The Big Chill

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2:13

The Big Chill

R,

1983,

1h 43m,

Comedy/

Drama

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The Big Chill: Trailer 1

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The Big Chill: Official Clip - Boredom Ruined My Marriage

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The Big Chill: Official Clip - You Want Me To Do What?

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The Big Chill: Official Clip - Bat in the Attic

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The Big Chill: Official Clip - We're All Alone Out There

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The Big Chill: Official Clip - Interviewing Himself

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The Big Chill: Official Clip - Dancing in the Kitchen

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The Big Chill: Official Clip - Dinner With Old Friends

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The Big Chill: Official Clip - Funeral Procession

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The Big Chill: Official Clip - Late Night Snack

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The Big Chill: Official Clip - The Car Jump

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Watchlist

68%

41 Reviews

Tomatometer

77%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

68%

Tomatometer

41 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

This compassionate "comedy of values" probes the growing pains of seven college housemates from the 1960s who have drifted apart and then reunite at the funeral of a friend. Having entered adulthood as non-conformists, most now belong to the establishment. Harold (Kevin Kline) has "grown up" to be a running-shoe magnate; Michael (Jeff Goldblum), a gossip magazine journalist; Sam (Tom Berenger), TV's hottest private eye; and Nick (William Hurt), a drug dealer. Among the women, Sarah (Glenn Close) is a doctor; Meg (Mary Kay Place), a lawyer; and Karen (JoBeth Williams), a wife and mother in the suburbs. Stunned by the death of their peer, sensing their own mortality and the loss of their innocence, each takes the opportunity to reevaluate his or her life and re-establish their bond.

Critics Consensus

The Big Chill captures a generation's growing ennui with a terrific cast, a handful of perceptive insights, and one of the decade's best film soundtracks.

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Arthur Knight

The Hollywood Reporter

Jan 29, 2019

What might have been a meaningful exploration of the changes wrought by 20 years of abrasive reality is diverted, essentially, into who's going to wind up sleeping with whom.

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Keith Phipps

The Dissolve

Jul 28, 2014

3.5/5

...even though it's aware of their narcissism, The Big Chill still views its characters sympathetically, even when they do little to invite much sympathy themselves.

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Variety Staff

Variety

May 5, 2008

Characters are generally middle-of-the-roaders, and pic lacks a tough-minded spokesman who might bring them all up short for a moment.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Mar 22, 2026

4/4

As universal in its ambitions and appeal as it is specific in its characterizations and timeframe.

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Quentin Crisp

Christopher Street

May 7, 2024

The film is as disappointing as being alive, but I must hastily add that it is very carefully prepared for the screen; at all times, it looks natural and the acting is superb.

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Jennifer O’Callaghan

PopMatters

Oct 5, 2022

The Big Chill‘s blunt suggestion that one may not have lived up to their younger self’s dreams or morals hits a universal nerve to this day.

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Anakin G

Mar 29, 2019

Mortality serves as the catalyst and overwhelming drive for a group of former college buddies to reunite, reminisce, and reevaluate what they have and may become in light of the death of one of their own. Fraught with meaningful performances and challenging vignettes, even if they do not mirror your own life, this becomes a group you recognize by tale's end.

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Jan 27, 2019

The best, GREATEST movie ever made! With the best movie song ever sung: Ain't Too Proud to Beg!

Finn W

Nov 6, 2018

This film was solid.

Ron S

Nov 2, 2018

Brilliant movie about friendship with a well chosen soundtrack of 60s songs!

Jul 11, 2018

best movie ever ( if you have a real world clue)

Mar 27, 2018

One of the best movies of the 80s

Read all reviews

Lawrence Kasdan

Director

William Hurt

Nick

Glenn Close

Sarah

Kevin Kline

Harold

Tom Berenger

Sam

Jeff Goldblum

Michael

The Big Chill: Official Clip - Boredom Ruined My Marriage

2:06

Now Playing

The Big Chill: Official Clip - You Want Me To Do What?

2:16

Now Playing

The Big Chill: Official Clip - Bat in the Attic

2:47

Now Playing

The Big Chill: Official Clip - We're All Alone Out There

2:46

Now Playing

The Big Chill: Official Clip - Interviewing Himself

1:32

Now Playing

The Big Chill: Official Clip - Dancing in the Kitchen

1:38

Now Playing

The Big Chill: Official Clip - Dinner With Old Friends

2:39

Now Playing

The Big Chill: Official Clip - Funeral Procession

2:18

Now Playing

The Big Chill: Official Clip - Late Night Snack

2:34

Now Playing

The Big Chill: Official Clip - The Car Jump

2:31

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The Big Chill: Trailer 1

2:13

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Synopsis

This compassionate "comedy of values" probes the growing pains of seven college housemates from the 1960s who have drifted apart and then reunite at the funeral of a friend. Having entered adulthood as non-conformists, most now belong to the establishment. Harold (Kevin Kline) has "grown up" to be a running-shoe magnate; Michael (Jeff Goldblum), a gossip magazine journalist; Sam (Tom Berenger), TV's hottest private eye; and Nick (William Hurt), a drug dealer. Among the women, Sarah (Glenn Close) is a doctor; Meg (Mary Kay Place), a lawyer; and Karen (JoBeth Williams), a wife and mother in the suburbs. Stunned by the death of their peer, sensing their own mortality and the loss of their innocence, each takes the opportunity to reevaluate his or her life and re-establish their bond.

Director: Lawrence Kasdan
Producer: Michael Shamberg
Screenwriter: Lawrence Kasdan, Barbara Benedek
Distributor: RCA/Columbia, Columbia Pictures, Criterion Collection
Production Co: Carson Productions, Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 9, 1983, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $57.0K
Runtime: 1h 43m
Sound Mix: Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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