The Accidental Tourist

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The Accidental Tourist

PG

1989

2h 1m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

60%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

After the murder of their young son, the marriage between Macon (William Hurt) and his wife Sarah (Kathleen Turner) disintegrates, and she moves out. After a freak accident puts him on crutches, Macon goes to stay with his quirky siblings at the family home, where he meets the spirited Muriel (Geena Davis), a dog trainer with a young son of her own, with whom he begins a friendship. When Sarah learns about this, she attempts a reconciliation and Macon is forced to make a decision.

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Critics Consensus

Generous with its characters' foibles and virtues, The Accidental Tourist is a thoughtful drama vested with insight into the complications of relationships.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Jan 1, 2000

4/4

I've never seen a movie so sad in which there was so much genuine laughter.

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Jun 15, 2022

This eccentric family invented by Anne Tyler leaves the page finding strange new life with screenwriter/director Lawrence Kasdan. [Full review in Spanish]

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Dec 28, 2021

4/4

It's perfect in every way -- like Lost In Translation, The Piano and a few others, it's the sort of intimate movie that irrevocably touches certain viewers while leaving the rest shrugging their shoulders.

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Brian D. Johnson

Maclean's Magazine

Oct 11, 2019

As a comedy, Accidental Tourist is smart, witty and sophisticated.

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Alberto Abuín

Espinof

Sep 4, 2019

It has that slow rhythm, but without calm, very much to the taste of its director. [Full Review in Spanish]

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Cathy Burke

United Press International

Dec 9, 2017

The strength of the film is that of the novel: an intoxicating brew of irresistable characters.

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Maarit L

@Komedienne Jun 4, 2026

Lovely, beautiful movie.

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Donna M

@donner49 May 10, 2026

Not a line is wasted, nor delivered poorly. This is a sweet, but not cloying, dramedy with excellent performances all around. When I want to see a little gem, perfectly constructed, I re-watch The Accidental Tourist. When asked what is my favorite movie, this has been it since it opened, and I watch waaaay too many movies. Enjoy!

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Apr 17, 2026

The worldwide gross is $32,600,000.00 over a budget of $15,000,000.00.

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Drew M.

@Stonehands211 Mar 30, 2026

This one did not really work for me much at all, unfortunately. Good ideas of a story but not really mind all that well. There was a lot left on table I thought. The screenplay and direction made Hurt and Turner seem like bad actors somehow.

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Melissa L

@Agent99 Jan 30, 2026

It was okay, but I was hoping for a different ending.

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Leaburn O

@RT35452347 Jul 7, 2024

A solid romance drama with a bit of dark humour. Fairly adult interpretation of relationships rather than glossy Hollywood storyline. Not too bad and has aged ok. Watched on DVD after searching for it for a while.

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Lawrence Kasdan

Director

William Hurt

Macon Leary

Kathleen Turner

Sarah Leary

Geena Davis

Muriel Pritchett

Amy Wright

Rose Leary

Bill Pullman

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Synopsis

After the murder of their young son, the marriage between Macon (William Hurt) and his wife Sarah (Kathleen Turner) disintegrates, and she moves out. After a freak accident puts him on crutches, Macon goes to stay with his quirky siblings at the family home, where he meets the spirited Muriel (Geena Davis), a dog trainer with a young son of her own, with whom he begins a friendship. When Sarah learns about this, she attempts a reconciliation and Macon is forced to make a decision.

Director: Lawrence Kasdan
Producer: Michael Grillo, Charles Okun, Lawrence Kasdan
Screenwriter: Frank Galati, Lawrence Kasdan
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 6, 1989, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 28, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $30.3M
Runtime: 2h 1m
Sound Mix: Surround

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