Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

NEUTRAL
Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, HBO Max, Apple, Disney+
Movie Reviews88%
NR
1986, Comedy, 1h 43m
RT Critics’ Score: 81% (UNBIASED)
RT Audience Score: 92%
Awards & Nominations: 2 wins & 1 nomination

 

Critics Consensus

Matthew Broderick charms in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, a light and irrepressibly fun movie about being young and having fun
 

Audience Consensus

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is a classic movie that has stood the test of time. Sure, some critics may say that it lacks originality or that the script is off-balance, but who cares? This movie is all about having fun and living life to the fullest, just like Ferris himself. Plus, it’s got some seriously iconic scenes that will make you want to jump up and dance along with the parade. So, if you’re feeling down or just need a break from the real world, pop in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and let the good times roll.
 
Movie Trailer

Movie Info

Storyline

High school student Ferris Bueller wants a day off from school and he’s developed an incredibly sophisticated plan to pull it off. He talks his friend Cameron into taking his father’s prized Ferrari and with his girlfriend Sloane head into Chicago for the day. While they are taking in what the city has to offer school principal Ed Rooney is convinced that Ferris is, not for the first time, playing hooky for the day and is hell bent to catch him out. Ferris has anticipated that, much to Rooney’s chagrin.

 
Production Company(ies)
Film4 Ingenious Film Partners Special Treats Production Company,
 
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
 
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical
 
Filming Location(s)
Ben Rose Auto Museum – 370 Beach Street, Highland Park, Illinois, USA
 
MPAA / Certificate
PG-13
 
Year of Release
1986
 

Technical Specs
  • Color:
    Color
  • Sound mix:
    Dolby
  • Aspect ratio:
    2.39 : 1
  • Runtime:
    1h 43m
  • Language(s):
    English, German
  • Country of origin:
    United States
  • Release date:
    Release Date (Theaters): Jun 11, 1986 Wide
    Release Date (Streaming): Oct 19, 1999

 
Genre(s)
Comedy
 
Keyword(s)
starring Matthew Broderick, directed by John Hughes, written by John Hughes, comedy, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Paul Attanasio, Kathleen Carroll, Patrick Goldstein, Jay Boyar, Carrie Rickey, Gene Siskel, Eddie Harrison, Wayne Broadway, Armond White, Mia Sara, Jeffrey Jones, Alan Ruck, Jennifer Grey, Edie McClurg, PG-13, Chicago, high school, principal, skipping school, day off, Ferrari, graduation, coming of age, teenage comedy, cult classic, John Hughes film, 80s film, iconic, rebellious, fun, heartwarming, light-hearted, charming, witty, clever, quotable, iconic soundtrack, fourth wall breaking, physical comedy, ridiculous situations, procrastination, imagination, friendship, adventure, romance, family-friendly, timeless, classic, must-see
 

Box Office Details

Worldwide gross: $70,720,215
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $195,943,668
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 700
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 21,367,903
 
US/Canada gross: $70,136,369
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $194,326,013
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 366
US/Canada opening weekend: $6,275,647
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $17,387,861
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 724
 
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $5,800,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $16,069,992
Production budget ranking: 1,480
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $8,653,691
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $171,219,985
ROI to date (est.): 693%
ROI ranking: 182

 
Movie Cast & Crew

Cast & Crew

Matthew BroderickAlan RuckMia SaraJennifer GreyJeffrey Jones
Matthew Broderick
Alan Ruck
Mia Sara
Jennifer Grey
Jeffrey Jones
Ferris Bueller
Cameron Frye
Sloane Peterson
Jean ‘Jeanie’ Bueller
Dean Edward ‘Ed’ R. Roony
Matthew Broderick – Ferris Bueller
Alan Ruck – Cameron Frye
Mia Sara – Sloane Peterson
Jennifer Grey – Jean ‘Jeanie’ Bueller
Jeffrey Jones – Dean Edward ‘Ed’ R. Roony
Edie McClurg – Grace, School Secretary

 

John HughesJohn HughesJohn HughesTom Jacobson
John Hughes
John Hughes
John Hughes
Tom Jacobson
Director
Writer
Producer
Producer
Producer

Director(s)
John Hughes
 
Writer(s)
John Hughes
 
Producer(s)
John Hughes, Tom Jacobson

 
Movie Reviews & Awards
Film Festivals

 
Awards & Nominations
2 wins & 1 nomination
 
Academy Awards

 

Top Reviews
Paul AttanasioKathleen CarrollPatrick GoldsteinJay BoyarCarrie Rickey
Paul Attanasio
Kathleen Carroll
Patrick Goldstein
Jay Boyar
Carrie Rickey
Washington Post
New York Daily News
Los Angeles Times
Orlando Sentinel
Philadelphia Inquirer
FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF
 All Critics (73) | Top Critics (17) | Fresh (59) | Rotten (14)
 The whole script is off-balance.
 
 January 3, 2018
 
 Paul Attanasio
 Washington Post
 TOP CRITIC
 “Ferris Bueller” has some cheerfully zany scenes, but lacks the originality and verve of Hughes’ previous telltale teen comedies.
 
 June 10, 2016 | Rating: 3.5/4
 
 Kathleen Carroll
 New York Daily News
 TOP CRITIC
 What should’ve been a joyful romp turns into a stale, sour-edged celebration of the New Conformist, an affluent, technology-addled cherub without a rebellious whim in his brain.
 
 April 23, 2014
 
 Patrick Goldstein
 Los Angeles Times
 TOP CRITIC
 It is most curious that Hughes, who is obviously clever and talented, has failed to develop the intriguing situation he has set in motion.
 
 April 23, 2014
 
 Jay Boyar
 Orlando Sentinel
 TOP CRITIC
 [While Risky Business] suggested that money isn’t everything, Ferris Bueller insists just the opposite.
 
 April 23, 2014 | Rating: 2/4
 
 Carrie Rickey
 Philadelphia Inquirer
 TOP CRITIC
 A film that doesn’t seem to know what it’s about until the end.
 
 January 16, 2013 | Rating: 2/4
 
 Gene Siskel
 Chicago Tribune
 TOP CRITIC
 Ferris Buellers Day Off still works like a cure to stave the blues away
 
 March 20, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
 
 Eddie Harrison
 film-authority.com
 ‘Ferris Buellers Day Off’ celebrates life, even when that celebration can feel hedonistic and egotistic.
 
 March 1, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
 
 Wayne Broadway
 Black Girl Nerds
 Writer-director John Hughes bypassed teen angst by creating happy-go-lucky Ferris Bueller, wise beyond his years with the realization that life and learning involve more than school.
 
 August 11, 2021
 
 Robin Holabird
 Robin Holabird
 The most compelling of all John Hughes movies. It’s the one that cuts through the typical adolescent sentimentality in his popular Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club to reveal a truth about American cultural values.
 
 August 4, 2021
 
 Armond White
 National Review
 Thirty-five years later, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off remains a treat and quite the Chicago love letter.
 
 June 14, 2021
 
 Danielle Solzman
 Solzy at the Movies
 The picture is ultimately too surface-skimming and scattershot to have such delusions of greatness thrust upon it.
 
 February 26, 2021 | Rating: 2.5/4
 
 Matt Brunson
 Film Frenzy…

 
Movie Plot & More
Plot
High school student Ferris Bueller wants a day off from school and he’s developed an incredibly sophisticated plan to pull it off. He talks his friend Cameron into taking his father’s prized Ferrari and with his girlfriend Sloane head into Chicago for the day. While they are taking in what the city has to offer school principal Ed Rooney is convinced that Ferris is, not for the first time, playing hooky for the day and is hell bent to catch him out. Ferris has anticipated that, much to Rooney’s chagrin.
 
Trivia

 
Goofs / Tidbits
No goofy or funny or odd comments were found in the Fresh Kernels database for Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
 
Movie Links Wikipedia and Rotten Tomatoes

Links
Wikipedia: Go to Wiki
Rotten Tomatoes: Go to RT

 
Where to Watch

 
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