The Notebook

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2:13

The Notebook

PG-13

2004

2h 3m

Romance

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

55%

Tomatometer

183 Reviews

85%

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250,000+ Ratings

In the 1940s South Carolina, mill worker Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling) and rich girl Allie (Rachel McAdams) are desperately in love. But her parents don't approve. When Noah goes off to serve in World War II, it seems to mark the end of their love affair. In the interim, Allie becomes involved with another man (James Marsden). But when Noah returns to their small town years later, on the cusp of Allie's marriage, it soon becomes clear that their romance is anything but over.

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Critics Consensus

It's hard not to admire its unabashed sentimentality, but The Notebook is too clumsily manipulative to rise above its melodramatic clichés.

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Scott Tobias

AV Club

Feb 2, 2019

In a romance where paradise is a duck-filled pond, it helps to be mild-mannered.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Feb 2, 2019

1/5

Dentistry in the Renaissance could not have been more painful than watching this.

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Leslie Felperin

The Times (UK)

Feb 2, 2019

A honey-dipped love story with a surprisingly tart aftertaste, The Notebook is a better-than-you'd-expect adaptation of Nicholas Sparks's bestselling novel of the same name.

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Mary Kassel

Screen Rant

Apr 9, 2025

7/10

Romance might not be for everyone, but after more than 20 years, The Notebook holds an undeniable appeal that will convert every cynic.

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Patricia Karounos

Refinery29

Oct 23, 2023

The Notebook is one of those movies that is so sad, you could break out into tears just thinking about it.

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Mark Jackson

Epoch Times

Apr 21, 2023

4/5

A tearjerker? It'll make you cry but it's not manipulative. A chick flick? It's just an inspiring love story that will touch your heart and make you believe true love can last a lifetime and conquer all. Isn't that what we all want?

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Damian

Feb 22, 2026

Absolute classic. Would recommend to any & everyone

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Pablo F

Feb 21, 2026

An incredible classic for the ones that enjoys witnessing true love

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YM

Feb 16, 2026

Cheaters getting away with cheating under the guise of “first loves always triumph”.

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Shayla

Feb 20, 2021

Your review will help others decide whether to watch.

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Arnouvale T

@RT07734306 6 days ago

If you ever had to deal with your lover who you’ve just started dating moving far away, this is gut wrenching. It’s really good and pays attention to detail. This would never ever happen outside of the movie, but it’s really good to observe. Shocked me middle of the movie when I found out how the movie was being told.

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Elie C

@RT59628085 Sep 11, 2026

I highly recommend this movie… it was a great story and very sentimental

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Nick Cassavetes

Director

Ryan Gosling

Noah Calhoun

Rachel McAdams

Allie Hamilton

James Garner

Duke

Gena Rowlands

Allie Calhoun

James Marsden

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Synopsis

In the 1940s South Carolina, mill worker Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling) and rich girl Allie (Rachel McAdams) are desperately in love. But her parents don't approve. When Noah goes off to serve in World War II, it seems to mark the end of their love affair. In the interim, Allie becomes involved with another man (James Marsden). But when Noah returns to their small town years later, on the cusp of Allie's marriage, it soon becomes clear that their romance is anything but over.

Director: Nick Cassavetes
Producer: Mark Johnson, Lynn Harris
Screenwriter: Nick Cassavetes, Jeremy Leven, Nicholas Sparks, Jan Sardi
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Production Co: New Line Cinema, Avery Pix
Rating: PG-13 (Some Sexuality)
Genre: Romance, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 25, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 18, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $81.0M
Runtime: 2h 3m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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