The Lucky Ones

Play trailer

The Lucky Ones

R

2008

1h 55m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

38%

Tomatometer

73 Reviews

54%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Stuck at a closed airport while on leave from Iraq War service, soldiers Colee Dunn (Rachel McAdams), Fred Cheaver (Tim Robbins) and T.K. Poole (Michael Peña) decide to carpool to get to their far-off destinations. Colee wants to visit with her late fiancé's family, while wounded T.K. longs to see his future wife and Fred, needing fast cash to send his son to college, is headed for a casino. During the journey, the soldiers forge a bond based on their uncertain futures.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

The Lucky Ones features heartfelt performances, but is undone by the plot's overwrought parade of coincidence and contrivance.

Read Critics Reviews

Peter Rainer

Christian Science Monitor

Sep 29, 2008

C

The Iraq war has thus far produced no truly memorable dramatic movies, as opposed to documentaries, and the losing streak continues with The Lucky Ones.

Go to Full Review

Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

Sep 26, 2008

3.5/4

There are so many little touches, so many delicate nuances that constantly amaze and inspire, that by the time it was over I almost didn't want their story to come to an end.

Go to Full Review

Claudia Puig

USA Today

Sep 26, 2008

2.5/4

This is not the worst of the Iraq-themed movies of the past few years, and it's possibly the best acted of any of them. But you wish the bonding of these three people wasn't diluted by the trite scenarios and artificial circumstances of their saga.

Go to Full Review

Brian D. Johnson

Maclean's Magazine

Dec 16, 2017

It feels like it secretly wants to be a Iraq vet version [ of Y tu Mama Tambien] but is afraid to go there.

Go to Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Jun 3, 2017

C+

A cautious but strained apolitical Iraqi War drama.

Go to Full Review

Martin Tsai

Critic's Notebook

Oct 7, 2015

Mostly everything in the film, regardless of how contrived the set up, eventually rings true.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Sean K

@Esky3 Jul 24, 2025

Great acting with an okay script. I liked it. Don't believe all the negative reviews.

See more

Gaylord R

@RT95327010 Jan 11, 2023

I am so tired of reading reviews written by wannabee critics who seem to love finding some little flaw somewhere so they can prove that they are really "critics". I, on the other hand, am not a jaded, faded pseudo-intellectual, I am an enthusiastic fan of darn good, out-of-the-world true to life films which do no pretend to be either drama, or comedy, or any genre but rather mirror life as it unfolds in its myriad forms of hilarity, sadness, hope, disappointment, ludicrousness, and redemption. The Lucky Ones is a film that has it all, superb writing, amazing chemistry, scenery, camera work, you name it. It entertains, but it enlightens more.

See more

steve d

@RT35616104 Jun 22, 2020

Some strong performances help an interesting script and compelling characters. I thought it was heartfelt and fun.

See more

Aug 28, 2019

Bad story line. Acting is Ok. Ending horrible. Is there a letter for suck-so-bad? LOL! F- Infinity. HA!

See more

Aug 15, 2017

Touching, a great movie about how much people can affect each other's lives.

See more

Aug 6, 2017

As a civilian, I've never experienced the cohesiveness a military unit develops through facing mortal threats and surviving them. The Lucky Ones is not a perfect movie but the performances are good and i feel i got a taste of what it could be like to be these characters. The bar scene is particularly memorable for its illustration of unit interdependence.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Neil Burger

Director

Rachel McAdams

Colee

Tim Robbins

Cheaver

Michael Peña

TK

Molly Hagan

Pat Cheaver

Mark L. Young

Scott Cheaver

The Lucky Ones: Official Clip - What's Your Plan?

1:26

Now Playing

The Lucky Ones: Official Clip - Mysteries of Life

1:36

Now Playing

The Lucky Ones: Official Clip - Spiritual Healing

2:03

Now Playing

The Lucky Ones: Official Clip - Tornado

3:00

Now Playing

The Lucky Ones: Official Clip - Hummers

1:11

Now Playing

The Lucky Ones: Official Clip - I Found Cheaver

2:13

Now Playing

The Lucky Ones: Official Clip - Good Liar

2:31

Now Playing

The Lucky Ones: Official Clip - I'm Happy Alone

2:37

Now Playing

The Lucky Ones: Official Clip - Lucky Guy

1:44

Now Playing

The Lucky Ones: Official Clip - Port-O-John

1:47

Now Playing

View more videos

For Colored Girls

31%

73%

For Colored Girls

Watchlist

Fierce People

24%

57%

Fierce People

Watchlist

Tennessee

35%

54%

Tennessee

Watchlist

Lions for Lambs

28%

47%

Lions for Lambs

Watchlist

Fireflies in the Garden

21%

45%

Fireflies in the Garden

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Stuck at a closed airport while on leave from Iraq War service, soldiers Colee Dunn (Rachel McAdams), Fred Cheaver (Tim Robbins) and T.K. Poole (Michael Peña) decide to carpool to get to their far-off destinations. Colee wants to visit with her late fiancé's family, while wounded T.K. longs to see his future wife and Fred, needing fast cash to send his son to college, is headed for a casino. During the journey, the soldiers forge a bond based on their uncertain futures.

Director: Neil Burger
Producer: Neil Burger, Brian Koppelman, David Levien, Rick Schwartz
Screenwriter: Neil Burger, Dirk Wittenborn
Distributor: Roadside Attractions, Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Sony Pictures, Lionsgate Films, QED International, Roadside Attractions
Rating: R (Some Sexual Content|Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 26, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 6, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $183.1K
Runtime: 1h 55m

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings