That Thing You Do!

1996, Comedy/Drama, 1h 50m

61 Reviews 100,000+ Ratings

critics consensus

A light, sweet, and thoroughly entertaining debut for director Tom Hanks, That Thing You Do! makes up in charm what it lacks in complexity. Read critic reviews

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That Thing You Do! Photos

That Thing You Do! (1996)

That Thing You Do! (1996)

That Thing You Do! (1996)

That Thing You Do! (1996)

That Thing You Do! (1996)

That Thing You Do! (1996)

That Thing You Do! (1996)

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Movie Info

Wily band manager Mr. White helps a small town band achieve big time success when they release a Beatles-style pop song in 1964. Pennsylvania band the "Oneders" become a sensation after their drummer breaks his arm, and is replaced by jazz enthusiast, Guy Patterson, who injects something a bit different into their music.

Rating:

PG
Genre:

Comedy, Drama
Original Language:

English
Director:

Tom Hanks
Producer:

Gary Goetzman, Jonathan Demme, Edward Saxon
Writer:

Tom Hanks
Release Date (Theaters):

Oct 4, 1996 original
Release Date (Streaming):

May 8, 2007
Box Office (Gross USA):

$25.9M
Runtime:

1h 50m
Distributor:

20th Century Fox
Sound Mix:

Surround

Cast & Crew

Tom Everett Scott
Guy "Skitch" "Shades" Patterson

Liv Tyler
Faye Dolan

Johnathon Schaech
Jimmy Mattingly

Steve Zahn
Lenny Haise

Ethan Embry
T. B. Player

Tom Hanks
Mr. White

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Critic Reviews for That Thing You Do!

All Critics (61) | Top Critics (21) | Fresh (57) | Rotten (4)

Full Review… Duane Byrge Hollywood Reporter

Full Review… Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly

Full Review… Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader

Full Review… Desson Thomson Washington Post

Full Review… Emanuel Levy Variety

Full Review… Geoff Andrew Time Out

Full Review… Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault

Full Review… David Nusair Reel Film Reviews

Full Review… Federico Furzan Cinelipsis

Full Review… Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies

Full Review… J. Olson Cinemixtape

Full Review… James Plath Family Home Theater

View All Critic Reviews (61)

Audience Reviews for That Thing You Do!

Nov 12, 2014

Finger-snapping, head-bopping fun! Tom Everett Scott is effortlessly cool with his ugly-sexy mug, and Liv Tyler is luminous and effervescent. Steve Zahn looks suave and uncharacteristically the most grown up of the bunch. The O-nedders. Hyuk.

Alice S Super Reviewer
Apr 15, 2012

Really great movie with a lot of great storytelling and character. So many up and coming talent and Hanks really shows a skill for directing and screenwriting. I didn't expect to like this film so much and I can't express how much I liked this film, something with heart doesn't come along that often.

Brendan N Super Reviewer
Dec 06, 2011

Rarely is it the case when a movie's soundtrack is more popular than the movie itself, but this is one of them. Even with that said though, even if the music were nothing special you'd still have a pretty darn entertaining film- simple, earnest and full of wit and likable characters

Tedd P Super Reviewer
Sep 20, 2010

I can't explain why I enjoy this movie so much. Yet it seems every time it is on TV, and it is on quite often, I always enjoy watching as much of it as I can, no matter which scene I happen to catch. There are only a few movies that do this to me. It must just be a reflection of me. Let's pretend it is due to an unhealthy appreciation of Steve Zahn, and leave it at that. But even so, this a fun fun toe tapping good romp of a time! ! Doesn't hurt that it is chock full of fantastic actors, too. :)

Cynthia S Super Reviewer

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