Real Genius (1985): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Real Genius is a 1985 sci-fi comedy directed by Martha Coolidge, starring Val Kilmer, Jon Gries and William Atherton. It runs 1 hour 48 minutes and earned $13 million worldwide. Critics gave it 71 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 48m (108 min)
- Director
- Martha Coolidge
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- TriStar Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Real Genius About?
The premise of Real Genius without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A freshman physics prodigy, Mitch Taylor, finds himself working alongside a charming and experienced senior, Chris Knight, on a groundbreaking laser project. Their collaboration leads to remarkable advancements, but they soon realize the government intends to exploit their creation for questionable purposes. As their friendship deepens, Mitch and Chris must confront ethical dilemmas and the potential consequences of their innovation.
Real Genius Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- nerd
- secret door
- high school
- pool party
- science fair
- laser beam
- air force base
- final exam
- campus
- sabotage
- teen movie
- teen comedy
+38 more Show fewer
- cult film
- independent film
- astronaut
- disassemble
- telephone call
- bare chested male
- brilliant mind
- woman wears a gas mask
- cia central intelligence agency
- female director
- female filmmaker
- manic pixie dream girl
- laser
- weapon
- genius
- professor
- student
- military
- teenager
- science
- hawaiian shirt
- title directed by female
- exploding house
- u.s. air force
- major
- general
- mentor
- party
- penis enlarger
- eccentricity
- ego
- top secret
- teacher student relationship
- revenge
- ice
- computer cracker
- airforce
- popcorn
Real Genius Cast
Val Kilmer leads the cast, with Jon Gries and William Atherton. Directed by Martha Coolidge; 9 actors are credited in all.
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Director Martha Coolidge
Also Starring in Real Genius
· 5 moreMore from Martha Coolidge
More films directed by Martha Coolidge, best-rated first: Valley Girl, The Prince and Me, Out to Sea and Material Girls.
Real Genius Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Real Genius 71 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 71 Metascore
User score 7.1
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 67% User score
See on TMDB
Real Genius Plot Summary
What happens in Real Genius from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In an undercover mission, the CIA recruits Professor Jerry Hathaway at Pacific Technical University to innovate a state-of-the-art power source for “Crossbow,” a laser weapon designed for covert political assassinations from outer space. Under the pretense of academic research, Hathaway gathers a group of exceptional students, excluding his devoted protégé Kent. He chooses to mask the true objective of their project, instead leveraging the brilliant ideas of his newest addition, Mitch Taylor - a teenage whiz kid who has made significant strides in the field of laser physics.
Full summary
The whole story of Real Genius, scene by scene
Real Genius Box Office
Real Genius grossed $13 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$13M
- US & Canada
- $13M
Real Genius Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.
- Clip First 10 Minutes
How Well Do You Know Real Genius?
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 is the main project that Professor Jerry Hathaway is working on?
Cars in Real Genius
18 cars on screen, including the 1972 Citroën DS 21 and the GMC Value Van.
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1972 Citroën DS 21 Main role -
GMC Value Van Important role -
1984 Peugeot 505 Important role -
1985 Plymouth Reliant K Important role
Real Genius Also Known As
26 alternative titles, including “Profession: Génie” and “Academia de Gênios”.
- Also known as
-
- Profession: Génie
- Academia de Gênios
- Настоящие гении
- Scuola di geni
- Escuela de genios
- Geni-skolen
- Neropatti
- Snilleskolan
- Valóságos zseni
- Academia de Génios
- Същински гений
- Was für ein Genie!
+14 more Show fewer
- Profession : Génie
- Geniul adevărat
- Истински гений
- Справжній геній
- Prawdziwy geniusz
- Geniskolen
- Academia de Genios
- 天才反击
- Σκέτο τζίνι
- 21세기 두뇌 게임
- 天才アカデミー
- גאון הדור
- Escola de genis
- Gerçek Dahi
Seen Real Genius?
Movies Like Real Genius
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Lazer Team, Bad Genius and Masterminds.
Real Genius FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Real Genius, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Real Genius?
Real Genius runs 1 hour 48 minutes (108 minutes).
When was Real Genius released?
Real Genius was released on August 7, 1985.
Who directed Real Genius?
Real Genius was directed by Martha Coolidge.
More films by Martha Coolidge Who is in the cast of Real Genius?
Real Genius stars Val Kilmer, Jon Gries and William Atherton, among 9 credited actors.
How much did Real Genius make at the box office?
Real Genius grossed $13 million worldwide.
How is Real Genius rated?
Real Genius has 71 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.
Does Real Genius have a post-credit scene?
No. Real Genius has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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