Joy

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Joy

PG-13

2015

2h 3m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

61%

Tomatometer

271 Reviews

57%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

A story of a family across four generations, centered on the girl who becomes the woman (Jennifer Lawrence) who founds a business dynasty and becomes a matriarch in her own right. Facing betrayal, treachery, the loss of innocence and the scars of love, Joy becomes a true boss of family and enterprise. Allies become adversaries and adversaries become allies, both inside and outside the family, as Joy's inner life and fierce imagination carry her through the storm she faces.

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Critics Consensus

Joy is anchored by a strong performance from Jennifer Lawrence, although director David O. Russell's uncertain approach to its fascinating fact-based tale only sporadically sparks bursts of the titular emotion.

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Manuel Betancourt

Bitch Media

Feb 9, 2021

Joy pursues a number of ill-fitting narrative detours that detract from the fascinating story that should be at the core of the movie. While I was rooting for the film-and for Joy herself - ultimately it felt like the film missed a key opportunity.

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Udita Jhunjhunwala

Livemint

Aug 15, 2019

This optimistic, often amusing story is a Lawrence show all the way as she flies the flag for feminism, entrepreneurship and family without missing a beat.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Sep 1, 2017

C-

Oh Mr. Russell, you're nothing if not predictable.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Jul 28, 2026

[David] Russell manages to put his stamp on what might otherwise be a conventional biopic and [Jennifer] Lawrence makes Joy another of Russell’s great fighters, rolling with every punch and getting back up for the next round.

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Mel Campbell

ScreenHub

Dec 29, 2025

What makes ‘Joy’ peak Christmas viewing is that its plucky, practical heroine succeeds while carrying her bumbling family … Joy’s best revenge is to blanket them in a snowfall of generosity they know they don’t deserve.

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Josh Slater-Williams

Vague Visages

Nov 14, 2023

A little bit of that magic spread somewhere on Joy's set, since its maestros successfully manage to sell you on a film that's ostensibly about the creation of a cleaning product...

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Frans B

@FransB Sep 17, 2026

Loved it. Director David O. Russell heavily fictionalized the narrative. The movie uses invented family dynamics, combined characters, and dramatic plot points. That said, it is loosely based on the life of Joy Mangano, who invented the self-wringing Miracle Mop, which launched her career and led to many other patents. Jennifer Lawrence absolutely shines in character. Filled with real life challenges, emotion, intrigue, true grit, persistence, drama, suspense and food for thought. Very entertaining and captivating

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Juris O

@Juris100 Jul 30, 2026

At first it’s boring and dull, but in the second half the film becomes interesting.

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Thyaagu C

@Thyaagu Apr 12, 2026

JL Shines bright!! Talk about her ex‑husband being a constant supporter over the years, and her step sister, sharing the same blood, being unsupportive.

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VITALII H

@freakynickison Mar 11, 2026

At first I was very skeptical, not gonna lie but progressively it got so much better that I kinda vanished into this movie. It’s impossible not to root for Joy, she’s so passionate about her invention that she didn’t let anyone stand in her way. I wish I had her confidence and courage, Jennifer did her justice, so well performed, the cast overall was great. I really enjoyed this movie, don’t know why it took me so long to finally watch it, now I did and it was amazing.

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Roger D

@RogerDee Aug 9, 2025

Jennifer Lawrence is amazing in the lead performance and the movie as a whole is solid. But after it ended, I couldn’t help but feel like I needed more, as if something were missing. I can’t quite put my finger on it. But overall, 4/5 movie for me

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Breno G

@RT17565543 May 16, 2025

Special Effects: 1,0/Sound Effects: 1,0/Acting: 0,5/Story: 1,5

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Synopsis

A story of a family across four generations, centered on the girl who becomes the woman (Jennifer Lawrence) who founds a business dynasty and becomes a matriarch in her own right. Facing betrayal, treachery, the loss of innocence and the scars of love, Joy becomes a true boss of family and enterprise. Allies become adversaries and adversaries become allies, both inside and outside the family, as Joy's inner life and fierce imagination carry her through the storm she faces.

Director: David O. Russell
Producer: John Davis, Ken Mok, Megan Ellison, Jonathan Gordon, David O. Russell
Screenwriter: David O. Russell
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Fox 2000 Pictures, 10 by 10 Entertainment, Davis Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Brief Strong Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 2015, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $56.4M
Runtime: 2h 3m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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