The Mighty (1998)

NEUTRAL

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82%

1998, Drama, 1h 40m

RT Critics’ Score: 75% (UNBIASED)
RT Audience Score: 79%
Awards & Nominations: 2 nominations

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Critics Consensus

Spirited and sweet with an emphasis on the healing power of friendship, The Mighty is a modest charmer that comes by its whimsy honestly

Audience Consensus

The Mighty” is a movie about two middle schoolers who become friends and go on adventures together. Critics seem to be split on whether it’s a good movie or not, but I thought it was pretty cool. It’s all about using your imagination and being a good friend, which are both things I can get behind. Plus, Culkin shines in it, so that’s a bonus. Overall, I’d say it’s worth a watch if you’re in the mood for a heartwarming story.

Storyline

Gordon Bombay, a hotshot lawyer, is haunted by memories of his childhood, when, as the star player in his champion hockey team, he lost the winning goal in a shootout, thereby losing the game, and the approval of his coach. After being charged for drunk driving, the court orders him to coach a peewee hockey team, the worst in the league, Gordon is at first very reluctant. However, he eventually gains the respect of the kids and teaches them how to win, gaining a sponsor on the way and giving the team the name of The Ducks. In the finals, they face Gordon’s old team, coached by Gordon’s old coach, giving Gordon a chance to face old ghosts.

Production Company(ies)
Beimo Films, Persistence of Vision Films,

Distributor
Miramax Films

Release Type
Theatrical

Filming Location(s)
Peavey Park, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG for mild language

Year of Release
1992

Technical Specs

Color:

Color
Sound mix:

Dolby Digital
Aspect ratio:

1.85 : 1
Runtime:

1h 40m
Language(s):

English
Country of origin:

United States
Release date:

Release Date (Theaters): Jun 2, 1998 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 26, 2005

Genre(s)
Drama

Keyword(s)
starring Sharon Stone, Elden Henson, Kieran Culkin, Gena Rowlands, Harry Dean Stanton, Gillian Anderson, Joe Perrino, directed by Peter Chelsom, written by Rodman Philbrick, Charles Leavitt, drama, PG-13, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Roger Ebert, San Francisco Chronicle, ReelViews, Detroit News, Chicago Sun-Times, Miramax Films, produced by Jane Startz, Simon Fields, Morquio’s syndrome, dyslexia, social alienation, absent fathers, gang member, friendship, healing power, imagination, King Arthur, quest, dragons, damsels in distress, kingdom, nobility, leg braces, smarts, courage, outcasts, Frankenstein and Igor, whimsy

Box Office Details

Worldwide gross: $50,752,337
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $108,636,674
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 973
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 11,846,966

US/Canada gross: $50,752,337
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $108,636,674
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 694
US/Canada opening weekend: $6,035,133
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $12,918,356
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 864

Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $10,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $21,405,256
Production budget ranking: 1,337
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $11,526,730
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $75,704,689
ROI to date (est.): 230%
ROI ranking: 572

Cast & Crew

Sharon Stone

Gwen Dillon

Elden Henson

Maxwell ‘Max’ Kane

Narrator

Gwen Dillon

Maxwell ‘Max’ Kane

Narrator

Kevin ‘Freak’ Dillon

Susan ‘Gram’ Pinneman

Sharon Stone – Gwen Dillon
Elden Henson – Maxwell ‘Max’ Kane, Narrator
Kieran Culkin – Kevin ‘Freak’ Dillon
Gena Rowlands – Susan ‘Gram’ Pinneman
Harry Dean Stanton – Elton ‘Grim’ Pinneman
Gillian Anderson – Loretta Lee

Peter Chelsom

Rodman Philbrick

Jane Startz

Simon Fields

Director

Writer

Producer

Director(s)
Peter Chelsom

Writer(s)
Rodman Philbrick, Charles Leavitt

Producer(s)
Jane Startz, Simon Fields

Film Festivals

Awards & Nominations
2 nominations

Academy Awards

Top Reviews

Nell Minow

Steven D. Greydanus

Susan Stark

Roger Ebert

Ruthe Stein

Common Sense Media

Decent Films

Detroit News

Chicago Sun-Times

San Francisco Chronicle

THE MIGHTY
All Critics (40) | Top Critics (11) | Fresh (30) | Rotten (10)
Good movie about friendship for middle schoolers.

December 28, 2010 | Rating: 4/5

Nell Minow
Common Sense Media
TOP CRITIC
October 29, 2008 | Rating: A-

Steven D. Greydanus
Decent Films
TOP CRITIC
January 1, 2000 | Rating: 3/4

Susan Stark
Detroit News
TOP CRITIC
What I liked most about the movie is the way it shows that imagination can be a weapon in life.

January 1, 2000 | Rating: 3/4

Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
TOP CRITIC
January 1, 2000 | Rating: 3/4

Ruthe Stein
San Francisco Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
January 1, 2000 | Rating: 3.5/4

James Berardinelli
ReelViews
TOP CRITIC
August 18, 2004 | Rating: 2/5

Mark Sells
Oregon Herald
June 16, 2004 | Rating: 7/10

Dragan Antulov
rec.arts.movies.reviews
February 8, 2004 | Rating: 3/5

Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
August 22, 2003 | Rating: 1/5

Carol Cling
Las Vegas Review-Journal
Touching and ultimately rewarding..Culkin shines

April 27, 2003 | Rating: 3/5

Caffeinated Clint
Moviehole
April 25, 2003 | Rating: 2/5

Christopher Smith
Bangor Daily News (Maine)…

Plot
Gordon Bombay, a hotshot lawyer, is haunted by memories of his childhood, when, as the star player in his champion hockey team, he lost the winning goal in a shootout, thereby losing the game, and the approval of his coach. After being charged for drunk driving, the court orders him to coach a peewee hockey team, the worst in the league, Gordon is at first very reluctant. However, he eventually gains the respect of the kids and teaches them how to win, gaining a sponsor on the way and giving the team the name of The Ducks. In the finals, they face Gordon’s old team, coached by Gordon’s old coach, giving Gordon a chance to face old ghosts.

Trivia