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Bagdad Cafe 1988

Stranded in the American Southwest due to car trouble, Jasmin seeks refuge at the unusual Bagdad Café. Initially experiencing friction with the café’s owner, she unexpectedly forges an unlikely friendship. This leads to a longer-than-expected stay amongst the café’s diverse and eccentric group of travelers, where Jasmin ultimately finds a sense of belonging and a surprising place within their vibrant, chaotic world.

Stranded in the American Southwest due to car trouble, Jasmin seeks refuge at the unusual Bagdad Café. Initially experiencing friction with the café’s owner, she unexpectedly forges an unlikely friendship. This leads to a longer-than-expected stay amongst the café’s diverse and eccentric group of travelers, where Jasmin ultimately finds a sense of belonging and a surprising place within their vibrant, chaotic world.

Does Bagdad Cafe have end credit scenes?

No!

Bagdad Cafe does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Bagdad Cafe

Explore the complete cast of Bagdad Cafe, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Bagdad Cafe

See how Bagdad Cafe is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Bagdad Cafe stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

71

Metascore

7.3

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

80%

TOMATOMETER

review

88%

User Score

IMDb

7.4 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

72

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate Bagdad Cafe Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Bagdad Cafe with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Bagdad Cafe Quiz: Test your knowledge on the beloved 1988 film Bagdad Cafe and its intriguing characters and plot.

What prompts Jasmin to leave her husband?

Awards & Nominations for Bagdad Cafe

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Discover all the awards and nominations received by Bagdad Cafe, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how Bagdad Cafe and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


The 61st Academy Awards 1989

Nomination

Music (Original Song)

4th Independent Spirit Awards 1989

Nomination

Best Foreign Film

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Bagdad Cafe

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Read the complete plot summary of Bagdad Cafe, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


German tourist Jasmin Münchgstettner (Marianne Sägebrecht) finds herself in a quarrel with her husband, Hans Stadlbauer, prompting her to storm off along a desolate desert highway. Coincidentally, Brenda (CCH Pounder), the fiery owner of the rundown Bagdad Cafe, experiences her own marital troubles when she has an argument with her husband, who also drives away.

As fate would have it, Jasmin arrives at the Bagdad Cafe, pulling her suitcase behind her, and inquires about a room at the adjacent motel that sits in the heart of the California desert. Settling in, she forms a bond with Brenda’s children and Rudi Cox (Jack Palance), a washed-up set designer from Tinsel Town who frequents the cafe.

Jasmin, embodying her typical German meticulousness, cannot bear the chaos and dirt around her; thus, she embarks on a mission to tidy up her motel room and the cafe itself. Meanwhile, the charming Rudi is keen on painting Jasmin’s portrait, each piece becoming increasingly risqué and provocative. Not only is Jasmin a hard worker, but she also possesses magical talents that she showcases to the occasional customers.

As word of this oasis in the desert travels among the trucking community, the cafe quickly fills up, capturing the notice of the local Sheriff, Arnie (portrayed by Apesanahkwat). Nevertheless, Jasmin faces an impending departure as her tourist visa is nearing its end. However, Rudi proposes a solution: they could marry, allowing her to remain. Embracing this unexpected twist, she agrees to his proposal, and together they continue to entertain the crowd with her magic tricks and the musical contributions from Brenda and her children.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Bagdad Cafe

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Bagdad Cafe. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


BAGDA CAFÉ - Trailer

Cars Featured in Bagdad Cafe

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Explore all cars featured in Bagdad Cafe, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Buick

1969

LeSabre Custom

Buick

1971

Skylark

Chevrolet

1964

C-10

Dodge

1981

Diplomat

Ford

1980

F-Series

Freightliner

FLA

Freightliner

FLT

Freightliner

FLT

Harley-Davidson

Sportster

International

Harvester Transtar CO-4070 A

Bagdad Cafe Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


restaurantf ratedringing telephoneplace name in titledesert motelstranded in the desertwife finds a new love interesttruck driverhouse cleaningquirky comedystrong coffeecounty sheriffimmigrantdesolate placemagic showeast german womancross cultural relationshipmarital reconciliationaspiring pianistscene before opening creditsdesert landscapecult filmmotor homerainbowfemale protagonistnude modelingpaintingboomerangindependent filmfemale topless nudityfemale nuditywater tower

Bagdad Cafe Other Names and Titles

Explore the various alternative titles, translations, and other names used for Bagdad Cafe across different regions and languages. Understand how the film is marketed and recognized worldwide.


Καφέ Μπαγκντάτ バグダッド・カフェ Bagdad Café 甜蜜咖啡屋 קפה בגדד 바그다드 카페 Кафе «Багдад» Bağdat Cafe Далеч от Розенхайм Багдад кафе 巴格达咖啡馆 Hotel Bagdad

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Other Names for Bagdad Cafe

Explore the alternate titles, translations, and working names for Bagdad Cafe. Learn how the film is known in different regions, languages, and releases, and discover the variations that reflect its cultural reach and marketing choices.


Καφέ Μπαγκντάτ バグダッド・カフェ Bagdad Café 甜蜜咖啡屋 קפה בגדד 바그다드 카페 Кафе «Багдад» Bağdat Cafe Далеч от Розенхайм Багдад кафе 巴格达咖啡馆 Hotel Bagdad

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