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Boys Don't Cry

  • 1999
  • 16
  • 1h 58m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
103K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,593
136
Hilary Swank in Boys Don't Cry (1999)
Trailer
Play trailer1:00
1 Video
99+ Photos
BiographyCrimeDrama

A young man named Brandon Teena navigates love, life, and being transgender in rural Nebraska.A young man named Brandon Teena navigates love, life, and being transgender in rural Nebraska.A young man named Brandon Teena navigates love, life, and being transgender in rural Nebraska.

  • Director
    • Kimberly Peirce
  • Writers
    • Kimberly Peirce
    • Andy Bienen
  • Stars
    • Hilary Swank
    • Chloë Sevigny
    • Peter Sarsgaard
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    103K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    3,593
    136
    • Director
      • Kimberly Peirce
    • Writers
      • Kimberly Peirce
      • Andy Bienen
    • Stars
      • Hilary Swank
      • Chloë Sevigny
      • Peter Sarsgaard
    • 466User reviews
    • 63Critic reviews
    • 86Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 50 wins & 39 nominations total

    Videos1

    Boys Don't Cry
    Trailer 1:00
    Watch Boys Don't Cry

    Photos148

    Hilary Swank in Boys Don't Cry (1999)
    Hilary Swank, Peter Sarsgaard, and Brendan Sexton III in Boys Don't Cry (1999)
    Chloë Sevigny and Hilary Swank in Boys Don't Cry (1999)
    Hilary Swank in Boys Don't Cry (1999)
    Kimberly Peirce in Boys Don't Cry (1999)
    Hilary Swank at an event for Boys Don't Cry (1999)
    Hilary Swank in Boys Don't Cry (1999)
    Chloë Sevigny and Hilary Swank in Boys Don't Cry (1999)
    Hilary Swank in Boys Don't Cry (1999)
    Hilary Swank in Boys Don't Cry (1999)
    Hilary Swank in Boys Don't Cry (1999)
    Hilary Swank in Boys Don't Cry (1999)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Hilary Swank
    Hilary Swank
    • Brandon Teena
    Chloë Sevigny
    Chloë Sevigny
    • Lana Tisdel
    Peter Sarsgaard
    Peter Sarsgaard
    • John Lotter
    Brendan Sexton III
    Brendan Sexton III
    • Tom Nissen
    Alicia Goranson
    Alicia Goranson
    • Candace
    Alison Folland
    Alison Folland
    • Kate
    Jeannetta Arnette
    Jeannetta Arnette
    • Lana's Mom
    Rob Campbell
    Rob Campbell
    • Brian
    Matt McGrath
    Matt McGrath
    • Lonny
    Cheyenne Rushing
    • Nicole
    Robert Prentiss
    • Trucker
    Josh Ridgway
    • Kwik Stop Cashier
    Craig Erickson
    • Trucker in Kwik Stop
    Stephanie Sechrist
    • April
    Jerry Haynes
    Jerry Haynes
    • Judge
    Lou Perryman
    • Sheriff
    Lisa Renee Wilson
    • Pam
    • (as Lisa Wilson)
    Jackson Kane
    • Sam Phillips
    • Director
      • Kimberly Peirce
    • Writers
      • Kimberly Peirce
      • Andy Bienen
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Directors Who Got Their Start at Sundance

    Directors Who Got Their Start at Sundance

    Did you know Everything Everywhere All at Once directors Daniels debuted their first movie at Sundance? Our timeline spotlights the directors and their films that broke big at the festival.
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    Editorial Image
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When Hilary Swank was living as a man to prepare for the role of Brandon Teena, her neighbors believed that the young man coming and going from Swank's home (Swank in male character) was her visiting brother.
    • Goofs
      When the girls (and Brandon) go on a trip to Kansas City, the Dallas skyline can be seen.
    • Quotes

      Lana: Shut up. That's your business. Look, I don't care if you're half monkey or half ape, I'm gettin' you out of here.

    • Crazy credits
      A special thanks to all of the transmen and butch dykes who helped, advised and auditioned for this project and supported the process of bringing this story to the screen.
    • Alternate versions
      The USA version originally garnered an NC-17 from the MPAA. The film was cut and re-rated R. The European version reportedly is uncut.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Double Jeopardy/Jakob the Liar/Mumford (1999)
    • Soundtracks
      Just What I Needed
      Written by Ric Ocasek

      Performed by The Cars

      Published by Lido Music, Inc.

      Courtesy of Elektra Entertainment Group

      By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

    User reviews466

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    WOW! One of the most powerful films EVER!
    For a movie to be able to start off a "little" (emphasis on little) slow, and turn into a spectacle of both amazing acting, directing, and an amazing script is not only a rarity, but is almost unheard of. "Boys Don't Cry" is one of the most powerful films that I have ever seen. Ms. Hilary Swank embraced her character with open arms, and turned him into a hero. A incredibly hard task, considering a "few minor 'glitches'". The fact that this movie is based upon a true story only emphasizes the themes it is trying to portray. As a human race, it only makes sense that we should strive to accept our originality and differences, and celebrate them, rather than diminish them, and look upon them as being "bad". This movie is one that gives the audience the "complete package", and not just a pretty actress or soundtrack. As an all encompassing film, "Boys Don't Cry" is brilliant.
    helpful•50
    16
    • reedis-2
    • Apr 18, 2000

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 5, 2000 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Fox Searchlight
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Take It Like a Man
    • Filming locations
      • Dallas, Texas, USA
    • Production companies
      • Searchlight Pictures
      • The Independent Film Channel Productions
      • Killer Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $2,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $11,540,607
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $73,720
      • Oct 10, 1999
    • Gross worldwide
      • $11,540,607
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 58 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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