The Sure Thing

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The Sure Thing

PG-13,

1985,

1h 34m,

Romance/

Comedy

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Watchlist

81%

113 Reviews

Tomatometer

79%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

113 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Gib, a college freshman, keeps striking out with women. When he learns that a beautiful Californian wants to have a tryst with him, he decides to carpool all the way to the West Coast to meet her. Unfortunately, one of the other passengers on the trip is Alison, an attractive but domineering girl who has rejected Gib once before. The journey is a nightmare until a funny thing happens — Gib and Alison start to fall in love.

Critics Consensus

Though its final outcome is predictable, The Sure Thing is a charming, smartly written, and mature teen comedy featuring a breakout role for John Cusack.

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Bob Lundegaard

Minneapolis Star Tribune

Jul 29, 2026

It isn't a bad movie exactly, but if you called it a laugh riot, a good lawyer would have you at his mercy.

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Jack Mathews

USA Today

Jan 8, 2026

3/4

Cusack and Zuniga do remarkable jobs of turning two routine characters into believable, well-rounded teens.

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Rob Salem

Toronto Star

Jan 8, 2026

It's often very wordy, especially Cusack's speeches, but even when there's too much of it, the dialogue is sharp and funny.

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Lee Tuohy

Sunday Independent (Ireland)

Jul 29, 2026

Cusack's extrovert antics might have been cushioned but for his inept co-star who pouted her way throughout. A pit, it could have been a very funny film.

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Michael Walsh

The Province (Vancouver)

Jul 29, 2026

Warm as well as funny, The Sure Thing is a cheerful, unexpected love story.

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Marsha Fottler

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Jul 29, 2026

"The Sure Thing" is a road romance-comedy made special by the fresh faces, the young talent and some first-rate writing.

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Finn R

Jun 7, 2018

A It Happened One Night for the 80's generation. It still holds up in many regards, and John Cusack shows here just the extent of his leading man magnetism. He's endlessly watchable.

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Rey S

Apr 29, 2017

A loveable "romantic" hilarious film which teens could even understand.

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Rob Reiner

Director

John Cusack

Walter 'Gib' Gibson

Daphne Zuniga

Alison Bradbury

Nicollette Sheridan

The Sure Thing

Anthony Edwards

Lance

Boyd Gaines

Jason

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Synopsis

Gib, a college freshman, keeps striking out with women. When he learns that a beautiful Californian wants to have a tryst with him, he decides to carpool all the way to the West Coast to meet her. Unfortunately, one of the other passengers on the trip is Alison, an attractive but domineering girl who has rejected Gib once before. The journey is a nightmare until a funny thing happens — Gib and Alison start to fall in love.

Director: Rob Reiner
Producer: Roger Birnbaum
Screenwriter: Steve Bloom, Jonathan Roberts
Production Co: Embassy Pictures, Monument Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Aug 5, 2003
Runtime: 1h 34m

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