Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
89%RT Audience Score: 89%
Awards & Nominations: Won 5 Oscars
39 wins & 25 nominations total
The divorce subject isn’t as shocking, but the film is still a thoughtful, well-acted drama that resists the urge to take sides or give easy answers
Kramer vs. Kramer is like a rollercoaster ride of emotions, but instead of screaming, you’ll be crying. This movie is a tear-jerker that will make you feel all the feels. The performances are top-notch, and the story is heart-wrenching. It’s a classic for a reason, and if you haven’t seen it yet, grab a box of tissues and get ready for a wild ride.
Production Company(ies)
Highline Pictures, Camera One Endless Picnic
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Tweed Courthouse – 52 Chambers Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
MPAA / Certificate
PG
Year of Release
1979
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Mono
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 44m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Dec 19, 1979 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 28, 2001
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
Worldwide gross: $106,260,000
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $462,094,260
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 320
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 50,391,959
US/Canada gross: $106,260,000
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $8,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $34,789,705
Production budget ranking: 1,062
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $18,734,256
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $408,570,298
ROI to date (est.): 763%
ROI ranking: 166
Meryl Streep – Joanna Kramer
Justin Henry – Billy Kramer
Jane Alexander – Margaret Phelps
Howard Duff – John Shaunessy
George Coe – Jim O’Connor
Director(s)
Robert Benton
Writer(s)
Avery Corman, Robert Benton
Producer(s)
Stanley R. Jaffe
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Won 5 Oscars
39 wins & 25 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Best Achievement in Directing Winners, Oscar Best Picture Winners, Oscar Best Writing Winners, Oscar Nominees, Oscar Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published Winners, Oscar Winners
All Critics (55) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (47) | Rotten (8)
Kramer vs Kramer is a lopsided, sudsy movie that coasts through on its father-appeal, its star-power and its easy-paced comedy and pathos, seldom firing our brains and hearts into a fresh response.
February 4, 2020
Nigel Andrews
Financial Times
TOP CRITIC
It is lifted above the level of common tear-jerker by the same affectionate concern for character that distinguished Benton’s earlier pictures, Bad Company and The Late Show.
February 4, 2020
David Robinson
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
A triumph of partisan pathos, a celebration of father-son bonding that astutely succeeds were tearjerkers like “The Champ” so mawkishly failed.
May 6, 2017
Gary Arnold
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
What Benton achieved with his screenplay he intensified with his direction. Each performance is a minor miracle of perfection – not only Hoffman’s and Streep’s, which dominate the picture, but each of the supporting roles as well.
December 19, 2016
Arthur Knight
Hollywood Reporter
TOP CRITIC
Kramer vs. Kramer is greatly enriched by its exceptional cast.
February 21, 2015
Kathleen Carroll
New York Daily News
TOP CRITIC
It’s an interesting movie to look back on for its attitudes: In the guise of being a consciousness-raiser it plumps for male tenderness and demonizes the mother who can’t recognize how far her workaholic ex-hubbie has come.
February 19, 2013
Peter Rainer
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
The finest works of art open up the world as if it were a blossom, displaying the bitterness of a failed marriage with the same beauty, the same truth, as the miracle of a love which develops out of constancy and trust. [This] is one of these works.
May 18, 2022
Tom Huhn
Washington Blade
It’s a film designed to make a statement about feminism, specifically against feminism.
February 23, 2022 | Rating: 2.5/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
This 1979 Best Picture winner just seems “off” in 2021.
January 18, 2022 | Rating: 3/5
James Wegg
JWR
One of the most mature, emotionally crushing, unforgettable dramas of the year – and of the decade.
August 30, 2020 | Rating: 10/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
Kramer vs. Kramer is a wonderful picture, a lifelike experience which enthralls us, makes us think, laugh, cry, and jump for joy.
May 19, 2020
Michael Lasky
Bay Area Reporter
Kramer vs. Kramer is about the best possible subject to which art or entertainment can address themselves: people trying to get along in life.
January 27, 2020
Lawrence O’Toole
Maclean’s Magazine…
Plot
Ted Kramer is a career man for whom his work comes before his family. His wife Joanna cannot take this anymore, so she decides to leave him. Ted is now faced with the tasks of housekeeping and taking care of himself and their young son Billy. When he has learned to adjust his life to these new responsibilities, Joanna resurfaces and wants Billy back. Ted, however, refuses to give him up, so they go to court to fight for the custody of their son.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
NA
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