Up in the Air

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1:53

Up in the Air

R

2009

1h 49m

Comedy

Drama

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

283 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

An idea from a young, new co-worker (Anna Kendrick) would put an end to the constant travel of corporate downsizer Ryan Bingham (George Clooney), so he takes her on a tour to demonstrate the importance of face-to-face meetings with those they must fire. While mentoring his colleague, he arranges hookups with another frequent-flier (Vera Farmiga), and his developing feelings for the woman prompt him to see others in a new light.

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Critics Consensus

Led by charismatic performances by its three leads, director Jason Reitman delivers a smart blend of humor and emotion with just enough edge for mainstream audiences.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

08/30/2018

We always know just where this film is going... . But as co-written and directed by Jason Reitman, the plot's twists are so delicious and the dialogue so inventively perfect it doesn't matter a jot.

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Ed Koch

The Atlantic

01/16/2018

A slick, cute, diverting, superbly-acted film but also an empty one due to the picture's raison d'être: a one-trick pony concerned solely with lack of commitment.

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Matt Singer

The Rumpus

09/18/2017

Up in the Air is sentimental, but that doesn't mean it's simplistic. In fact, the movie plays at some interesting contradictions. It is a genuinely funny movie about genuinely depressing times.

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Will Mavity

Next Best Picture

08/01/2025

8/10

It’s less flashy than Clooney’s work in “The Descendants” two years later, but it’s every bit as heartbreaking.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

10/06/2023

Where 'Up in the Air' soars is in the way it captures Ryan's rhythm, the elegant precision of his comforting ritual, the smooth familiarity of his life-in-transition existence.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

08/28/2023

3.5/4

A painful, intelligent, and darkly comic drama that will affect you regardless of how you choose to interpret it.

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Don J

@DonJuilio 18h

Up in the Air is a movie about a guy who has perfected the art of never being anywhere and then discovers that maybe being somewhere is the whole point. It’s smart, funny, and surprisingly moving. The dialogue crackles, the characters feel painfully human, and underneath all the jokes is this quiet question... what happens when the life you carefully designed turns out to be the life you never actually wanted? George Clooney is terrific, playing a man who can explain why he doesn’t need anyone right up until the moment he realizes he might. Funny when it needs to be, melancholy when you least expect it, and ultimately a pretty beautiful reminder that connection isn’t baggage. Sometimes it’s the destination.

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Eye C

@ECinc Mar 22

Another great movie to watch on a plane. Since the first time that I watched it, it became one of my all time favorites. Great script, and the performance of George Clooney is amazing. And the presence of Vera Farmiga it's just a perfect reason to see anything.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jan 1

The worldwide gross is $166,842,739.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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bob c

@RT46426964 Dec 18

In the middle of the biggest corporate collapse of 2009 Clooney’s character flies the country sacking people and doing Vera. Don’t worry tho. He isn’t happy. Nor is his scrawny young apprentice.

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Gareth v

@geewah 08/06/2025

Clooney delivers one of his best performances in this smart, bittersweet character study that blends sharp social commentary with emotional subtlety.

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kevenquinlan T

@RT75276071 07/06/2025

Fantastic movie. Vera and George at their best. A must for your collection.

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Jason Reitman

Director

George Clooney

Ryan Bingham

Vera Farmiga

Alex Goran

Anna Kendrick

Natalie Keener

Jason Bateman

Craig Gregory

Danny McBride

Jim Miller

Up in the Air: Official Clip - You Are a Parenthesis

1:45

Up in the Air: Official Clip - A Cocoon of Self-Banishment

1:53

Up in the Air: Official Clip - Video Chat Firing

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Up in the Air: Official Clip - What Is the Point?

2:13

Up in the Air: Official Clip - How Much Did They Pay You to Give Up on Your Dreams?

2:13

Up in the Air: Official Clip - Sell Me Marriage

2:02

Up in the Air: Official Clip - Cheap Is Our Starting Point

2:13

Up in the Air: Official Clip - The Miles Are the Goal

2:04

Up in the Air: Official Clip - People Do Crazy Sh** When They Get Fired

2:11

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Up in the Air: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

An idea from a young, new co-worker (Anna Kendrick) would put an end to the constant travel of corporate downsizer Ryan Bingham (George Clooney), so he takes her on a tour to demonstrate the importance of face-to-face meetings with those they must fire. While mentoring his colleague, he arranges hookups with another frequent-flier (Vera Farmiga), and his developing feelings for the woman prompt him to see others in a new light.

Director: Jason Reitman
Producer: Daniel Dubiecki, Jeffrey Clifford, Ivan Reitman
Screenwriter: Sheldon Turner
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Montecito Picture Company
Rating: R (Some Sexual Content|Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 23, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 20, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $83.8M
Runtime: 1h 49m

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