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The Paper

Play trailer Poster for The Paper R 1994 1h 50m Drama Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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86% Tomatometer 37 Reviews 67% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Henry Hackett (Michael Keaton) is an editor at the New York Sun, a tabloid paper facing financial cuts. His pregnant wife, Martha (Marisa Tomei), pleads with him to get a more respectable job so he can spend more time with his family. Hackett is considering an offer from another paper, with fewer hours and higher pay, when he gets his hottest story in years. When this scoop leads to a burst of violence and a conflict with his new boss, Alicia (Glenn Close), he faces a startling moment of truth.
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The Paper

The Paper

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Fast and frenetic, The Paper captures the energy of the newsroom thanks to its cast and director on first-rate form.

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Critics Reviews

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Jason Bailey Flavorwire May 3, 2016
The inside-baseball feel of the newsroom material (co-writer Stephen Koepp did time in the trenches) is what makes 'The Paper' sing. Go to Full Review Rick Groen Globe and Mail Apr 12, 2002
The picture starts to fall in love with its subject -- head- over-heels in love, until the acid drains from the wit and there's nothing left but sentimental ooze. Go to Full Review Peter Travers Rolling Stone Jun 6, 2001
It's all slick, fizzy fun. But the film's fighting spirit gets snatched. Go to Full Review Jon Negroni InBetweenDrafts Sep 3, 2025
6/10
If you go in expecting the second coming of Michael Scott, you might end up asking for a retraction. Go to Full Review Jeff Simon Buffalo News Feb 29, 2024
3/5
A smart and entertaining movie, not an important one. Go to Full Review Eleanor O'Sullivan Asbury Park Press (NJ) Feb 29, 2024
3.5/4
A brilliantly brittle and funny movie about a New York tabloid. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jason C @Jasontomatoes Aug 28, 2026 One of the most underrated movies I’ve ever seen. Cast was phenomenal. Writing superb. Michael Keaton at his very best. See more Meri S. @mschroeder May 3, 2026 A bit too loud of a movie; a lot of yelling. But stellar cast. See more Lisa T @RT11864046 Apr 19, 2026 A-list cast that makes me nostalgic for the 90s. The pacing was a bit frantic throughout and I wouldn't have minded a bit of room to catch my breath. This film is worth the watch and is a fun glimpse into the newspaper world and what it means to have journalistic integrity. See more Jerod S @jeroduptown Mar 28, 2026 A Who's Who of 90s actors are running around in the frenzy of papers, headlines, marketing and justice. See more Matt L @Mattliptak Mar 13, 2026 The Paper is a fast-moving newsroom drama where the entire cast shines under the direction of Ron Howard. Michael Keaton is terrific as always, driving the story through a frantic 24-hour race to get the news right before deadline. Sharp, energetic, and highly entertaining from start to finish. See more Janice S @RT63728728 Sep 21, 2025 Absolutely loved this show! Well written and with heart! Domhnall Gleeson is the perfect lead for this role. See more Read all reviews
The Paper

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Ron Howard

Director

Michael Keaton

Henry Hackett, Metro Editor New York Sun

Glenn Close

Alicia Clark, Managing Editor New York Sun

Robert Duvall

Bernie White, Editor New York Sun

Randy Quaid

Michael McDougal

Jason Robards

Graham Keighley

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The Paper

The Paper (1994) The Paper (1994) The Paper (1994) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Henry Hackett (Michael Keaton) is an editor at the New York Sun, a tabloid paper facing financial cuts. His pregnant wife, Martha (Marisa Tomei), pleads with him to get a more respectable job so he can spend more time with his family. Hackett is considering an offer from another paper, with fewer hours and higher pay, when he gets his hottest story in years. When this scoop leads to a burst of violence and a conflict with his new boss, Alicia (Glenn Close), he faces a startling moment of truth.
Director
Ron Howard
Producer
Brian Grazer, Frederick Zollo
Screenwriter
David Koepp, Stephen Koepp
Distributor
Argentina Video Home, Universal Pictures
Production Co
Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment
Rating
R
Genre
Drama, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 18, 1994, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 28, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$36.6M
Runtime
1h 50m
Sound Mix
Stereo, DTS
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