Always

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Always

PG,

1989,

2h 2m,

Fantasy/

Romance

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Watchlist

Watchlist

72%

29 Reviews

Tomatometer

58%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

72%

Tomatometer

29 Reviews

58%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Aerial firefighter Pete (Richard Dreyfuss) risks himself and his vintage World War II airplane in a constant and death-defying quest to fight forest wildfires, much to the dismay of his girlfriend, Dorinda (Holly Hunter). His love for Dorinda and the advice of fellow pilot Al (John Goodman) convince Pete to give up his perilous career, but he flies one last mission. Pete heroically saves Al's plane from certain destruction, but with supernatural consequences.

Critics Consensus

Its central romance takes occasional dives into excessive sentimentality, but Always otherwise flies high thanks to director Steven Spielberg's rousing feel for adventure.

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Janet Maslin

New York Times

May 20, 2003

3/5

Although Always is filled with big, sentimental moments, it lacks the intimacy to make any of this very moving.

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Rita Kempley

Washington Post

Jan 1, 2000

An unfulfilled promise, a plummeting dove.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Jan 1, 2000

2/4

The result is a curiosity: a remake that wasn't remade enough.

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Don Shanahan

Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast

Aug 12, 2026

Even lesser Spielberg carries weight for the bravery on display and the ghost story playing its haunts.

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Jack E. Wilkinson

United Press International

Jun 12, 2026

Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film is both a tender, well-crafted love story and a robust adventure.

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Jo Berry

Radio Times

Apr 4, 2024

3/5

Best pal John Goodman steals the show, and Audrey Hepburn (in her last screen role) gives him a run for his money as an angelic guide, while both Hunter and Dreyfuss just manage to stave off the syrup to produce a romantic tale of everlasting love.

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Oct 25, 2018

One of my favorites! So romantic but lots of comedy.

Leia R

Sep 4, 2018

This movie didn't really offer up anything new for this particular genre, and it has been done better, but it still has the occasional moment of Spielberg magic.

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Hermione W

Jul 18, 2018

Sappy, sweet, funny, old-fashioned ... why are these considered bad words? ALWAYS was a moving, entertaining film when it was released, and is still good on BD. For me, this was Spielberg returning to his sentimental roots that he displayed in THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS. Worth seeing.

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Han W

Mar 2, 2018

https://letterboxd.com/edmundpoliks/film/always/

Theodore W

Aug 6, 2017

Rare ho-hum offering from Spielberg. Fire-fighting pilot dies in accident but his spirit helps his girlfriend and his replacement. Does pick up at the end.

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Poe R

May 15, 2017

"Ohh this is good, I was rusty on panic" Is a line I enjoy a bit more then I should. This movie is my favorite movie for personal reasons, but is not the best movie by a mile. It is though one of the best movies ever, until about 45 minutes in, then the prior plot you find out is a subplot and it changes tones quick. But, I still love this movie!

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Steven Spielberg

Director

Richard Dreyfuss

Pete Sandich

Holly Hunter

Dorinda Durston

Brad Johnson

Ted Baker

John Goodman

Al Yackey

Audrey Hepburn

Hap

Always: Official Clip - "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" Dance

4:30

Now Playing

Always: Official Clip - Romantic Ghost Dance

1:54

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Always: Official Clip - You Got Something On Your Face

2:37

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Always: Official Clip - The Airplane's Out of Gas!

2:47

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Always: Official Clip - HILARIOUS Fire Retardant Scene

2:39

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Always: Official Clip - Airplane Rescue-- And Explosion!

3:25

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Always: Official Clip - Audrey Hepburn Is an Angel In Her Last Role

1:47

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Always: Official Clip - Stealing A Fire Rescue Plane

5:09

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Always: Official Clip - Saved By Her Ghostly Boyfriend

2:49

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Always: Official Clip - Cuckold After Death

2:28

Now Playing

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Synopsis

Aerial firefighter Pete (Richard Dreyfuss) risks himself and his vintage World War II airplane in a constant and death-defying quest to fight forest wildfires, much to the dismay of his girlfriend, Dorinda (Holly Hunter). His love for Dorinda and the advice of fellow pilot Al (John Goodman) convince Pete to give up his perilous career, but he flies one last mission. Pete heroically saves Al's plane from certain destruction, but with supernatural consequences.

Director: Steven Spielberg
Producer: Steven Spielberg, Frank Marshall, Kathleen Kennedy
Screenwriter: Jerry Belson, Dalton Trumbo, Frederick Hazlitt Brennan
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Amblin Entertainment, United Artists, Universal Pictures, Universal/Universal Int
Rating: PG
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 22, 1989, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2015
Runtime: 2h 2m
Sound Mix: Surround

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