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What's After the Movie?
Sports drama

Rad (1986): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Rad (1986) movie poster

Rad is a 1986 sports drama directed by Hal Needham, starring Bill Allen, Talia Shire and Laura Jacoby. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes and earned $2 million worldwide. Critics gave it 24 on Metacritic.

worldwide gross
$2M
Metascore
24
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Rad (1986) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 31m (91 min)
Director
Hal Needham
Genres
Drama , Sport
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Rad About?

The premise of Rad without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A determined cyclist named Bill Allen rises through the ranks of competitive cycling, facing significant challenges to reach the top. He must overcome a ruthless promoter who controls access to a prestigious, nationally televised event. This opportunity promises to launch Allen into the spotlight and establish him as a star, but he’s not willing to back down from the high-stakes competition.

Rad Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • newspaper boy
  • bicycle race
  • bmx bicycle
  • businessman
  • love interest
  • montage
  • mother son conflict
  • newspaper route
  • sabotage
  • underdog
  • small town
  • single mother
+38 more
  • teenage girl
  • slow motion scene
  • newspaper
  • teenage protagonist
  • teenage boy
  • riding a bicycle
  • bicycle
  • town hall
  • motorcycle policeman
  • high school dance
  • mother son relationship
  • brother sister relationship
  • boyfriend girlfriend relationship
  • one word title
  • title spoken by character
  • kiss
  • song during opening credits
  • race
  • bribe
  • snobbery
  • sponsorship
  • old man
  • motorcycle
  • sunglasses
  • widow
  • high school
  • bicycle racing
  • bmx stunt riding
  • flowerbed
  • dog
  • victory
  • man wears eyeglasses
  • argument
  • chevrolet corvette
  • dance
  • girl
  • falling off a bicycle
  • delivering a newspaper
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Cast & crew

Rad Cast

Bill Allen leads the cast, with Talia Shire and Laura Jacoby. Directed by Hal Needham; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Hal Needham

More films directed by Hal Needham, best-rated first: Hooper, Smokey and the Bandit II, The Cannonball Run and Cannonball Run II.

Full filmography
Ratings

Rad Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Rad 24 on Metacritic.

Plot

Rad Plot Summary

What happens in Rad from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Cru Jones [Bill Allen] is a teenage BMX racer who lives in a small town with his younger sister Wesley Laura Jacoby and their mother Talia Shire. He faces a tough choice: qualify for Helltrack, or take the SAT in order to attend college. Winning Helltrack means $100,000, a new Chevrolet Corvette, and fame. Cru chooses the former option, against his mother’s wishes.

Full summary

The whole story of Rad, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Rad Box Office

Rad grossed $2 million worldwide.

1986 box office

Worldwide gross

$2M

US & Canada
$2M
Videos

Rad Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser and 1 featurette.

Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Teaser Celebrate Rad Day
  • Featurette Fathom This! | Interview with Bill Allen from RAD
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Rad?

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the teenage BMX racer who is the hero of the film?

Cars

Cars in Rad

40 cars on screen, including the 1986 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer and the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Police.

All 40 cars
  • 1986 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer in Rad 1986 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer Important role
  • Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Police in Rad Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Police Important role
  • 1981 Cadillac Sedan DeVille in Rad 1981 Cadillac Sedan DeVille Minor role
  • 1985 Chevrolet Camaro in Rad 1985 Chevrolet Camaro Minor role
Details

Rad Also Known As

5 alternative titles, including “单车小子” and “Несломленный”.

Also known as
  • 单车小子
  • Несломленный
  • 레드
  • A menő srác
  • Pista iadului

Seen Rad?

FAQ

Rad FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Rad, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Rad?

Rad runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).

When was Rad released?

Rad was released on March 28, 1986.

Who directed Rad?

Rad was directed by Hal Needham.

More films by Hal Needham

Who is in the cast of Rad?

Rad stars Bill Allen, Talia Shire and Laura Jacoby, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Rad make at the box office?

Rad grossed $2 million worldwide.

How is Rad rated?

Rad has 24 on Metacritic and 65% on TMDB.

Does Rad have a post-credit scene?

No. Rad has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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