Mr. Holland's Opus

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Mr. Holland's Opus

PG,

1996,

2h 22m,

Drama/

Music

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76%

29 Reviews

Tomatometer

84%

50,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

29 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Composer Glenn Holland (Richard Dreyfuss) believes that he'll eventually write a transcendent piece of music, but in the meantime he's taken a job at an Oregon high school. Though at first the job frustrates him, and his unconventional methods often draw the ire of the straight-laced vice principal (W.H. Macy), Mr. Holland grows to love his students as the temporary position stretches into a decades-long career -- and in the end, they reveal just how much they love him back.

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Critics Consensus

A feel-good story brought to life by a terrific ensemble cast, Mr. Holland's Opus plucks the heartstrings without shame -- and with undeniable skill.

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Emanuel Levy

Variety

Jan 29, 2007

B-

This idealized tribute to a charismatic teacher who devotes himself to music appreciation has the same old-fashioned texture and sticky sentimentality as Goodbye Mr. Chips (of 1939), but Dreyfuss gives an effective, surprisingly restrained performance

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Mike Clark

USA Today

Jan 1, 2000

2.5/4

An overwrought Disney weeper.

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John Stark

Mac the Movie Guy

Jun 29, 2026

99/100

All these years later and time never fails Mr Holland’s Opus, a film I can rewatch anytime anywhere. Richard Dreyfuss is exceptional in what might have been his last truly great performance.

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Don Shanahan

Film Obsessive

Dec 22, 2024

4/5

Every teacher in America dreams of a sunset moment like that of Glenn Holland. So few ever get or earn it.

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Malcolm L. Johnson

Hartford Courant

May 30, 2018

Though Patrick Sheane Duncan's screenplay goes in various directions and never develops a cohesive narrative, Herek keeps the story rolling along.

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Rob Thomas

Capital Times (Madison, WI)

Apr 21, 2006

3/5

Holland may have been a failed composer, but he's a master at playing the heartstrings.

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Feb 2, 2019

The best inspiring movie ever made!

Kylo P

Nov 29, 2018

very nice family movie

Jun 25, 2018

Mr. Holland's Opus tells a beautiful and heartfelt story while not losing track of its main cast acting spectacularly.

Leia S

Jun 20, 2018

For a movie made in the 1900s, it is exceptional and very emotional

Poe R

Dec 31, 2017

One of my favorite movies of all time. Hits me in the feels everytime.

Hermione W

May 30, 2014

A personal favorite. Yes it can be schmaltzy and is a bit too long but it is still a wonderful film about the sacrifices teachers make to help their students in need and for Mr. Holland in particular, what his purpose in life really is.

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Stephen Herek

Director

Richard Dreyfuss

Glenn Holland

Glenne Headly

Iris Holland

Jay Thomas

Bill Meister

Olympia Dukakis

Principal Helen Jacobs

William H. Macy

Vice Principal Gene Wolters

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Synopsis

Composer Glenn Holland (Richard Dreyfuss) believes that he'll eventually write a transcendent piece of music, but in the meantime he's taken a job at an Oregon high school. Though at first the job frustrates him, and his unconventional methods often draw the ire of the straight-laced vice principal (W.H. Macy), Mr. Holland grows to love his students as the temporary position stretches into a decades-long career -- and in the end, they reveal just how much they love him back.

Director: Stephen Herek
Producer: Ted Field, Michael Nolin, Robert W. Cort
Screenwriter: Patrick Sheane Duncan
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Hollywood Pictures, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Interscope Communications
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 19, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $82.6M
Runtime: 2h 22m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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