The Kings of Summer

2013

The Kings of Summer

Critics Consensus

Thanks to charming performances and endearingly off-kilter spirit, The Kings of Summer proves to be a slight, sweet entry in the crowded coming-of-age genre.

75%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 118

77%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 22,488
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The Kings of Summer Photos

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Movie Info

Premiering to rave reviews at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, THE KINGS OF SUMMER is a unique coming-of-age comedy about three teenage friends - Joe (Nick Robinson), Patrick (Gabriel Basso) and the eccentric and unpredictable Biaggio (Moises Arias) - who, in the ultimate act of independence, decide to spend their summer building a house in the woods and living off the land. Free from their parents' rules, their idyllic summer quickly becomes a test of friendship as each boy learns to appreciate the fact that family - whether it is the one you're born into or the one you create - is something you can't run away from. (c) CBS Films
  • Rating:
    R (for language and some teen drinking)
  • Genre:
    Comedy
  • Directed By:
    Jordan Vogt-Roberts
  • Written By:
    Chris Galletta
  • In Theaters:
     limited
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Box Office:
    $1,300,000
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    CBS Films

Cast

Nick Robinson
as Joe
Gabriel Basso
as Patrick
Moises Arias
as Biaggio
Nick Offerman
as Frank Toy
Alison Brie
as Heather Toy
Megan Mullally
as Mrs. Keenan
Mary Lynn Rajskub
as Captain Davis
Erin Moriarty (II)
as Kelly
Craig Cackowski
as Mr. Larson
William Sonnie
Nathan Keyes
as Paul
Priscilla Kaczuk
Cristoffer Carter
Marc Evan Jackson
as Mr. Keenan
Eugene Cordero
as Colin
Thomas Middleditch
as Rookie Cop
Lili Reinhart
as Vicki
Austin Abrams
as Aaron
Paul Floriano
as Italian Man
Brian Sacca
as No Sideburns
Peter Karinen
as No Sideburns' Friend
Tony Hale
as Bus Passenger
Hannibal Buress
as Bus Driver
Kumail Nanjiani
as Delivery Guy
Jeffrey Grover
as Detective
Eric Wasserman
as Second Detective
Nicholas Rutherford
as Visor
Angela Trimbur
as FacePaint
Jennifer Lindgren
Michael Cipiti
as Biaggio's Dad
Gillian Vigman
as Carol
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News & Interviews for The Kings of Summer

Digital Multiplex: After Earth, Only God Forgives, and More
Critics Consensus: After Earth is Lost in Space
Video Interviews with the Cast of Kings of Summer
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Critic Reviews for The Kings of Summer

All Critics (118) | Top Critics (38) | Fresh (89) | Rotten (29)

  • A confusing experience.

    November 19, 2019 | Rating: 1.2/5 | Full Review…

    David Harris

    Spectrum Culture
    Top Critic

  • With wild, reckless abandon, the sweetness of friendship and first rumblings of affection, The Kings of Summer does manage to evoke the bloom of angsty adolescence.

    August 20, 2019 | Full Review…

    Nicholas Bell

    IONCINEMA.com
    Top Critic

  • The cast's spot-on performances are worth the price of admission, but I can't help but think how great the film could have been, if only it were more comfortable in its own skin.

    April 15, 2019 | Rating: 6.8/10 | Full Review…

    Bernard Boo

    Way Too Indie
    Top Critic

  • Satisfying enough with flashes of brilliance from both the teenage characters and the filmmakers to believe there's a spectacularly bright future for all ahead.

    November 30, 2018 | Full Review…

    Stephen Saito

    Moveable Fest
    Top Critic

  • Some of the best comedies these days can be found in the indie market and, whilst Kings of Summer isn't one of the better ones, it is enjoyable.

    November 1, 2018 | Rating: 7/10 | Full Review…

    Jennifer Heaton

    Alternative Lens
    Top Critic

  • It's a simple story that fails to transcend meaningfully.

    August 22, 2018 | Full Review…

    Asia Frey

    Lagniappe (Mobile, AL)
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (118)

Audience Reviews for The Kings of Summer

  • Sep 18, 2015
    In "The Kings of Summer," Joe(Nick Robinson) feels virtually trapped in the house with his widowed father(Nick Offerman), with only brief reprieves from visits by his older sister Heather(Alison Brie). Joe's friend Patrick(Gabriel Basso) is little help. It's not so much his foot injury but his parents'(Megan Mullaly and Marc Evan Jackson) overreaction to such. But Joe does have an idea to free both of them which involves the local forest, with a little help from the mysterious Biaggio(Moises Arias). "The Kings of Summer" is an evocative coming of age movie that makes a convincing argument for teenagers needing their freedom. At the same time, there is a good cast on hand, especially the adults(I think I might be finally warming up to Nick Offerman) who do not overshadow any of the youngsters. It is also so well photographed that the slow motion interludes are not annoying. But as satisfying as the movie is emotionally, it does not quite work as well on a physical level.
    Walter M Super Reviewer
  • Jun 13, 2015
    This movie drowns itself in annoying quirkiness. The leads are talented, but the film is a bland coming-of-age tale that is nowhere near as poignant or fun as the similar The Way Way Back. Catch that instead and leave this trying to hard to be hipster and cool movie on the backburner. Rating: 43
    Bradley J Super Reviewer
  • Dec 19, 2014
    The kind of refreshing and funny indie dramedy tailor-made to charm everyone at Sundance, with its share of indie clichés and a director who seems very eager to show that he can direct, and it is worth seeing especially because of Nick Offerman and Moises Arias, both hilarious.
    Carlos M Super Reviewer
  • Jan 24, 2014
    The Kings of Summer is an instant classic, just became one of my all time favorites. Chris Galletta wrote an amazing story and Jordan Vogt-Roberts did an amazing job bringing it to life. Pretty extraordinary that this is actually both their first time working on a full length film. It had me laughing in the first 10 mins, THAT's how you do comedy. And whenever you thought the movie was gonna slow down.. it picked back up. It evokes the adventurer in all of us. Go watch it, don't miss out.
    Chris H Super Reviewer
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