The Bucket List

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The Bucket List

PG-13

2008

1h 37m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

40%

Tomatometer

176 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Billionaire Edward Cole and car mechanic Carter Chambers are complete strangers, until fate lands them in the same hospital room. The men find they have two things in common: a need to come to terms with who they are and what they have done with their lives, and a desire to complete a list of things they want to see and do before they die. Against their doctor's advice, the men leave the hospital and set out on the adventure of a lifetime.

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Critics Consensus

Not even the earnest performances of the two leads can rescue The Bucket List from its schmaltzy script.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

08/23/2018

As Rob Reiner should know better and Jack Nicholson should know better and Morgan Freeman should know better, what you have here is a film which has to make you ask: how come they didn't?

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Alonso Duralde

MSNBC

05/01/2008

2/5

... plays like Ingmar Bergman's Wild Strawberries, reimagined as an uninspired sitcom and travelogue.

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Jonathan F. Richards

Film.com

01/15/2008

You get the performances you expect from these two great stars, which lift this story mercifully but marginally above its meager content.

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Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

07/31/2024

5/10

If there is a message to be found in this 2007 comedy, which was directed by Rob Reiner, it is that if you are going to be diagnosed with terminal cancer then you will be better off if you are enormously rich.

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Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

01/31/2021

2.5/5

In the end it's a predictable movie that seems to try and manipulate the viewer into bursting into tears when really he or she might only be trying to suppress yawns.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

11/24/2020

8/10

One of the most fun and uplifting films of the year.

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Mickey B.

@Mickerdoo Apr 25

I’m a sucker for a live your life movie. Heartwarming and sad. Freeman is easy to enjoy.

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Mitchell S

@Mitchstur Mar 3

It may be a sad story, but it's also funny and charming and in depth. The two leads have incredible chemistry, and it leaves you with a good amount of substance at the end.

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James E.

@JamesE167 Mar 2

This is a sweet film, though it’s a bit on the simple side of the conversation, which may not be the best approach for the topic being addressed.

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Aileen D

@RT17276951 Jan 4

This is one of the few times that I disagree with a Roger Ebert review. Yes,The Bucket List might have skipped over some of the physical trauma issues a cancer patient may suffer, but on the other hand, it dealt with some of the ensuing life and death questions with sensitivity and humor. The film was a wonderful vehicle for two actors at the top of their game, who because of a fine script and Rob Reiner’s sure direction, could make you laugh and re-examine what your own life priorities are.

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David L

@davidonfilm Dec 16

The chemistry and of Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman really elevates this film and makes more entertaining than it has any right to be. Everytime I listen to John Mayer's beautiful song "Say" I'll now think of Rob Reiner. Rest in peace.

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Riccardo G

@RT59216447 Nov 26

My favorite movie of all time. Very strong message throughout. It makes me laugh and cry everytime. All of these "experts" have absolutely 0 clue what they are talking about.

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Rob Reiner

Director

Jack Nicholson

Edward Cole

Morgan Freeman

Carter Chambers

Sean Hayes

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Rob Morrow

Dr. Hollins

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Synopsis

Billionaire Edward Cole and car mechanic Carter Chambers are complete strangers, until fate lands them in the same hospital room. The men find they have two things in common: a need to come to terms with who they are and what they have done with their lives, and a desire to complete a list of things they want to see and do before they die. Against their doctor's advice, the men leave the hospital and set out on the adventure of a lifetime.

Director: Rob Reiner
Producer: Craig Zadan, Neil Meron, Alan Greisman
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Bros., Two Ton Films, Storyline Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Language|A Sexual Reference)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 11, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 13, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $93.5M
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)