Kramer vs. Kramer (1979): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Kramer vs. Kramer is a 1979 drama directed by Robert Benton, starring Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes and earned $106.3 million worldwide. It won 5 Oscars, including Best Picture and Actor in a Leading Role, and 6 awards in all. Critics gave it 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 77 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 45m (105 min)
- Director
- Robert Benton
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
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English - Studio
- Columbia Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Kramer vs. Kramer About?
The premise of Kramer vs. Kramer without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After his wife unexpectedly leaves, advertising executive Ted Kramer finds himself a single parent, navigating the challenges of raising their young son, Billy. He develops a close relationship with Billy as they adjust to their new life, but the unexpected return of Joanna throws everything into turmoil. A difficult custody battle ensues, forcing Ted and Joanna to confront their feelings and examine the complexities of love, sacrifice, and what truly defines a family.
Kramer vs. Kramer Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- marriage
- divorce
- injured child
- custody battle
- child custody
- single father
- female nudity
- repetition in title
- father son relationship
- mother son relationship
- new york city
- ex husband ex wife relationship
+38 more Show fewer
- divorcee
- family relationships
- sex with coworker
- implied sex
- hands covering breasts
- husband wife relationship
- marital problem
- falling from height
- blood
- urination
- ice cream
- halloween
- women's liberation
- parental alienation
- man keeps house
- u.s. justice
- american justice
- legal battle
- lawsuit
- heterosexuality
- u.s. law
- domestic drama
- judicial system
- struggling parent
- cast iron
- stitch
- anger
- courtroom
- battle of the sexes
- workaholic
- tantrum
- playground
- lawyer
- friendship
- boy
- custody
- reference to the brady bunch
- lawyer client relationship
Kramer vs. Kramer Cast
Dustin Hoffman leads the cast, with Meryl Streep. Directed by Robert Benton.
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Director Robert Benton
More from Robert Benton
More films directed by Robert Benton, best-rated first: Nobody's Fool, Places in the Heart, The Human Stain and Feast of Love.
Kramer vs. Kramer Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Kramer vs. Kramer 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 77 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10.
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IMDb 7.8 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 90% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 89%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 77 Metascore
User score 8.3
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 76% User score
See on TMDB
Kramer vs. Kramer Plot Summary
What happens in Kramer vs. Kramer from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Ted Kramer, played by Dustin Hoffman, is a dedicated advertising executive who is delighted to share his recent promotion as the creative director with his wife, Meryl Streep. However, his world turns upside down when she announces her decision to leave him and their young son, Billy. Joanna takes $2000 from their savings, the amount she brought into the marriage, demonstrating her resolve to leave. Despite Ted’s desperate attempts to persuade her to stay, Joanna is unwavering.
Full summary
The whole story of Kramer vs. Kramer, scene by scene
Kramer vs. Kramer Box Office
Kramer vs. Kramer grossed $106.3 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$106.3M
- US & Canada
- $106.3M
Kramer vs. Kramer Awards & Nominations
Kramer vs. Kramer won 5 Oscars, including Best Picture and Actor in a Leading Role, and 6 awards in all. Its biggest night was the Oscars 1980, with 5 wins from 9 nominations.
6 wins23 nominations4 ceremonies
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BAFTA 1981 6 nominations- Nominated Best Actor in a Leading Role – Dustin Hoffman
- Nominated Best Actress in a Leading Role – Meryl Streep
- Nominated Best Direction – Robert Benton
- Nominated Best Editing
- Nominated Best Film – Stanley R. Jaffe
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Oscars 1980 5 wins · 9 nominations- Won Actor in a Leading Role – Dustin Hoffman
- Won Actress in a Supporting Role – Meryl Streep
- Won Best Picture
- Won Directing – Robert Benton
- Won Writing (Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium) – Robert Benton
-
DGA Awards 1980 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Feature Film – Robert Benton
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Golden Globes 1980 7 nominations- Nominated Best Director – Robert Benton
- Nominated Best Motion Picture – Drama
- Nominated Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama (Actor) – Dustin Hoffman
- Nominated Best Screenplay – Robert Benton
- Nominated Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama, Comedy or Musical (Supporting Actor)
Kramer vs. Kramer Trailers & Videos
15 videos: 1 trailer, 9 clips and 5 featurettes.
- Clip Kramer vs. Kramer (7/8) Movie CLIP - Ted's Plea (1979) HD
- Clip Making French Toast - Kramer vs. Kramer (2/8) Movie CLIP (1979) HD
- Clip Kramer vs. Kramer (5/8) Movie CLIP - I'm His Mother (1979) HD
- Clip Kramer v Kramer Best scene
How Well Do You Know Kramer vs. Kramer?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What event prompts Joanna to leave Ted?
Cars in Kramer vs. Kramer
28 cars on screen, including the 1974 Checker Taxicab and the 1977 Ford LTD.
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1974 Checker Taxicab Minor role -
1977 Ford LTD Minor role -
1969 Buick LeSabre Background role -
1976 Buick LeSabre Background role
Seen Kramer vs. Kramer?
Movies Like Kramer vs. Kramer
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Apprehension, Marriage Story and Scenes from a Marriage.
Kramer vs. Kramer FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Kramer vs. Kramer, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Kramer vs. Kramer?
Kramer vs. Kramer runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).
When was Kramer vs. Kramer released?
Kramer vs. Kramer was released on December 19, 1979.
Who directed Kramer vs. Kramer?
Kramer vs. Kramer was directed by Robert Benton.
More films by Robert Benton Who is in the cast of Kramer vs. Kramer?
Kramer vs. Kramer stars Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep.
How much did Kramer vs. Kramer make at the box office?
Kramer vs. Kramer grossed $106.3 million worldwide.
How is Kramer vs. Kramer rated?
Kramer vs. Kramer has 7.8/10 on IMDb, 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, 77 on Metacritic and 76% on TMDB.
What awards did Kramer vs. Kramer win?
Kramer vs. Kramer won 6 awards from 23 nominations, including Actor in a Leading Role at the Oscars 1980.
Does Kramer vs. Kramer have a post-credit scene?
No. Kramer vs. Kramer has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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