Rotten Tomatoes
Submit search Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Total Recall

Play trailer 2:07 Poster for Total Recall R 1990 1h 49m Sci-Fi Action Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
81% Tomatometer 79 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Douglas Quaid is a bored construction worker in the year 2084 who dreams of visiting colonized Mars. He visits "Rekall," a company that plants false memories into people's brains, in order to experience the thrill of Mars without having to travel there. But something goes wrong during the procedure; Quaid discovers that his entire life is actually a false memory and that the people who implanted it in his head now want him dead.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

Total Recall

Total Recall

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Under Paul Verhoeven's frenetic direction, Total Recall is a fast-paced rush of violence, gore, and humor that never slacks.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Malcolm Knox Sydney Morning Herald Apr 28
Total Recall stands above most of its genre-mates by touching on the complex overlaps between various realities. Go to Full Review
Kevin Maher The Times (UK) 11/20/2020
5/5
Forget about the disposable Colin Farrell remake from 2012. Go to Full Review
David Robinson The Times (UK) 06/23/2020
The film's visual invention is offset by its visceral nastiness. Schwarzenegger's self-deprecatory good humour prevails none the less. Go to Full Review
Patrick Cavanaugh The Wolfman Cometh Sep 11
2/5
It's easy to see how fans of campy, '80s sci-fi hold a soft spot for this, though its more ludicrous components don't entirely stand the test of time. Go to Full Review
Harry Solomons Loud and Clear Reviews 01/08/2025
4.5/5
Total Recall succeeds where hundreds of its contemporaries fail; a sci-fi epic turning grand philosophical questions into undeniable and ludicrous fun. Go to Full Review
Terry Francis Southern Voice (Atlanta) 05/09/2023
1/4
Undoubtedly the film will make millions, but Schwarzenegger still can't act worth a damn and neither he nor anyone associated with the film can ever buy what they don't have -- it's called class. Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
IBMd N @Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 8h Total recall is an ultraviolent, spectacular masterpiece that should be watched by anyone no matter what their taste is. See more Chris S @Janomi 15h Total Recall is one of the smartest science-fiction action films of its era. Paul Verhoeven blends explosive action, dark humor, political satire, and Philip K. Dick's fascinating ideas about memory and identity into a story that constantly keeps you questioning what's real. Even decades later, the central mystery remains just as engaging. Arnold Schwarzenegger is perfectly cast as Douglas Quaid, bringing both action-hero charisma and believable uncertainty as his world unravels. Sharon Stone and Michael Ironside provide memorable support, while Verhoeven's practical effects, creature designs, and vision of Mars still look remarkably impressive. The film's exaggerated style is a big part of its charm. Its over-the-top violence and campy tone won't appeal to everyone, but they're also central to the film's identity. The result is a bold, imaginative sci-fi thriller that's remained a cult classic for good reason. See more Kyle B @puppis435 3d 90’s baby and first time watching Total Recall. Absolutely loved it. Surprisingly good acting, fun plot and at top of list for 90’s sci-fi See more Bruno C P @RT93519273 Jun 5 Great Arnold's movie, as exaggerated as the 80's were! XD See more Justin M. @RT41656336 Jun 4 Still holds up! Great story, the special effects…still rocks! See more Tom F @RT55173143 May 23 For all its faults, it remains entertaining and interesting after all these years. See more Read all reviews
Total Recall

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING
Universal Soldier: The Return 5% 24% Universal Soldier: The Return Watchlist The Running Man 59% 61% The Running Man Watchlist TRAILER for The Running Man RoboCop 84% 84% RoboCop Watchlist Starship Troopers 72% 70% Starship Troopers Watchlist RoboCop 2 31% 37% RoboCop 2 Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Douglas Quaid is a bored construction worker in the year 2084 who dreams of visiting colonized Mars. He visits "Rekall," a company that plants false memories into people's brains, in order to experience the thrill of Mars without having to travel there. But something goes wrong during the procedure; Quaid discovers that his entire life is actually a false memory and that the people who implanted it in his head now want him dead.
Director
Paul Verhoeven
Producer
Buzz Feitshans, Ronald Shusett
Screenwriter
Ronald Shusett, Dan O'Bannon, Philip K. Dick, Jon Povill, Gary Goldman
Distributor
Live Video, Image Entertainment Inc., Artisan Entertainment, TriStar Pictures
Production Co
TriStar Pictures, Carolco Pictures Inc.
Rating
R
Genre
Sci-Fi, Action
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 1, 1990, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Oct 10, 2020
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 26, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$117.8M
Runtime
1h 49m
Sound Mix
Surround, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Dolby SR, Stereo
Aspect Ratio
35mm