Midnight Run (1988)
90%RT Audience Score: 87%
Awards & Nominations: 2 wins & 4 nominations
Enlivened by the antagonistic chemistry between Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin, Midnight Run is an uncommonly entertaining odd couple comedy.
If you’re looking for a movie that’s equal parts thrilling and hilarious, then Midnight Run is the perfect pick. With a cast that includes Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin, you know you’re in for a treat. And even though it’s been over 30 years since its release, this movie still has a cult following of blue-collar guys who can’t get enough of it. So grab some popcorn, sit back, and get ready to laugh until you cry.
Production Company(ies)
Power Pictures, 2002 Ltd., Bórd Scannán na hÉireann Nederlandse Programma Stichting
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
New Zealand
MPAA / Certificate
R
Year of Release
1988
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Stereo
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:2h 2m
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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): Jul 11, 1988 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 27, 2009
Genre(s)
Comedy/Action
Keyword(s)
starring Robert De Niro, Charles Grodin, Yaphet Kotto, John Ashton, Dennis Farina, Joe Pantoliano, directed by Martin Brest, written by George Gallo, comedy, action, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Martin Chilton, Michael Wilmington, Richard Schickel, Carrie Rickey, Peter Travers, Jay Boyar, MPAA rating R, bounty hunter, mob accountant, FBI, cross-country chase, odd couple comedy, chemistry, execution, brilliant talent, Danny Elfman, low-key comedy, character development, danger, thrilling, exciting, pathos, friendship, believable, intimidating, lightness of touch, endearing, highly irritating, obsessive, intelligent, gentle of heart, seamless, supporting roles, portentous, unscrupulous, dynamic score, poignancy, freshness, underrated, enjoyable, amazing chemistry, organically, appropriately dramatic, action-filled, extremely funny, horror movies, MCU movies, Netflix series, TV premiere dates, worst horror movies, careers
Worldwide gross: $81,613,606
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $208,966,848
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 669
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 22,788,097
US/Canada gross: $38,413,606
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $98,355,783
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 763
US/Canada opening weekend: $5,506,290
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $14,098,532
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 822
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $35,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $89,615,446
Production budget ranking: 464
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $48,257,917
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $71,093,485
ROI to date (est.): 52%
ROI ranking: 1,142
Charles Grodin – Jonathan Mardukas
Yaphet Kotto – Alonzo Mosely
John Ashton – Marvin Dorfler
Dennis Farina – Jimmy Serrano
Joe Pantoliano – Eddie Moscone
Director(s)
Martin Brest
Writer(s)
George Gallo
Producer(s)
Martin Brest
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
2 wins & 4 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (54) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (51) | Rotten (3)
The interplay between the two leads is pure gold.
June 27, 2015 | Rating: 5/5
Martin Chilton
Daily Telegraph (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Who said movies always have to be original? This one is redeemed by execution and brilliant talent: De Niro, Grodin, director Martin Brest, composer Danny Elfman, most of the cast and technicians.
July 30, 2013
Michael Wilmington
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
A performance like De Niro’s, in a well-made entertainment like Midnight Run, is cheap at any price. And capable of restoring the audience’s faith in the form.
July 30, 2013
Richard Schickel
TIME Magazine
TOP CRITIC
De Niro is nervily hilarious and Grodin nervelessly exceptional in Midnight Run, a formula buddy movie exalted to insta-classic status by their performances.
July 30, 2013 | Rating: 3/4
Carrie Rickey
Philadelphia Inquirer
TOP CRITIC
Brace yourself for a movie joyride that sends you home reeling from thrills, laughter and the pleasure of honest sentiment.
July 30, 2013
Peter Travers
People Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Grodin and De Niro are different kinds of actors, but they share a knack for detail and a gift for understatement that keeps their scenes together crackling.
July 30, 2013
Jay Boyar
Orlando Sentinel
TOP CRITIC
It’s trite to say “they don’t make ’em like this anymore,” but listen, studios really don’t make movies like Midnight Run anymore.
April 27, 2021
Chris Plante
Polygon
There’s a certain blue-collar demographic pocket in America where “Midnight Run” will live on forever. I still hear manly guys quoting it 30 years later. You wanna die laughing? Here’s your chance.
May 17, 2020 | Rating: 4.5/5
Mark Jackson
Epoch Times
The comic chemistry between Grodin and De Niro is of a rare, and relentlessly funny calibre.
May 13, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
Leigh Paatsch
Herald Sun (Australia)
…as funny as it is exciting.
April 14, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/4
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews
This could have been engaging fluff except De Niro’s acting has grown as heavy as Jake La Motta.
February 27, 2020
Molly Haskell
Vogue
Midnight Run is a witty, low-key comedy with the accent on character. Individually, De Niro and Grodin are brilliant; together, they are hilarious.
October 30, 2019
Brian D. Johnson
Maclean’s Magazine…
Plot
Bounty hunter Jack Walsh (Robert De Niro) is sent to find and return bail jumper and former Mafia accountant, Jonathan “The Duke” Mardukas (Charles Grodin). The FBI has had no success in locating The Duke, so when Jack finds him in next to no time, they are a little embarrassed. In order to collect his $100,000 fee, Jack must take The Duke from New York to Los Angeles. However, the Mafia and the FBI have other ideas, as does Marvin Dorfler (John Ashton), a rival bounty hunter. On their long cross-country trip to LA, the two get to know each other and they build up a strange friendship.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The interplay between Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin is pure gold, according to Fresh Kernels.
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