Check Google Play Movies availability
Rent or buy
LOADING
MOVIE DECISION GUIDE
Awakenings
CAST & DIRECTOR
Directed by Penny Marshall. With Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, John Heard.
7.8/10
MOVIHERO RATINGWHAT IT'S ABOUT
Dr. Malcolm Sayer, a shy research physician, uses an experimental drug to "awaken" the catatonic victims of a rare disease. Leonard is the first patient to receive the controversial treatment. His awakening, filled with awe and enthusiasm, proves a rebirth for Sayer too, as the exuberant patient reveals life's simple but unutterably sweet pleasures to the introverted doctor.
Watch NowWatch trailer
7.8/10
MOVIHERO RATINGYOUR WATCHLISTDr. Malcolm Sayer, a shy research physician, uses an experimental drug to "awaken" the catatonic victims of a rare disease. Leonard is the first patient to receive the…
MAKE THE CALL
Does this belong in your night?
A decision, not a review. Choose the kind of night you want and keep your queue honest.
RELEASE SNAPSHOT
Release snapshot for Awakenings.
MoviHero lists December 4, 1990 as the release date for Awakenings. Penny Marshall is the listed director. The listed cast includes Robert De Niro as Leonard Lowe, Robin Williams as Malcolm Sayer, John Heard as Dr. Kaufman, Julie Kavner as Eleanor Costello. A trailer and 5 stills are available on this page.
Release dateDecember 4, 1990
GenresDrama
Runtime2h
DirectorPenny Marshall
CastRobert De Niro as Leonard Lowe, Robin Williams as Malcolm Sayer, John Heard as Dr. Kaufman, Julie Kavner as Eleanor Costello
TrailerAvailable on this page
Images5 stills
BEFORE YOU PRESS PLAY
Is Awakenings right for tonight?
Pacing, attention and emotional impact are estimates from the current MoviHero Watch Profile, not verified scene-by-scene reviews.
How much time should I set aside?
Awakenings runs 2h. Allow extra time for breaks.
Is it slow or fast?
The current MoviHero pacing estimate is 4/10: a more patient pace.
Is it a good choice when I am tired?
The attention estimate is 5/10. Expect to follow the story rather than use it as background viewing.
How emotionally intense is it?
The emotional-impact estimate is 5/10, suggesting a moderate emotional load. This does not tell you whether the ending is happy or sad.
CHANGE ONE THING
Like this, but...
These share a listed genre with Awakenings. Profile differences are estimates, not a guarantee of the same story or mood.
MOVIE RATING
MoviHero Rating
MoviHero Rating: 7.8/10 from 3,010 votes. Updated Nov 8, 2026.
Rating data supplied by TMDB, shown on a 10-point scale. MoviHero audience ratings are calculated separately from scores submitted here.
MOVIHERO AUDIENCE RATING
What did you think?
Your movie rating. Your audience score.
CHECK AVAILABILITY
Check Awakenings on Google Play Movies or Apple TV Store
Find rental or purchase options. Confirm availability, price and quality in your region on the store.
Check Apple TV Store availability
Rent or buy
Quality isn’t confirmed yet. Check the viewing option on the provider’s site.
OPTION 2
Other ways to watch Awakenings
Compare reported U.S. streaming, free, rental and purchase options in one place.
United States
Tubi TV
Free with adsCheck quality on provider
Price varies by providerVisit Tubi TV
Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel
SubscriptionCheck quality on provider
Price varies by providerWatch on Prime Video
Amazon Video
RentBuyCheck quality on provider
Price varies by providerRent or buy
WHAT WATCHING IT FEELS LIKE
Watch Profile
Seven estimates of the viewing experience, based on the stored Watch Profile. These are separate from the movie rating and are not verified scene-by-scene assessments.
Pacing4/10
Emotional Impact5/10
Mind-Bending2/10
Scary1/10
Violence2/10
Rewatchability6/10
Attention Required5/10
VIEWER REVIEWS
What viewers say about Awakenings
Selected viewer reactions, in their own words. These excerpts reflect individual opinions, not an overall verdict.
Viewer reaction
“A ‘hospital film’ with Robin Williams and Robert De Niro, based on a true story A shy doctor (Robin Williams) gets a job at a…”
Viewer reaction
“De Niro deserved his nomination for this… Robin Williams should’ve been nominated as well.”
Selected review excerpts supplied by TMDB. Opinions belong to their original authors.
WORDS THAT STAY WITH YOU
Memorable lines
Reveal a line containing a spoiler
“Hello. My name is Leonard Lowe. It has been explained to me that I've been away for quite some time. I'm back.”
A CLOSER LOOK
Stay with the image.
CAST & CREW
The people who make it land.
CHARACTERS IN THIS MOVIE
Follow the character.
Reviewed MoviHero character guides connected to this movie.
SIMILAR GENRES & STORY THEMES
Keep the night going.
7.5/10
MOVIHERO RATINGThe Book Thief
2013·Drama
7.5/10
MOVIHERO ESTIMATEThe Fox King
2026·Drama
7.5/10
MOVIHERO ESTIMATEHappily Ever After
2026·Drama