Phenomenon

Play trailer

Phenomenon

PG,

1996,

2h 4m,

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

49%

37 Reviews

Tomatometer

59%

100,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

49%

Tomatometer

37 Reviews

59%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

On his birthday, mechanic George Malley (John Travolta) sees a flash of light and proceeds to exhibit extraordinary mental abilities. He becomes a genius, even showing an ability to move objects with his mind. George wishes to help people, but the government wants to take him in for observation. Soon, George finds out from Dr. Brunder (Robert Duvall) that he has a massive brain tumor. With this new knowledge, George decides to spend his time with girlfriend Lace (Kyra Sedgwick).

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Jun 14, 2022

Moribund, dopey stuff.

Go to Full Review

Carol Buckland

CNN.com

Jan 5, 2018

Travolta is terrific! And in a movie season dominated by brainless action flicks and big explosions, Phenomenon is something magically different.

Go to Full Review

Anne Billson

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Nov 22, 2017

This so-so Capra-esque fable with undertones of L. Ron Hubbard takes a turn for the worse after the first hour.

Go to Full Review

Robert Denerstein

Scripps Howard News Service

Jun 29, 2026

2.5/4

John Travolta proves appealing... [But Phenomenon] can't resist biting off a pretty big slice of baloney in order to offer up its own fuzzy brand of spirituality.

Go to Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 8, 2025

2/4

For a movie that's ostensibly about intelligence, Phenomenon proves to be rather simple-minded.

Go to Full Review

Charles Cassady

Common Sense Media

Dec 15, 2010

3/5

Gentle tearjerker about sudden mental superpowers.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Poe W

Dec 28, 2018

This movie has a warm space in my heart because of its original story, wonderful acting and overall authenticity. ??

Hagrid S

Aug 14, 2018

This movie basically has no plot. Imagine the film Lucy, but instead of kicking ass on screen by using more than 10% of her brain. She chooses to read books and move pencils

See more

George R

Jun 13, 2018

I felt the film was very underwhelming with the performances by the actors. The story is very well told, and the cinematography is quite well done. However, the actors didn't make it at all exciting. Very long, drawn out film, and was not worth the praise it was given. John Travolta, especially was a huge let down in this role with how soft he spoke in every scene. Forest Whitaker deserved better.

See more

Hermione S

Nov 1, 2017

I really enjoy watching this film. The first three quarters are really intriguing and interesting, but the ending is a bit disappointing but still watchable. John Travolta is great as George Malley

See more

Han R

Oct 9, 2017

A solid movie that can shed a tear and is patient enough to let you care about the main character and understand what the he is going through.

See more

Sep 3, 2017

Wonderful heartfelt movie. Some scenes are a bit cheesey but all over it's a nice love story and an an experiment of how good people can be.

See more

Read all reviews

Jon Turteltaub

Director

John Travolta

George Malley

Kyra Sedgwick

Lace Pennamin

Forest Whitaker

Nate Pope

Jeffrey DeMunn

Prof. John Ringold, Seismologist

Robert Duvall

Doc Brunder

Michael

37%

45%

Michael

Watchlist

The Brady Bunch Movie

63%

47%

The Brady Bunch Movie

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Brady Bunch Movie

Hot Shots!

83%

65%

Hot Shots!

Watchlist

Three Men and a Little Lady

40%

43%

Three Men and a Little Lady

Watchlist

Crocodile Dundee

87%

59%

Crocodile Dundee

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Crocodile Dundee

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

On his birthday, mechanic George Malley (John Travolta) sees a flash of light and proceeds to exhibit extraordinary mental abilities. He becomes a genius, even showing an ability to move objects with his mind. George wishes to help people, but the government wants to take him in for observation. Soon, George finds out from Dr. Brunder (Robert Duvall) that he has a massive brain tumor. With this new knowledge, George decides to spend his time with girlfriend Lace (Kyra Sedgwick).

Director: Jon Turteltaub
Producer: Michael Taylor, Barbara Boyle
Screenwriter: Gerald Di Pego
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Touchstone Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 3, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $104.6M
Runtime: 2h 4m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings