Stripes

Critics Consensus

A raucous military comedy that features Bill Murray and his merry cohorts approaching the peak of their talents.

86%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 36

79%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 53,013
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Movie Info

A charming, self-elected leader winds up commanding an outfit of misfits.

Cast

Bill Murray
as John
Harold Ramis
as Russell Ziskey
Warren Oates
as Sgt. Hulka
P.J. Soles
as Stella
Sean Young
as Louise
John Candy
as Ox
John Larroquette
as Capt. Stillman
Judge Reinhold
as Elmo
John Voldstad
as Aide
John Diehl
as Cruiser
Lance Le Gault
as Col. Glass
Roberla Leighton
as Anita
Roberta Leighton
as Anita
Conrad Dunn
as Psycho
Antone Pagan
as Hector
Glenn-Michael Jones
as Leon
William Lucking
as Recruiter
Fran Ryan
as Dowager
Joe Flaherty
as Guard
Nick Toth
as Guard
Robin Klein
as Cheerleader
Dave Thomas
as Master of Ceremonies
Robert Klein
as Cheerleader
Robert J. Wilke
as Gen. Barnicke
Bob Wilke
as Gen. Barnicke
Lois Areno
as Stillman's Girl Friend
Samuel Briggs
as Corporal
Joseph X. Flaherty
as Sgt. Crocker
Hershel B. Harlson
as Shoeshine Man
Timothy Busfield
as Soldier with Mortar
Solomon Schmidt
as Store Owner
Craig Schaefer
as Soldier Outside Motor Pool
Arkady Rakhman
as Immigrant
Pamela Bowman
as Cruiser's Girl
Gino Gottarelli
as Russian Officer
Gene Scherer
as Russian Officer
Dawn Clark
as Mud Wrestler
Juanita Merritt
as Mud Wrestler
Susan Mechsner
as Mud Wrestler
Sue Bowser
as Mud Wrestler
Linda Dupree
as Mud Wrestler
Leslie Henderson
as Mud Wrestler
Gerald J. Counts
as Russian Soldier
Yetim Buntsis
as Russian Soldier
Semyon Veyts
as Russian Soldier
Larry R. Gillette
as Russian Soldier
Larry Gillette
as Russian Soldier
Glen Leigh Marshall
as Russian Soldier
Dale Prince
as Russian Soldier
Larry Odell Lane
as Soldier
Joyce D. Helmus
as Soldier
David A. Mullins
as Soldier
Bruce E. Ellis
as Soldier
David D. Platko
as Soldier
Phillip A. Urbansky
as Soldier
Philip A. Urbansky
as Soldier
William R. Sykes
as Soldier
Bill Paxton
as Soldier
J.A. Crawford
as Soldier
Michael Flynn
as Soldier
Norman Mont-Eton
as Policeman
Mark S. Markowicz
as Policeman
Jeff Viola
as Policeman
Robert Dulaine
as Policeman
Nancy Brock
as Actor
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News & Interviews for Stripes

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Critic Reviews for Stripes

All Critics (36) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (31) | Rotten (5)

  • The premise and star remain out of whack until the rambling, diffuse screenplay finally struggles beyond basic training.

    Dec 18, 2015 | Full Review…

    Gary Arnold

    Washington Post
    Top Critic

  • Stripes will keep potential felons off the streets for two hours. Few people seem to be asking, these days, that movies do more.

    Oct 5, 2008 | Full Review…
    TIME Magazine
    Top Critic

  • The balance of the film consists of time-tested commercial material, most of which is still working fine.

    Apr 1, 2008 | Full Review…

    Dave Kehr

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

  • [Reitmam] manages a reasonable success rate at pulling off the numerous verbal and sight gags with which the script is peppered.

    Feb 9, 2006 | Full Review…
    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • An anarchic slob movie, a celebration of all that is irreverent, reckless, foolhardy, undisciplined, and occasionally scatological. It's a lot of fun.

    Oct 23, 2004 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

    Roger Ebert

    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic

  • Mr. Murray hasn't yet reached the point at which his routines can be sustained for more than 10 minutes at a time. But he has achieved a sardonically exaggerated calm that can be very entertaining.

    Aug 30, 2004 | Rating: 3/5

    Janet Maslin

    New York Times
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (36)

Audience Reviews for Stripes

  • Mar 01, 2012
    "There's something wrong with us, something very, very wrong with us..." Stripes is a classic Bill Murray film that showcases his irreverent humor and brilliant comedic talent. Ivan Reitman directs this '80s screwball comedy about a group of misfits that must come together as a unit in order to pass basic training. In addition to Bill Murray, the comedic talents of Harold Ramis, John Candy, John Larroquette, and Judge Reinhold round out the supporting cast. One problematic issue with this film is its 80s R rated comedy style, which includes some gratuity and sexcapades that seem forced into the story. But for the most part, Stripes hold up as a strong comedic film and a fun romp.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Feb 01, 2012
    Funny and entertaining, Ivan Reitman's picture have great comedians on the screen, in hilarious situations, but present a kind of boring ending for a terrific 80's comedy classic.
    Lucas M Super Reviewer
  • Nov 20, 2011
    Murray's best early film performance is still a very entertaining watch.
    Graham J Super Reviewer
  • Sep 20, 2011
    This movie was quite a lot of fun. It's Bill Murray being pretty great for about 100 minutes. The movie does sort of peak at the graduation ceremony, before they go to Italy. It becomes goofier than it had been previously, but it's still an immensely entertaining movie. That's all I have to say quite frankly. It's streaming on Netflix, so you can't really go wrong with this movie.
    Jesse O Super Reviewer
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