The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

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The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

PG

2013

1h 54m

Comedy

Adventure

Fantasy

Action

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

52%

Tomatometer

194 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller), an employee at Life magazine, spends day after monotonous day developing photos for the publication. To escape the tedium, Walter inhabits a world of exciting daydreams in which he is the undeniable hero. Walter fancies a fellow employee named Cheryl (Kristen Wiig) and would love to date her, but he feels unworthy. However, he gets a chance to have a real adventure when Life's new owners send him on a mission to obtain the perfect photo for the final print issue.

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Critics Consensus

It doesn't lack for ambition, but The Secret Life of Walter Mitty fails to back up its grand designs with enough substance to anchor the spectacle.

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

Jun 19, 2016

With such high aims, it's too bad that 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty' falls somewhat short of greatness. But it's not often that you come across a "big" movie as earnest and patently un-cynical as this one.

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Dana Stevens

Slate

Jan 1, 2014

Stiller's attempt to braid together introspection and humor kept me engaged and curious, even when I wasn't quite sure what he was setting out to do.

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Donald Clarke

Irish Times

Jan 1, 2014

3/5

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty probably succeeds on its own terms. Given the elusive nature of those terms, it is, however, hard to tell for certain.

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Wael Khairy

The Cairo Scene

Sep 23, 2022

I admire the film’s originality, and the thought-provoking twist ending, but daydream of a deeper director’s cut.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Aug 19, 2022

1.5/4

Less about Walter Mitty’s secret life than his actual, perfectly romantic, impossibly realized adventures, the film loses itself in a fantasy world all its own and never fully embraces the everyday balance of reality and imagination.

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Kip Mooney

College Movie Review

Sep 17, 2021

B

A frequently inspiring little film, one thrillingly devoid of any cynicism.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 7, 2026

The Secret life of Walter Mitty which is a remake of an older Movie is still worthy of 3.5 stars.

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Diniru W

@RT57969406 Aug 28, 2026

This movie is an absolute masterpiece for anyone who loves a film by what that makes you feel. I watched this on my PC but if I were to watch this on a cinema I would love this even more. This feels like a daydream but in a great way. The story is kind of wanky but I LOVE it. Ben Still did a great job as a Director but also a Actor. Walter Mitty will not work with any other person other than Ben Stiller. (But Keanu Reeves as him would weirdly work too). In conclusion I think this is an absolute must see indeed.

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Tanu A

@TanuAnasune Aug 25, 2026

Just Start Living. This movie feels like a gentle push to stop overthinking and start experiencing life. The beautiful visuals, simple story and message about taking chances really stayed with me. It reminded me that sometimes the best moments happen when we step outside our comfort zone.

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Wendel L

@BRZRKR Aug 13, 2026

Direção: Bom Atuação: Bom Roteiro: Bom Caracterização: Ok Soundtrack: Ok ,

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Christi M

@quixotic1972 Aug 10, 2026

This is one of my favorite movies. The soundtrack is melancholic yet hopeful, like the entire film. It’s quirky abut I always feel happy when I’ve watched it.

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Colton S

@RT98326568 Aug 2, 2026

Almost no plot at all. The amount of day dreaming in this movie is insane. Ben stiller is the only good thing in this whole movie💔🥀🥀🥀

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Ben Stiller

Director

Ben Stiller

Walter Mitty

Kristen Wiig

Cheryl

Shirley MacLaine

Edna

Adam Scott

Ted Hendricks

Kathryn Hahn

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Synopsis

Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller), an employee at Life magazine, spends day after monotonous day developing photos for the publication. To escape the tedium, Walter inhabits a world of exciting daydreams in which he is the undeniable hero. Walter fancies a fellow employee named Cheryl (Kristen Wiig) and would love to date her, but he feels unworthy. However, he gets a chance to have a real adventure when Life's new owners send him on a mission to obtain the perfect photo for the final print issue.

Director: Ben Stiller
Producer: Samuel Goldwyn Jr., John Goldwyn, Stuart Cornfeld, Ben Stiller
Screenwriter: Steve Conrad
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Red Hour Productions, Samuel Goldwyn Films
Rating: PG (Language|Action/Violence|Some Crude Comments)
Genre: Comedy, Adventure, Fantasy, Action, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 2013, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 30, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $58.2M
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: Datasat, Dolby

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