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Boys

Play trailer Poster for Boys PG-13 1996 1h 26m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
15% Tomatometer 27 Reviews 26% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Fed up with boarding school and frustrated with the way others have planned his life, John Baker Jr. (Lukas Haas) wants a change — anything to shake up his staid routine. The moment arrives when he stumbles upon a woman, Patty Vare (Winona Ryder), unconscious in a field. Deciding to risk it, John takes her to his dorm to look after her, much to the disapproval of his friends. John's decision proves fateful as he and Patty grow close to one another. However, she may be keeping secrets from him.
Boys

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Winona Ryder's femme fatale proves to be a blank cipher in Boys, a mystery with an intriguing hook that quickly fizzles into teenage ennui.

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Critics Reviews

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Anne Billson Daily Telegraph (UK) Nov 22, 2017
Stacy Cochran wrote and directed and I fell asleep. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety Jan 14, 2011
As vague and unfocused as its title. Go to Full Review Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Jan 14, 2011
The actors do a nice job of investing it all with a certain conviction, and there's a fairy-tale tinge to some of the action that gives it a certain charm. Go to Full Review TV Guide Jan 14, 2011
2.5/4
What begins as an edgy examination of sheltered, selfish kids making stupid choices devolves into a ludicrously mannered celebration of adolescent rebellion. Go to Full Review Laura Clifford Reeling Reviews Feb 2, 2008
2/5
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Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Oct 5, 2026 Boys is a 1.5 star Movie! See more Stephen C @bob25009 Dec 30, 2025 The worldwide gross is $516,349.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more steve d @RT35616104 Jul 7, 2020 Winona Ryder is as good as ever but the script has nothing to offer. See more Apr 8, 2020 Winona Ryder is one of the best actresses, but her talent is wasted in this dull and uninspired film. See more Apr 13, 2015 I love these couples of pretty Ryder and charming Haas....can't forget the romances See more Aug 19, 2013 I literally cried after seeing this movie, it's THE love story I wish I had in my life, Winona's character is realistic and the circumstances as well, I watch it once in awhile because I don't want to lose the feelings I get when I watch it like I had when I first watched it, my favorite film. See more Read all reviews
Boys

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Stacy Cochran

Director

Winona Ryder

Patty Vare

Lukas Haas

John Baker Jr.

Skeet Ulrich

Bud Valentine

John C. Reilly

Officer Kellogg Curry

Bill Sage

Officer Bill Martone

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Boys

Boys (1996) Boys (1996) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Fed up with boarding school and frustrated with the way others have planned his life, John Baker Jr. (Lukas Haas) wants a change — anything to shake up his staid routine. The moment arrives when he stumbles upon a woman, Patty Vare (Winona Ryder), unconscious in a field. Deciding to risk it, John takes her to his dorm to look after her, much to the disapproval of his friends. John's decision proves fateful as he and Patty grow close to one another. However, she may be keeping secrets from him.
Director
Stacy Cochran
Producer
Paul Feldsher, Peter Frankfurt, Erica Huggins
Screenwriter
Stacy Cochran
Distributor
Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co
Touchstone Pictures, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Interscope Communications
Rating
PG-13 (Some Sexuality|Language|Drug Content)
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 10, 1996, Wide
Release Date (DVD)
Sep 8, 1998
Box Office (Gross USA)
$513.8K
Runtime
1h 26m
Sound Mix
Surround
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