chris and Annie try to restore their life despite the tragedy and celebrate their anniversary. When returning that night, Chris witnesses a car accident, after exiting the car in an attempt to help people, another car crashes into him, fatally hurting him. As he is dying in the hospital, Chris turns into a ghost in an attempt to tell Annie that he still exists and loves her, but his efforts cause more pain, and he decides to leave. Traveling Afterlife, Chris wakes up in Heaven, where he meets Albert Lewis, his former mentor. While Albert helps Chris to adapt to his new existence in Heaven. Annie falls into a deeper depression, tormented by the reminder of her husband and children. Unable to resist the suffering, Annie commits suicide, and Albert returns to Chris to explain him Annie's death. Determined to save Annie, Chris decides to travel to Hell to find her. As the travel advances, Chris' memories of his life with Ian and Annie put the mission in danger, making it harder to connect with Annie. Making a discovery about Albert's true identity, The Tracker splits them. But when they find her, Chris' memories of his life with Annie will make Chris question the success of the travel, having to make a decision that can change everything forever. —Chockys
    • afterlife
    • underwater scene
    • heaven
    • hell
    • suicide
    • 89 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • After life there is more. The end is just the beginning.
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Fantasy
      • Romance
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG-13 for thematic elements involving death, some disturbing images and language
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Annabella Sciorra initially had no desire to appear in the film, thinking that it would be too intense and sad. A read-through with Robin Williams convinced her otherwise.
    • Goofs
      When the little girl gives half her sandwich to the little boy on the dock, he takes the other half, and hands the first one back to her. As he hands it over, there is a bite missing in the middle. When she goes to eat it, it is whole.
    • Quotes

      Chris Nielsen: Thank you for every kindness. Thank you for our children. For the first time I saw them. Thank you for being someone I was always proud to be with. For your guts, for your sweetness. For how you always looked, for how I always wanted to touch you. God, you were my life. I apologize for everytime I ever failed you. Especially this one...

    • Crazy credits
      Disclaimer after the end credits: "The persons and events in this production are fictitious. No similarity to actual persons, living, dead or reincarnated is intended or should be inferred."
    • Alternate versions
      The DVD gives an alternative ending in which the kids (Ian & Marie) come to see Annie and Chris. They ask her if she wants to see them as Chris saw them. She says yes and they become Albert and Leona. They ask if she wants them to stay as they are or go back to being the kids. She says she knows who they are and should stay the same. Then Annie says she has to leave. This is the crucial point that wasn't in the original because Leona says those who commit suicide have to go back and be reincarnated. Chris says he wants to go back and Albert responds we figured that, a couple of star crossed lovers. He then says that Chris will meet Annie in Sri Lanka where Annie will die in his arms and he will die 40 years after that. Then there is a montage of Annie and Chris being born ending with side by side pictures of two new born babies.
    • Connections
      Edited into Doggiewoggiez! Poochiewoochiez! (2012)
    • Soundtracks
      Chris & Annie's Theme
      Based on variations of "Beside You"

      Written by Mark Snow (as Martin Fulterman) and Michael Kamen

    User reviews705

    Review
    Top review
    an impressive "tug" at heartstrings
    I am not that crazy about Robin Williams, though I don't dislike him. But he was adequate in this movie, because it called for a real sensitive and really nice guy. I feel that, from almost every one of the actors, there was a luminous glow emanating from their faces, like there was some sort of special lighting used. (There probably was!) As a result, the audience has empathy toward the characters and actually cares about what is happening to them. I've heard so many complaints about how it tries to pull at your heartstrings. Excuse me, but if there WAS a movie out there that made people cry without trying to, I would stay as far away from it as possible...

    .....YES, I believe there IS merit to be deserved by a movie if it creates any kind of obvious emotion. I think that crying at a movie either scares or annoys some people.

    I like how the movie made me feel awed during the first half, and even more awed during the second half; all the while making me feel sad throughout the movie at the same time. However, there is a difference between 'sad' and 'depressing'. I think the sadness helps any audience realize some parts of their inner-selves.

    While very memorable, curiously, the movie never intends for its audience to be close-minded enough to think that this is, with certainty, what happens after you die. It is more of a suggestion, an analogy, of how precious life is, and how deep the bond of love is between some people, no matter what happens.

    Rent this one today.
    helpful•66
    28
    • renaldo and clara
    • Aug 21, 2000

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 2, 1998 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • New Zealand
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Nơi Giấc Mơ Trở Thành
    • Filming locations
      • Angel Falls, Canaima National Park, Estado Bolívar, Venezuela
    • Production companies
      • Polygram Filmed Entertainment
      • Interscope Communications
      • Metafilmics
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $85,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $55,382,927
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $15,833,592
      • Oct 4, 1998
    • Gross worldwide
      • $55,382,927
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 53 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
      • DTS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1
      • 2.35 : 1

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