Rudy

Play trailer

1:58

Rudy

PG

1993

1h 53m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

49 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Rudy Ruettiger (Sean Astin) wants to play football at the University of Notre Dame, but has neither the money for tuition nor the grades to qualify for a scholarship. Rudy redoubles his efforts to get out of the steel mill where his father works when his best friend (Christopher Reed) dies in an accident there. Overcoming his dyslexia thanks to his friend and tutor, D-Bob (Jon Favreau), Rudy gains admission to Notre Dame and begins to fight his way onto the school's fabled football team.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Though undeniably sentimental and predictable, Rudy succeeds with an uplifting spirit and determination.

Read Critics Reviews

Johanna Steinmetz

Chicago Tribune

Aug 23, 2016

3/4

Anspaugh, whose Hoosiers showed he knows from feel-good movies, directs this story as if he were conducting Bolero, carefully building climax upon climax as the story spirals to an underdog triumph every bit as tearful as that of Rocky.

Go to Full Review

Jeff Shannon

Seattle Times

Aug 23, 2016

3.5/4

The film is so effective because Rudy is never seen as mock-heroic, and he's never lifted toward unrealistic achievement. He simply does the very best he can.

Go to Full Review

Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

Aug 23, 2016

Underneath its rah-rah spirit, the PG-rated Rudy is straightforward enough to raise, albeit unintentionally, some troubling questions.

Go to Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Feb 6, 2025

7/10

Rudy is all heart, which provides a greater contrast in the face of continuing pitfalls, as well as a decent protagonist for this uplifting, encouraging tale.

Go to Full Review

JD Duran

InSession Film

Aug 15, 2024

A+

A great example of how "Hollywooding" something up a little can turn a fantastic true story into something that can affect the viewer even more than just the truth. These are the kinds of films that can only be done in America.

Go to Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 19, 2023

2.5/4

A likable if rather bland underdog tale, with director David Anspaugh and screenwriter Angelo Pizzo (who both scored with 1986’s meatier Hoosiers) dutifully checking off the boxes inherent in such Americana fare.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Robert P

@Superbad Sep 11, 2026

Rudy definately deserves 4.5 star Movie!

See more

Alex B

@ALEXANDRIA123 Sep 4, 2026

Rudy was an exceptional heart warming story of a young man with the dedication toward a dream no one else thought he could achieve!! The music, direction and superior acting that made up this film, stirred this viewer’s emotions and wishes there were more productions of this nature in our world today!! Alex b

See more

Adam D

@neph-lon Jul 16, 2026

It’s honestly remarkable watching a film for the first time that every single person around you has seen, is a cultural icon and means so much to so many people for the first time. Ita great ride, lovable character but without the nostalgia and layers of memories it’s hard to love it the same way. I think it’s a perfect example of how our interaction with films bring them to life, cultural relevance is just a “film”

See more

thiago S

@Thiagostone May 1, 2026

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

See more

alan g

@agenser Feb 4, 2026

Fantasy movie. Never happened. All made up.

See more

guglielmo d

@guglielmo Jan 21, 2026

Good underrated film. With a great feel-good factor! Certainly not a top film, but very good for its time. It was a bit long-winded at times, and unclear where we were and why, which made it a bit...confusing...

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

David Anspaugh

Director

Sean Astin

Rudy Ruettiger

Ned Beatty

Daniel

Charles S. Dutton

Fortune

Robert Prosky

Father Cavanaugh

Lili Taylor

Sherry

Rudy: Official Clip - Rudy's Victory

2:12

Now Playing

Rudy: Official Clip - I've Been Ready for This My Whole Life

2:08

Now Playing

Rudy: Official Clip - Last Game of the Season

1:16

Now Playing

Rudy: Official Clip - This Is for Rudy, Coach

2:11

Now Playing

Rudy: Official Clip - Fortune's Truth

2:12

Now Playing

Rudy: Official Clip - Football Tryouts

2:07

Now Playing

Rudy: Official Clip - Rudy Sacks O'Hara

1:31

Now Playing

Rudy: Official Clip - First Practice

1:52

Now Playing

View more videos

Race the Sun

22%

41%

Race the Sun

Watchlist

Places in the Heart

90%

83%

Places in the Heart

Watchlist

The Natural

83%

88%

The Natural

Watchlist

Avalon

86%

78%

Avalon

Watchlist

One Cup of Coffee

50%

58%

One Cup of Coffee

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Rudy: Trailer 1

1:58

Now Playing

Rudy 25th Anniversary: Special Event - 25th Anniversary Fathom Events Trailer

0:30

Now Playing

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Rudy Ruettiger (Sean Astin) wants to play football at the University of Notre Dame, but has neither the money for tuition nor the grades to qualify for a scholarship. Rudy redoubles his efforts to get out of the steel mill where his father works when his best friend (Christopher Reed) dies in an accident there. Overcoming his dyslexia thanks to his friend and tutor, D-Bob (Jon Favreau), Rudy gains admission to Notre Dame and begins to fight his way onto the school's fabled football team.

Director: David Anspaugh
Producer: Robert N. Fried, Cary Woods
Screenwriter: Angelo Pizzo
Distributor: Columbia Tristar, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: TriStar Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 18, 1993, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 1, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.7M
Runtime: 1h 53m
Sound Mix: Surround

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings