Booksmart (2019)
87%RT Audience Score: 77%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
29 wins & 61 nominations total
Fast-paced, funny, and fresh, Booksmart does the seemingly impossible by adding a smart new spin to the coming-of-age comedy
Booksmart is the ultimate teen comedy that will make you laugh, cry, and reminisce about your own high school days. Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut is a masterpiece that perfectly captures the essence of teenage life. The film is raunchy, witty, and heartwarming all at the same time. The chemistry between the two leads is electric, and their performances are nothing short of brilliant. Booksmart is a must-watch for anyone who has ever been a teenager, and a reminder that labels are just that – labels. So, grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the ride.
Production Company(ies)
Lama Films, United King Films, Rabinovich Film Fund, Cinema Project
Distributor
Annapurna Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
Los Angeles, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for strong sexual content and language throughout, drug use and drinking – all involving teens
Year of Release
2019
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
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Runtime:1h 42m
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Language(s):English, Mandarin, Spanish
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): May 24, 2019 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 20, 2019
Genre(s)
Comedy/Lgbtq+
Keyword(s)
starring Kaitlyn Dever, Beanie Feldstein, Jessica Williams, Jason Sudeikis, Lisa Kudrow, Will Forte, directed by Olivia Wilde, written by Katie Silberman, Emily Halpern, Sarah Haskins, Susanna Fogel, comedy, LGBTQ+, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Aline Dolinh, Rachel Vorona Cote, Kevin Maher, Robert Daniels, Christy Lemire, Wenlei Ma, Brian Eggert, David Gonzalez, Matt Neal, Lonita Cook, Nicholas Oon, produced by Megan Ellison, Jessica Elbaum, Katie Silberman, Chelsea Barnard, David Distenfeld, R rating, high school, graduation, coming-of-age, friendship, party, first sexual encounter, academic overachievers, missed opportunities, chaotic adventure, book smarts, special moments, teenage years, determined, cramming, fun, fast-paced, funny, fresh, smart new spin
Worldwide gross: $24,959,607
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $28,839,691
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,557
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 3,145,004
US/Canada gross: $22,680,962
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $26,206,821
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,319
US/Canada opening weekend: $6,933,620
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $8,011,483
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,013
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $6,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $6,932,727
Production budget ranking: 1,807
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $3,733,274
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $18,173,690
ROI to date (est.): 170%
ROI ranking: 712
Beanie Feldstein – Molly
Jessica Williams – Miss Fine
Jason Sudeikis – Principal Brown
Lisa Kudrow – Charmaine
Will Forte – Doug
Megan Ellison – Producer
Jessica Elbaum – Producer
Katie Silberman – Producer, Writer
Chelsea Barnard – Producer
David Distenfeld – Producer
Olivia Wilde – Director
Katie Silberman – Writer
Emily Halpern – Writer
Sarah Haskins – Writer
Susanna Fogel – Writer
Director(s)
Olivia Wilde
Writer(s)
Katie Silberman, Emily Halpern, Sarah Haskins, Susanna Fogel
Producer(s)
Megan Ellison, Jessica Elbaum, Katie Silberman, Chelsea Barnard, David Distenfeld
Film Festivals
South by Southwest
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
29 wins & 61 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (380) | Top Critics (85) | Fresh (366) | Rotten (14)
Though it really shouldn’t be at this point in time, it’s exhilarating to see a film centered on teenage girls… Yet to champion the film as a universal reflection of teenage girldom rather than a highly specific fantasy also does it a disservice.
March 13, 2021
Aline Dolinh
Bitch Media
TOP CRITIC
With elegant clarity, Booksmart demonstrates how certain experiences can feel colossal and of walloping import even when we know we’re waiting for something else-something we can’t possibly fathom.
March 12, 2021
Rachel Vorona Cote
Bitch Media
TOP CRITIC
…witty, raucous, perfectly played and eventually packs an emotional wallop.
December 16, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Kevin Maher
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Booksmart is a loving and endearing piece of filmmaking – wickedly funny and adventurous – and a jaw dropping directorial debut from Wilde.
December 16, 2019 | Rating: 3.5/4
Robert Daniels
812filmreviews
TOP CRITIC
It’s raunchy and kind of gross at times, but there is such heart, sweetness, and honesty about high school.
September 30, 2019
Christy Lemire
FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)
TOP CRITIC
It sounds like such a cliche but you will literally laugh and cry, and flash back to your own teenage days with fondness, not horror.
August 6, 2019 | Rating: 4.5/5
Wenlei Ma
News.com.au
TOP CRITIC
Although Booksmart doesn’t break new ground or redefine the genre of teen comedies, its treatment of the material resonates enough that Generation Z will undoubtedly cling to the movie for years to come.
March 3, 2022 | Rating: 3/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
Along with great directorial choices, the films two great performances provide tons of chemistry and a lot of laughs and should be the start of cinephiles gaining anticipation for any film directed by Olivia Wilde.
February 18, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/4
David Gonzalez
Reel Talk Inc.
Wilde’s taken a classic coming-of-age chassis, updated it, chucked on a few mod-cons, and given it a very fresh paint job, and the resulting ride is fast and fun.
February 1, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Matt Neal
ABC Radio (Australia)
It’s a lot more meaty and soulful than you’d anticipate.
September 29, 2021
Lonita Cook
KCTV5 News at 9
While being an excellent example of the power of friendship, Booksmart is also a warning to viewers that labels are dangerous.
September 5, 2021
Nicholas Oon
Maximum Hype (YouTube)
There’s something innately hilarious about watching the “good kids” losing themselves in bad behaviour.
September 1, 2021 | Rating: 5/5
Ben Turner
The Pink Lens…
Plot
On the eve of their high-school graduation, two academic superstars and best friends realize they should have worked less and played more. Determined not to fall short of their peers, the girls try to cram four years of fun into one night.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
No goofy or funny or odd comments were found in the Fresh Kernels database for Booksmart.
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