The Legend of Billie Jean

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The Legend of Billie Jean

PG-13

1985

1h 36m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

39%

Tomatometer

38 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Restless teenager Billie Jean Davy (Helen Slater) and her brother, Binx (Christian Slater), dream of leaving oppressive Corpus Christi, Texas, for Vermont. When Binx's scooter is trashed by bully Hubie Pyatt (Barry Tubb), Billie Jean goes to ask Hubie's father (Richard Bradford) for $608 for repairs, only to have Mr. Pyatt try to rape her. As she flees, Binx finds Mr. Pyatt's gun and unintentionally shoots him. Billie Jean and her brother go on the run, becoming folk heroes in the process.

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Critics Consensus

Rebellious in spirit and anarchic in style, this Helen Slater-starring vehicle holds a certain youthful cool but is otherwise a disjointed retelling of an oft-repeated legend.

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Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

Nov 17, 2023

Although it's obviously a B picture, The Legend of Billie Jean has quite a lot going for it. The film doesn't get many points for finesse, but it has energy, good performances and more wit than you'd expect.

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Patrick Goldstein

Los Angeles Times

Nov 17, 2023

The film makers may have envisioned Billie Jean as some sort of free-spirited Joan of Arc, but spirit is just one of the many key ingredients missing from this jumbled teen-age fable, enough to try the patience of -- ahem -- a saint.

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Sid Smith

Chicago Tribune

Nov 17, 2023

2/4

Teenagers, who may not have seen this picture's many hero/outlaw predecessors, might like its the pop soundtrack, better-than-average acting and modest punk attire. Everyone else is likely to find Billie Jean the very thing that becomes a legend least.

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Joe Baltake

Philadelphia Daily News

Nov 17, 2023

The plot of this teen revenge fantasy may be hard to swallow, but the movie itself goes down easy, thanks in large part to the presence of stunning Helen Slater, who is totally credible as a young woman turned into an outlaw/heroine.

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Laurie Horn

Miami Herald

Nov 17, 2023

Director Matthew Robbins keeps the pace light, nonviolent, and more entertaining than a made-for-TV movie. The fashion show’s the action.

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Marylynn Uricchio

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Nov 17, 2023

The Legend of Billie Jean comes complete with a stupid ending, but fortunately, the audience has been well prepared.

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S H

@Adam7777 Sep 21, 2026

Teenage angst meets romance, rebellion and intrigue. The Legend of Billie Jean is such a great representation of the ’80s, with a fantastic cast and a story that’s fun, engaging and holds your attention from beginning to end It’s 1980s teenage angst at its best Even after all these years, this movie still holds up. I’ve watched it countless times and still thoroughly enjoy it every single time. A true ’80s classic with the fabulous Pat Benatar providing a lot of the music. A fun film that I highly recommend.

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Justin T.

@RT29681041 Jun 23, 2026

I Loved This Movie Back In The 90's And Recently Rewatched It And Still Love It It Has Amazing Performances But Some Very Talented Actors/Actress A Very Positive Message And Just Enjoyed It All Around Give It A Solid A. 👏

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Bernard D

@BernardBuckeye Mar 25, 2026

Critic reviews are absurd. You want to know what it was like being a high school student in 1985, watch this. A perfect time capsule into the behavior, fashion, language, past times, etc of teen life in 1985.

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Christian K

@ckacar Feb 17, 2026

Pretty enjoyable throughout due to its silliness and setting. I was not aware that Christian Slater had an actress sister that has a noticeable face from many TV shows.

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thiago s

@Thiagostone Sep 15, 2025

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

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L P

@RT43599531 Jul 18, 2025

I really like this movie. People keep saying Christian Slater and Helen Slater brother and sister. They just have the same last name they are not related. They just play siblings in the movie. Which you should watch because it's very good

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Matthew Robbins

Director

Helen Slater

Billie Jean

Keith Gordon

Lloyd

Christian Slater

Binx

Richard Bradford

Pyatt

Peter Coyote

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Synopsis

Restless teenager Billie Jean Davy (Helen Slater) and her brother, Binx (Christian Slater), dream of leaving oppressive Corpus Christi, Texas, for Vermont. When Binx's scooter is trashed by bully Hubie Pyatt (Barry Tubb), Billie Jean goes to ask Hubie's father (Richard Bradford) for $608 for repairs, only to have Mr. Pyatt try to rape her. As she flees, Binx finds Mr. Pyatt's gun and unintentionally shoots him. Billie Jean and her brother go on the run, becoming folk heroes in the process.

Director: Matthew Robbins
Production Co: Guber-Peters Company
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 19, 1985, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2012
Runtime: 1h 36m
Sound Mix: Stereo, Surround

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