On Golden Pond

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On Golden Pond

PG,

1982,

1h 49m,

Comedy/

Drama

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Watchlist

91%

46 Reviews

Tomatometer

87%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

46 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Cantankerous retiree Norman Thayer (Henry Fonda) and his conciliatory wife, Ethel (Katharine Hepburn), spend summers at their New England vacation home on the shores of idyllic Golden Pond. This year, their adult daughter, Chelsea (Jane Fonda), visits with her new fiancée and his teenage son, Billy (Doug McKeon) on their way to Europe. After leaving Billy behind to bond with Norman, Chelsea returns, attempting to repair the long-strained relationship with her aging father before it's too late.

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Critics Consensus

Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn are a wondrous duo in On Golden Pond, a wistful drama that movingly explores the twilight years of a loving marriage.

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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

Sep 18, 2023

This isn’t material for actors, no matter what their age. It’s material for milking tears from an audience.

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Ian Nathan

Empire Magazine

Aug 18, 2021

4/5

Definitely soppy in places but also genuinely moving.

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Ed Potton

The Times (UK)

Aug 18, 2021

5/5

Adapted by Ernest Thompson from his 1979 play of the same name, Mark Rydell's classy weepie follows an elderly couple holidaying in their idyllic lakeside house in New England.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Jan 21, 2026

3/4

Henry Fonda delivers a marvelous, career-capping performance in this modest seriocomedy that proved to be a commercial smash (it was second only to Raiders of the Lost Ark as the highest grossing film of 1981).

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Richard Freedman

Newark Star-Ledger

Jan 5, 2026

''On Golden Pond'' remains a slickly sentimental Broadway confection.

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Sean Burns

Crooked Marquee

May 25, 2025

It’s twilight not just for the Thayers, but for an entire era of Hollywood.

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Ron G

Jan 18, 2019

Very funny, and i'm very glad no one dies, putting this movie into my top 10 most favorite movies ever. Suck-face was the funniest line.

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Anakin R

Nov 20, 2018

Beautiful moving drama with screen legends Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn putting in magical performances.

Finn W

Jun 1, 2018

At first I was thinking this was going to be a boring movie about a bitter old couple on their retirement getaway, but it ended up being one of those sentimental family type movies. It sure has a lot of fishing scenes, so those parts tended to be a bit on the snoozy side, but overall it's not a total snorefest. No idea that Jane Fonda was such a MILF back in the day, whew...

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Abraham M

Feb 15, 2018

With its star-studded cast, beautiful scenery, and heartfelt family moments, the classic film "On Golden Pond" is a must see for audiences of all ages. Iconic American actors Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn show us what true love really means; accepting your partner's flaws and learning to love their quirks and idiosyncrasies. The other keystone relationship in the movie is that of Chelsea (Jane Fonda) and Norman. The portrayal of their complicated father-daughter relationship perfectly encapsulates the difficulties of cultivating a strong relationship between a parent and child, and the process of letting go of the past and moving forward in a healthy way. Aside from the incredible cast and heartwarming story, the setting alone is reason enough to enjoy this film. Golden Pond is the perfect, serene get away, evoking envy in every audience member. This movie is a classic that must not be forgotten over time. Young or old, everyone can find their escape "On Golden Pond."

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Finn S

Feb 9, 2018

A liberal confectionary, that accepts divorce, premarital sex, and profanity with a sweet charm, is still a very human one with the drama centering on the human condition of the main characters and two great performances from Katharine Hepburn and Henry Fonda.

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Rey R

Aug 24, 2017

Dabney Coleman's finest work since he tried to jam that dude in Tootsie.

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Mark Rydell

Director

Katharine Hepburn

Ethel Thayer

Henry Fonda

Norman Thayer Jr.

Jane Fonda

Chelsea Thayer Wayne

Doug McKeon

Billy Ray

Dabney Coleman

Bill Ray

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Synopsis

Cantankerous retiree Norman Thayer (Henry Fonda) and his conciliatory wife, Ethel (Katharine Hepburn), spend summers at their New England vacation home on the shores of idyllic Golden Pond. This year, their adult daughter, Chelsea (Jane Fonda), visits with her new fiancée and his teenage son, Billy (Doug McKeon) on their way to Europe. After leaving Billy behind to bond with Norman, Chelsea returns, attempting to repair the long-strained relationship with her aging father before it's too late.

Director: Mark Rydell
Producer: Bruce Gilbert
Screenwriter: Ernest Thompson
Distributor: Artisan Entertainment, Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 22, 1982, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 19, 2016
Runtime: 1h 49m

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