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Donnie Darko

Play trailer 0:40 Poster for Donnie Darko R In Theaters Oct 2 1h 53m Drama Sci-Fi Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
88% Tomatometer 125 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
In a funny, moving and distinctly mind-bending journey through suburban America, one extraordinary but disenchanted teenager is about to take Time's Arrow for a ride. After surviving a freak accident, Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal) begins to explore what it means to be alive, and in short order to be in love, he uncovers secrets of the universe that give him a tempting power to alter time and destiny.
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Donnie Darko

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Richard Kelly's debut feature Donnie Darko is a daring, original vision, packed with jarring ideas and intelligence and featuring a remarkable performance from Jake Gyllenhaal as the troubled title character.

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Cast & Crew

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Richard Kelly

Director

Jake Gyllenhaal

Donnie Darko

Jena Malone

Gretchen Ross

Drew Barrymore

Ms. Karen Pomeroy

James Duval

Frank

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Elizabeth Darko

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Critics Reviews

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Justin Chang Los Angeles Times Mar 31, 2017
The movie feels perfectly timed to coincide with our nation's latest flirtation with the apocalypse. Go to Full Review Tara Brady Irish Times Jan 10, 2017
5/5
Donnie Darko rightly made a star of Gyllenhaal. Go to Full Review Nigel Andrews Financial Times Dec 29, 2016
The script makes variable sense, but so does life. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Mar 22, 2026
3.5/4
Like Being John Malkovich and 2001: A Space Odyssey and too few others, this is one of those mind-melting cinematic achievements. Go to Full Review Paul Kanieski KSQD Community Radio Jul 21, 2023
Jake Gyllenhaal, with an impish grin that exudes boyish charm, gives a breakout performance as Donnie Darko. Go to Full Review Erick Estrada Cinegarage Mar 29, 2023
One of the best homages to Back to the Future. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Logan Bushaw Mar 27, 2025 MORE RE-RELEASES PLEASE See more rylee Mar 23, 2025 i love this movie so much. 🤍 See more Gretchen 3 days ago Loved it all! Plus my name is a featured character 😁🫶🏻 See more Mckinnon S @Mac123398 6 days ago My favorite movie of all time definitely I would tell anyone to watch it and Jake’s performance was so amazing See more Peter M @RT04383917 Sep 15, 2026 In my top 10. Will give detailed review later. See more Jasmine W @jasniquejewels Aug 31, 2026 one of the best psychological thriller films oat. donnie darko is really good and finding the meaning of the concepts my perspective changes with every rewatch. this made me laugh way more than it should of. See more Read all reviews
Donnie Darko

My Rating

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Donnie Darko

Donnie Darko: 25th Anniversary Trailer Donnie Darko: 25th Anniversary Trailer 0:40 Now Playing Donnie Darko: Re-Release Trailer Donnie Darko: Re-Release Trailer 1:35 Now Playing View more videos
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Donnie Darko

A scene from the film "Donnie Darko." A scene from the film "Donnie Darko." A scene from the film "Donnie Darko." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In a funny, moving and distinctly mind-bending journey through suburban America, one extraordinary but disenchanted teenager is about to take Time's Arrow for a ride. After surviving a freak accident, Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal) begins to explore what it means to be alive, and in short order to be in love, he uncovers secrets of the universe that give him a tempting power to alter time and destiny.
Director
Richard Kelly
Producer
Sean McKittrick, Nancy Juvonen
Screenwriter
Richard Kelly
Distributor
Newmarket Film Group
Production Co
Adam Fields Productions, Flower Films, Pandora Cinema, Gaylord Films
Rating
R (Some Drug Use|Language|Violence)
Genre
Drama, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 26, 2001, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Oct 2, 2026
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 25, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$205.8K
Runtime
1h 53m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital, Dolby SR, Surround, Dolby Stereo, Dolby A
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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