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Stand by Me

Play trailer 1:15 Poster for Stand by Me R 1986 1h 29m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
88% Tomatometer 128 Reviews 94% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
After learning that a stranger has been accidentally killed near their rural homes, four Oregon boys decide to go see the body. On the way, Gordie Lachance (Wil Wheaton), Vern Tessio (Jerry O'Connell), Chris Chambers (River Phoenix) and Teddy Duchamp (Corey Feldman) encounter a mean junk man and a marsh full of leeches, as they also learn more about one another and their very different home lives. Just a lark at first, the boys' adventure evolves into a defining event in their lives.
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Stand by Me

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Critics Consensus

Stand by Me is a wise, nostalgic movie with a weird streak that captures both Stephen King's voice and the trials of growing up.

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Critics Reviews

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Harper Barnes St. Louis Post-Dispatch Jan 14
As sweet, funny and painfully true as any portrait of boyhood you are likely to see on film. Go to Full Review
Gerald Nachman San Francisco Chronicle Jan 14
3/4
"Stand by Me" is a gentle memory of youth with a rich, golden, pastoral tone that Reiner superbly sustains. Go to Full Review
Paul Byrnes Sydney Morning Herald Jan 14
The striking thing about Stand By Me is its mixture of innocence, melancholy, and realism. Go to Full Review
Bruce R. Miller Sioux City Journal Jan 14
"Stand By Me" is guaranteed to bring a tear to your eye and a tug at your heart. It's wonderful. Go to Full Review
Ronan Farren Sunday Independent (Ireland) Jan 14
River Phoenix and Wil Wheaton are particularly good, catching the basic sympathy that exists between boys of that age. Go to Full Review
Michael Sragow San Francisco Examiner Jan 14
2/4
"Stand by Me" substitutes sentimentality for teen-movie zap. It's an ode to arrested preadolescence. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Matthew M Jul 24 Absolutely amazing movie. One of my all time favorites. See more Walter W 2d Wanna go see a dead body? 40 years have flown by since "Stand By Me" first screened and people are still asking the questions what animal is "Goofy" and what’s the one food you could eat for the rest of your life? This perfect 1986 film is based on a Stephen King novella, "The Body". The young cast including Wil Wheaton, the late River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell and Kiefer Sutherland are astonishing, especially thanks to skilful scriptwriters Raynold Gideon and Bruce A. Evans in this coming of age film streaming on Binge. The engaging story of searching for another young boys dead, lifeless body along miles of railway track is narrated effortlessly by Richard Dreyfus. The late master film maker Rob Reiner directed this authentic gem from a genre that takes me back to my childhood adventures in the 60’s and 70’s in Australia. This movie will strike a chord with generations to come. "Stand By Me" still feels as fresh in 2026 as it did a lifetime ago. See more Enrique R @EnriqueRamosLovesMovies Jan 18 Stand By Me, this film is great with beautiful shots and visuals. This movie is like a rated R version of The Goonies and I love it. River Phoenix and the other child actors did great and was so entertaining. Rob Rainer(the director) does really well again with the visuals and he did good films like A Few Good Men. So I would give Stand By Me a 10 out of 10. Or a 5/5 stars. See more Donovan B. @DonoFilmReview Jan 15 Exceptional movie showcasing the rawness of boyhood. Visually I was impressed by the coloring and the glow effects in certain scenes. Stylistically, the films colors invited warm and nostalgic feelings. Camera work was in sync with plot progression made everything look and feel natural. super wide shots when the traveled a distance away, close ups for conversations, etc. Overall a good watch. “I never had friends later on like the ones i had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?” See more Ed B. @EdLee Jan 12 Stand by me, nice coming of age movie. One of those Movies that has longevity. Tale about 4 boys off on pilferage to discover another boys dead body who was killed by a train. The friendship we witness during their adventure is what makes this an instant classic worth watching. See more Tyler P. @TylerPhoenixMD Jan 7 Perfect childhood movie! Really brings you back to the time they were in! The acting is fantastic, the story is amazing! This one you should not miss! See more Read all reviews
Stand by Me

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Stand by Me

Stand by Me: Official Clip - You're Not Taking Him Stand by Me: Official Clip - You're Not Taking Him 2:11 Stand by Me: Official Clip - Milk Money Stand by Me: Official Clip - Milk Money 2:11 Stand by Me: Official Clip - The Kid Was Dead Stand by Me: Official Clip - The Kid Was Dead 2:13 Stand by Me: Official Clip - Goodbye to Childhood Stand by Me: Official Clip - Goodbye to Childhood 1:10 Stand by Me: Official Clip - Leeches Stand by Me: Official Clip - Leeches 2:10 Stand by Me: Official Clip - The Body Stand by Me: Official Clip - The Body 2:09 Stand by Me: Official Clip - Train! Stand by Me: Official Clip - Train! 1:59 Stand by Me: Official Clip - The Pie-Eating Contest Stand by Me: Official Clip - The Pie-Eating Contest 2:11 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis After learning that a stranger has been accidentally killed near their rural homes, four Oregon boys decide to go see the body. On the way, Gordie Lachance (Wil Wheaton), Vern Tessio (Jerry O'Connell), Chris Chambers (River Phoenix) and Teddy Duchamp (Corey Feldman) encounter a mean junk man and a marsh full of leeches, as they also learn more about one another and their very different home lives. Just a lark at first, the boys' adventure evolves into a defining event in their lives.
Director
Rob Reiner
Producer
Raynold Gideon, Bruce A. Evans, Andrew Scheinman
Screenwriter
Stephen King
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating
R
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 8, 1986, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 1, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$46.7M
Runtime
1h 29m
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