The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension

1984, Sci-fi, 1h 43m

42 Reviews 10,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Sci-fi parodies like these usually struggle to work, but Buckaroo Banzai succeeds through total devotion to its own lunacy. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

Buckaroo Banzai is caught with his trusted allies, the Hong Kong Cavaliers, in a battle to the death between evil red aliens and good black aliens from Planet 10. Led by demonic dictator John Whorfin, who has taken over the body of Italian scientist Dr. Emilio Lizardo, the aliens try to get the Overthruster back from Buckaroo Banzai. But the good black aliens are willing to destroy Earth rather than let these renegades return to their planet.
  • Rating:
    PG
  • Genre:
    Sci-fi
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    W.D. Richter
  • Producer:
    Neil Canton, W.D. Richter
  • Writer:
    Earl Mac Rauch
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    20th Century Fox
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround, Dolby Stereo, Dolby A, Stereo
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Peter Weller
Buckaroo Banzai
John Lithgow
Doctor Emilio Lizardo, Lord John Whorfin
Ellen Barkin
Penny Priddy
Jeff Goldblum
New Jersey
Christopher Lloyd
John Bigboote
Lewis Smith
Perfect Tommy
Rosalind Cash
John Emdall
Robert Ito
Professor Hikita
Pepe Serna
Reno Nevada
Ronald Lacey
President Widmark
Matt Clark
Secretary of Defense
Clancy Brown
Rawhide
William Traylor
General Catburd
Carl Lumbly
John Parker
Vincent Schiavelli
John O'Connor
Dan Hedaya
John Gomez
Mariclare Costello
Senator Cunningham
Yakov Smirnoff
National Security Advisor
Billy Vera
Pinky Carruthers
Jonathan Banks
Lizardo Hospital Guard
W.D. Richter
Director
Earl Mac Rauch
Writer
Sidney Beckerman
Executive Producer
Neil Canton
Producer
Dennis E. Jones
Associate Producer
W.D. Richter
Producer
Michael Boddicker
Original Music
Fred J. Koenekamp
Cinematography
George Bowers
Film Editing
Richard Marks
Film Editing
Terry Liebling
Casting
J. Michael Riva
Production Design
Rick Carter
Art Director
Stephen Dane
Art Director
Linda DeScenna
Set Decoration
Aggie Guerard Rodgers
Costume Design
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Critic Reviews for The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension

All Critics (42) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (28) | Rotten (14)
Full Review… Richard Corliss TIME Magazine Full Review… Geoff Andrew Time Out Full Review… Variety Staff Variety Full Review… Vincent Canby New York Times Full Review… Marjorie Baumgarten Austin Chronicle Full Review… Joel E. Siegel Washington City Paper Full Review… Jason Shawhan Nashville Scene Full Review… Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Full Review… Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Full Review… Richard Freedman Newhouse News Service Full Review… Austin Trunick Under the Radar Full Review… Rob Vaux Mania.com
View All Critic Reviews (42)

Audience Reviews for The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension

  • May 10, 2015
    crazy high concept film that died a horrible death at the box office thanks to some mishandling by the studio when it came to marketing. I really enjoyed the film and would've loved to have seen the sequel had the film done well enough. The cast is impressive and just how this film was made is really impressive. I had to hunt this film down and was extremely happy when the credits arrived, just watching that title credits alone is worth the watch. Peter Weller you have always been one of my favourite actors, criminally underrated.
    Brendan N Super Reviewer
  • Sep 06, 2012
    Cult movies are called that because they appeal a small niche of viewers whose adoration borders on obsession. The <i>Buckaroo Banzai</i> cultists have to be among the most inscrutable; I have kept an open mind for brainwashing three times and have deflected each attempt, never managing to complete a single indoctrination. I haven't ruled out a fourth salvo yet though.
    Doctor S Super Reviewer
  • Sep 03, 2012
    I hate to give anything a negative review that features the likes of Peter Weller and John Lithgow so prominently, but this film is kind of a disaster. I'm not opposed to camp, but it should actually be funny instead of just awkward.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
  • Apr 24, 2012
    Insane Dr. Lizado and his alien allies try to steal the secret of eighth dimensional travel from neurosurgeon/secret agent Buckaroo Banzai and his band of rock and roll scientists. It's pleasantly campy and crazy and features some great throwaway lines; the one problem is that star Peter Weller is far too reserved to play the larger-than-life Buckaroo. Jeff Goldblum is underutilized as a New Jersey cowboy sidekick; if the casting department had switched Weller and Glodblum's roles they could have made a masterpiece.
    Greg S Super Reviewer
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