Hearts in Atlantis

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Hearts in Atlantis

PG-13

2001

1h 41m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

49%

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136 Reviews

64%

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10,000+ Ratings

Hearts In Atlantis is a drama based on Stephen King's bestseller of the same name. It is the story of a mysterious man (Anthony Hopkins) who enlists the aid of a brilliant young boy (Anton Yelchin) to save his life. This friendship with a mysterious stranger forever changes the way he sees the world.

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Critics Consensus

Hearts in Atlantis is well-acted and beautiful to look at, but the movie is nothing more than a mood piece.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

12/24/2010

3/5

Above average coming of age story.

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Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

10/03/2001

2.5/5

Hicks ... coats the film in a bogus idyllic mist that substitutes cheap sentiment for blunt truth.

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Michael Atkinson

Village Voice

10/02/2001

The unblinking sympathy for kids struggling with evil and with the strange frequencies of prepubescent passion can, if your defenses are down, lay you out.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

11/18/2023

Inspiring without sinking into sentimentality or cliché, Hearts in Atlantis is a coming of age story that has nothing to do with sexual rites of passage or mystical quests and everything to do with the gaining of wisdom and self-esteem ...

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Brian D. Johnson

Maclean's Magazine

10/15/2019

Anthony Hopkins uses his casual intelligence to deflect a dung-storm of sentimental hocus-pocus.

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Kit Bowen

Hollywood.com

11/20/2008

3/5

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Marco L

@decatur555 4d

Hearts in Atlantis is a moving and atmospheric Stephen King adaptation, closer to memory, mystery and childhood drama than to pure horror. Anthony Hopkins is excellent as Ted Brautigan, bringing kindness, mystery and quiet sadness to the role, while young Anton Yelchin gives the film its heart with a sensitive and very natural performance. The story has that unmistakable King feeling: a lonely child, a mysterious adult, hidden danger and the discovery that the world is darker than it first appears. It also works as a reflection on suspicion, control and fear of those who are different, without turning that into a heavy speech. It may lack a little more intensity, but it is well acted, emotional and easy to appreciate.

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Caesar P.

@RT04084040 Apr 26

I found this movie to be incredibly moving, especially the scenes where the older man reflects on his hometown. Those moments, along with the darker ones, make this film a powerful exploration of the battle between good and evil.

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Glory K

@Ms.Glory Feb 26

This holds up as well as Stand by Me, perhaps better, when it comes to tackling childhood themes. Despite the sad and dark notes, the overall tone warms your soul.

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Panda F

@White-Wolf Dec 21

I just watched this very old Anthony Hopkins movie and it was a terrific story. I highly recommend it.

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Eric J

@RT48991459 Nov 2

It's 2025 and an old Steven King fan like me just read this book, so I watched the movie. I loved it! If you're like me and read the book yesterday, this movie really is a must-see. It's great to see faithful adaptations of King's books! If you haven't read the book, it might fall a bit flat for you - just being honest. So, go read the book cover-to-cover first, then come back here.

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Jerod S

@jeroduptown Oct 24

A King novel that adapts better than most of his stuff to film. Hopkins comes to town and befriends Bobby, a young boy that shares his psychic powers.

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Scott Hicks

Director

Anthony Hopkins

Ted Brautigan

Anton Yelchin

Bobby Garfield

Hope Davis

Liz Garfield

Mika Boorem

Carol Gerber

David Morse

Adult Bobby Garfield

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Synopsis

Hearts In Atlantis is a drama based on Stephen King's bestseller of the same name. It is the story of a mysterious man (Anthony Hopkins) who enlists the aid of a brilliant young boy (Anton Yelchin) to save his life. This friendship with a mysterious stranger forever changes the way he sees the world.

Director: Scott Hicks
Producer: Kerry Heysen
Screenwriter: William Goldman, Stephen King
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: NPV Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, Village Roadshow Prod.
Rating: PG-13 (Violence|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 28, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 14, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $24.2M
Runtime: 1h 41m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)