Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

All Critics (51) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (52) | Rotten (8) | DVD (44)

A film that doesn't seem to know what it's about until the end.

January 16, 2013 Full Review

Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

Top Critic

Here is a dream as old as adolescence, and it is fun to be reminded of its ageless potency, especially in a movie as good-hearted as this one.

August 8, 2011 Full Review | Comment (1)

Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

Top Critic

Ferris Bueller exhibits John Hughes on an off day. Paucity of invention here lays bare the total absence of plot or involving situations.

July 18, 2007 Full Review | Comments (5)

Variety Staff

Variety

Top Critic

The overriding impression is one of utter nihilism, of a world divided into bored, crassly materialistic teenagers and doltish, unfeeling adults.

July 18, 2007 Full Review | Comments (17)

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

Ferris is an admittedly entertaining, at times delightful fellow. How unfortunate that no one got to wring the little bastard's neck.

February 11, 2006 Full Review | Comments (12)

Time Out

Top Critic

In this film [Hughes] has created a character who is every teen-ager's fantasy, but in the process he has lost some of the authenticity of his other films.

May 21, 2003 Full Review

Nina Darnton

New York Times

Top Critic

Proof, the best in the filmmaker's career, that a movie doesn't need to bend over backwards for Meaning to be absolutely great.

October 25, 2011 Full Review

Tim Brayton

Antagony & Ecstasy

its willingness to break convention and throw us into the fantastical, but strangely believable world of its characters makes Ferris Bueller not only Hughes's best teen films, but one of the best teen films ever made

August 5, 2011 Full Review

James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

Hilarious comedy classic; language makes it PG-13.

December 14, 2010 Full Review

Charles Cassady

Common Sense Media

Extras include a half dozen enjoyable little featurettes, which include both content filmed back in the 1980s and retrospective material from much more recently.

May 7, 2009 Full Review

Brian Webster

Apollo Guide

The quintessential teen comedy, this is a movie that could and should serve as a model for movies of this sort in the future.

May 7, 2009 Full Review

Brian Webster

Apollo Guide

The picture quality is a step up, but Paramount's production team clearly took the day off when it came time to bring Ferris Bueller to Blu-Ray.

May 6, 2009 Full Review

Eric Henderson

Slant Magazine

One has to marvel at just how perfectly Hughes nails his frustratingly entitled mise-en-scène, which he unquestionably does in the film's mesmerizing detour inside an art museum.

May 6, 2009 Full Review

Eric Henderson

Slant Magazine

Take a clue from Ferris: If you're going to cut, do it right. (25th Anniversary Blu-ray Edition)

May 4, 2009 Full Review

John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

It's an airhead teen film that nevertheless caught the public's fancy and still remains a popular cult favorite.

February 11, 2009 Full Review | Comments (8)

Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

There is a degree of rebellion in Ferris and a dash of teenage angst in Cameron, but basically Hughes is handing us a joyful bit of fluff.

July 24, 2008 Full Review

John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

Sporadically hilarious, with roots that run far deeper than expected.

May 5, 2008 Full Review

Adam Smith

Empire Magazine

There are some great comic set pieces with a seize-the-day vibe for teens. Broderick is amiably charismatic and high school dean Jones almost matches him in comic skill.

May 5, 2008 Full Review

Film4

Broderick brings some real charm and chutzpah to the part.

July 18, 2007 Full Review

TV Guide's Movie Guide

A comedy classic.

October 7, 2006 Full Review

David Medsker

Bullz-Eye.com

Not only captures what being a teenager and a high schooler felt like, but also embodies what life ought to be like.

February 16, 2006 Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

• 1. Ferris Bueller: Do you have a kiss for daddy?
  2. Sloane Peterson: Are you kidding?
  3. Ed Rooney: Hmmm, so that's how it is in their family.
  – Submitted by Joe N (19 days ago)
• 1. Ferris Bueller: Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
  – Submitted by Toni W (46 days ago)
• 1. Chez Quis Maitre 'd: I weep for the future.
  – Submitted by Zach W (3 months ago)
• 1. Ferris Bueller: Speak any English?
  2. Garage Attendant: What country do you think this is?
  – Submitted by Tim N (4 months ago)
• 1. Ferris Bueller: I do have a test today, that wasn't bullshit. It's on European Socialism. I'm not European, nor do I plan on being European, so who gives a crap if they're socialists? It still wouldn't change the fact that I don't own a car!
  – Submitted by Tim N (4 months ago)
• 1. Cameron Frye: Ferris Bueller, you're my hero.
  – Submitted by Karen K (4 months ago)