Awakenings (1990)
There is no such thing as a simple miracle.
Keywords
Awakenings rating: IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic
IMDb7.8/10· 171K votes
Rotten Tomatoes81%
Metacritic74%
TMDb7.773/10· 3K votesWith 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, backed by 7.8/10 on IMDb and 74/100 on Metacritic, critical reception of this film has been positive.
About Awakenings
Dr. Malcolm Sayer, a shy research physician, uses an experimental drug to "awaken" the catatonic victims of a rare disease. Leonard is the first patient to receive the controversial treatment. His awakening, filled with awe and enthusiasm, proves a rebirth for Sayer too, as the exuberant patient reveals life's simple but unutterably sweet pleasures to the introverted doctor.
Cast of Awakenings
Robert De Niro
as Leonard Lowe
Robin Williams
as Malcolm Sayer
John Heard
as Dr. Kaufman
Julie Kavner
as Eleanor Costello
Penelope Ann Miller
as Paula
Ruth Nelson
as Mrs. Lowe
Max von Sydow
as Peter Ingham
Anne Meara
as Miriam
Dexter Gordon
as Rolando
George Martin
as Frank
Alice Drummond
as Lucy Fishman
Richard Libertini
as Sidney
Awakenings facts
- Budget
- $31M
- Box office
- $52.1M
Ranked by the iRankMovies editorial teamUpdated August 2026MethodologyData sources
Audience opinions
What the audience liked
- •Moving exploration of hope and human connection
- •Experiment narrative captivates throughout
- •Strong medical drama based on true events
What the audience disliked
- •Comatose patient scenes can feel repetitive
- •Some scientific elements oversimplified
Trailer
Where to watch Awakenings(US)
View on JustWatch →Rent / Buy
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YouTube
Fandango At HomeAvailability may change. Data by JustWatch.
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