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That Thing You Do!
That Thing You Do!
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That Thing You Do!

That Thing You Do!

1996
Comedy, Drama
1h 48m
A Pennsylvania band scores a hit in 1964 and rides the star-making machinery as long as it can, with lots of help from its manager. (imdb)

Directed by:

Tom Hanks

Screenwriter:

Tom Hanks

Starring:

Tom Everett Scott, Tom Hanks, Liv Tyler, Charlize Theron, Giovanni Ribisi, Kevin Pollak, Steve Zahn, Johnathon Schaech, Bill Cobbs, Obba Babatundé, Colin Hanks, Warren Berlinger

Genres:

Comedy, Drama, Music

Country:

USA

Language:

English
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That Thing You Do!

1996
Comedy, Drama
1h 48m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 46.21% from 2449 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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paxtonPaxton
Rated 02 Jan 2020
69
60th
How do you enter into writing a song that you're supposed to get sick of by the end of the movie. It has to be catchy yet cloying has to be the worst producer's note of all time. I'll be honest, I mostly just remember that guy injuring his crotch on a parking meter (I really hope that happens in this).
Rated 02 Jan 2020
spleenspleen
Rated 20 Jun 2013
73
50th
In 1964, a band forms one afternoon, write one song, play it at a local band contest, build a fanbase (off that one song), get a record deal(based on that one song), appear in movies and tv (playing that one song) and ultimately disband. Not bad overall though. I just wish I could remember what the heck the name of that song was.
Rated 20 Jun 2013
ruloaasruloaas
Rated 30 Jun 2008
10
12th
Boring
Rated 30 Jun 2008
critickerkawcritickerkaw
Rated 03 Mar 2008
100
97th
Another of my very-favorite films. This is pure sunshine!
Rated 03 Mar 2008
gtown1479gtown1479
Rated 20 Feb 2008
81
74th
I like this movie. Have no clue who half the cast is. Whatever happened to the kid who plays the drums. But all in all its a good movie with a great soundtrack. Works for me. I like Hankie in this too.
Rated 20 Feb 2008
recklessmessrecklessmess
Rated 11 Feb 2008
78
65th
This was a pretty assuming effort by Tom Hanks which never gets overlooked. I learned a major moral and lesson regarding irony in the music industry...There was no harmless fluff here. That was pretty nice.
Rated 11 Feb 2008
hellsditchhellsditch
Rated 11 Feb 2008
79
56th
Funny, unassuming effort by Hanks. Not sure why it gets overlooked so much. No major moral or lesson to be learned...just some harmless fluff, which is nice once in a while.
Rated 11 Feb 2008
krmrkrmr
Rated 31 Oct 2007
83
58th
There really isn't much to dislike about it, just good old wholesome movie watching. I don't know why Tom Hanks hasn't directed more movies.
Rated 31 Oct 2007
lifeandalllifeandall
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
37th
Okay for a Saturday afternoon viewing. Insteresting, a little Beatle era, but not the best.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
svicciarellisvicciarelli
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
21st
Liked it when I first saw it, but it's one of those that doesn't last in the mind
Rated 14 Aug 2007
lachapellelachapelle
Rated 14 Aug 2007
65
25th
Cute movie, utterly forgetable except for that ear-worm f a song. One hit wonder band's rise and fall. Worth seeing at least once.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
warlockwarlock
Rated 09 Apr 2007
70
47th
I was surprised at how catchy that song was and how I didn't mind it being played multiple times during the movie. The movie itself was quite entertaining as well!
Rated 09 Apr 2007
eveeluneveelun
Rated 17 Feb 2007
55
14th
To be fair, it's an inoffensive tribute to rock sensations of the 60s that didn't really win me over or turn me off. What did bug me, though, was the theme song (heard many times throughout the movie) that became pretty grating.
Rated 17 Feb 2007
jpfergusonJPFerguson
Rated 09 Dec 2023
60
55th
Definitely captures the spirit of Beatlmania, and I was also smitten with Liv Tyler at this age (I was 11 in 1996). And, of course, I can never resist the cinematic energy of Steve Zahn.
Rated 09 Dec 2023
hawkinsHawkins
Rated 03 Dec 2023
71
47th
Cute fun carried by a surprisingly catchy faux pop hit. Between this and the recent Elvis biopic it seems that Hanks relishes the idea of being a pop music kingmaker. "That Thing You Do!" is coincidentally also the only direction given to Steve Zahn in this movie, who is at his Zahniest here.
Rated 03 Dec 2023
saudadesaudade
Rated 14 Mar 2023
28
13th
Someone please hide Tom Hanks' thousand typewriters.
Rated 14 Mar 2023
joelwatchesmoviesjoelwatchesmovies
Rated 02 Sep 2022
6
42nd
It has low stakes and little weight, yet that thing it does where it applies the typical biopic rise and fall narrative to a fictional one-hit wonder band, some of whom don't even get names, never mind character depth (we love you, TB), is uniquely engaging in its paradigmatic plot. It's easy watching and funny in a very fun way (mostly thanks to goofball Lenny), and even has a sudden and poetic dramatic moment that somehow fits ("Shame on me for kissing you with my eyes closed so tight").
Rated 02 Sep 2022
war_machineWar Machine
Rated 13 May 2022
55
14th
LolLivfreakingonradio-rest+kindahardtopayattention+ritawilsonsexywaitresslol+main/liv/fightbreakupforsomereasonlol+iquitsonglool+drummerrecordedwithjazzidolthengotwithLivlol
Rated 13 May 2022
sopachuco13sopachuco13
Rated 22 Feb 2022
70
36th
That Thing You Do! is a very memorable movie for me. It was one of those movies I saw at the small town movie theater where I lived. It was full of people who would become some of my favorite actors of all time. It's funny, charming, and relatable. Looking back at the movie I realize that the middle isn't very interesting. The title song gets played a bit too much, even though it is a catchy song (Hell! It was actually a top 40 hit when it debuted). But, it's just a lot of fun.
Rated 22 Feb 2022
tpbradburytpbradbury
Rated 14 Nov 2021
66
68th
Sweet film. Impressive how you can come up with a catchy-hit, that suits the genre so well
Rated 14 Nov 2021
chadarnookchadarnook
Rated 24 Apr 2021
81
63rd
Light fare with solid storytelling and charming earworm.
Rated 24 Apr 2021
esperhartEsperHart
Rated 06 Feb 2021
93
48th
https://esperwatchesfilms.tumblr.com/post/642344044313427968/that-thing-you-do-1996
Rated 06 Feb 2021
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 14 Nov 2020
80
37th
Viewed November 12, 2020.
Rated 14 Nov 2020
feublofeublo
Rated 20 Oct 2020
70
30th
I can easily put this on repeat however.
Rated 20 Oct 2020
dreadpirateDreadPirate
Rated 30 Apr 2020
74
37th
Tom Hanks' directing debut is fun and light, but also seems to leave all of the color out of the 60's one-hit wonder scene. The music is fun and catchy and suits the one-hit wonder setting well.
Rated 30 Apr 2020
matthagenmatthagen
Rated 21 Mar 2020
57
67th
Seen: 2.
Rated 21 Mar 2020
equivokeequivoke
Rated 14 Oct 2014
84
36th
A nice evocation of a struggling 60's band, and the interpersonal forces that shape it. Title tune isn't as catchy as, for example, the toe-tapping rap of Hustle and Flow, but it suffices.
Rated 14 Oct 2014
glm01glm01
Rated 26 Mar 2014
82
71st
81.500
Rated 26 Mar 2014
nilooravaeinilooravaei
Rated 24 Dec 2013
78
44th
a really, fun, cute movie - totally what you'd expect of writer/director TOM HANKS.
Rated 24 Dec 2013
braddad68braddad68
Rated 30 May 2013
98
94th
This is simply a great feel-good film. Love the look, the cast, the music and story.
Rated 30 May 2013
mistersplicemistersplice
Rated 17 Jan 2013
75
77th
7+ highly recommended
Rated 17 Jan 2013
skitchimaSkitchima
Rated 21 Aug 2012
70
43rd
A decent film, but you'll be ready to smash your tv if you ever hear the song again.
Rated 21 Aug 2012
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 11 Jun 2012
79
59th
Sweet natured evocation of the early 60s music scene, which may ultimately be too sweet natured for its own good at times (that director Hanks is cast as the closest thing to a heavy says a lot about the film's tone!) However, performances are generally charming (Osborne is a delight as the Dad) and the soundtrack of original songs is catchy and tuneful. Certainly one of the most placid and benign depictions of the rise and fall of a rock band ever committed to celluloid!
Rated 11 Jun 2012
mattorama12mattorama12
Rated 30 Mar 2012
59
31st
Harmless fun. If you don't like the song, this movie will be terrible. It's nothing really ground breaking, but it gets the job done.
Rated 30 Mar 2012
glmglm
Rated 29 Mar 2012
81
69th
80.500
Rated 29 Mar 2012
rewilde-brewilde
Rated 04 Mar 2011
82
60th
Surprisingly good.
Rated 04 Mar 2011
davisty69davisty69
Rated 17 Jan 2011
82
55th
That has to be the catchiest song in the world
Rated 17 Jan 2011
bookhouseboybookhouseboy
Rated 04 Nov 2010
36
41st
#00s(e)#, story, reviews, Charlize T!, Liv T
Rated 04 Nov 2010
zephonithZephonith
Rated 24 Oct 2010
55
21st
I still remember the song at least
Rated 24 Oct 2010
strangefanstrangefan
Rated 08 Oct 2010
80
22nd
The actors lift the cliche-filled story into something charming and memorable.
Rated 08 Oct 2010
priokanopriokano
Rated 05 Aug 2010
7
80th
Marcouuuu a 8ª série!!!!!!!!
Rated 05 Aug 2010
gordonbombayGordonBombay
Rated 23 May 2010
80
63rd
I'll start by admitting that I do have a small crush on Tom Hanks but I still feel that this is a good movie. When you watch this movie notice, that the name of the bassplayer is nver mentioned.
Rated 23 May 2010
blooferladyBlooferlady
Rated 01 Apr 2010
70
25th
It was all about the catchiness of the film's main song, and yes, that is precisely the point of the story. Not bad, but I won't watch it again.
Rated 01 Apr 2010
movieboymovieboy
Rated 11 Mar 2010
67
42nd
The title track is the best part of the movie.
Rated 11 Mar 2010
oldgoatoldgoat
Rated 12 Feb 2010
69
48th
A cute movie for the thing it tries to do. Was also back when Liv was still super adorable.
Rated 12 Feb 2010
musicmad420musicmad420
Rated 20 Jan 2010
85
50th
Great little piece of fiction about some dudes playing music. Lots of character
Rated 20 Jan 2010
sirstuckeySirStuckey
Rated 16 Dec 2009
90
94th
This movie is a favorite of mine. It's both humorous and believable on what a one-hit wonder band might go through in that era. The actors actually in the band and Hanks all did a wonderful job. Their characters were diverse and even the most overlooked character, the bass player (Ethan Embry) felt like a fully realized character. The pacing can slow down a bit in the later stages of the film and they could have found someone better than Liv Tyler as the female lead. Definitely worth your time.
Rated 16 Dec 2009
foobekahFoobekah
Rated 14 Dec 2009
80
24th
The band was cute and I liked the love story. Not to ground-breaking of a film, though.
Rated 14 Dec 2009
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 14 Nov 2009
43
42nd
Worth a Watch
Rated 14 Nov 2009
chemtrailschemtrails
Rated 09 Oct 2009
60
52nd
Is that Karl Urban
Rated 09 Oct 2009
dmguidrydmguidry
Rated 18 Jun 2009
68
39th
Tom Hanks shines in this film that is basically a parrallel to Beatle mania. Not the best movie around, but certainly worth a watch.
Rated 18 Jun 2009
pigletPiglet
Rated 09 Jun 2009
64
37th
Sweet, and unmemorable.
Rated 09 Jun 2009
reeseReese
Rated 06 Jun 2009
70
27th
cute flick
Rated 06 Jun 2009
abunchofcatsABUNCHOFCATS
Rated 27 Apr 2009
70
29th
Funny but long tale of a band that starts from nothing and ends with nothing.
Rated 27 Apr 2009
ryanscoomerRyanscoomer
Rated 17 Apr 2009
55
45th
Kinda fun to watch once in a great while.
Rated 17 Apr 2009
astrakhanastrakhan
Rated 06 Apr 2009
79
66th
This movie mainly thrives on the catchiness of the band's hit singles (rating: very catchy indeed), which are played incessantly. Everything else about the movie is ok but fairly unremarkable. The casting is good and the 60s atmosphere is recreated pleasingly. On the downside, the story of a band's rise and demise is somewhat predictable. Above average entertainment but needed more ambition or depth.
Rated 06 Apr 2009
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 15 Mar 2009
0
4th
goddammit i fucking hate the song in this movie.
Rated 15 Mar 2009
achewoodACHEWOOD
Rated 14 Feb 2009
70
17th
whatever okay
Rated 14 Feb 2009
imthatdingoImThatDingo
Rated 20 Jan 2009
66
63rd
I have an odd quark about hearing something repetitively. It grates on my nerves...however, I didn't get too neurotic about hearing this song several times throughout the movie. It was an alright film. Check it once, I guess.
Rated 20 Jan 2009
voodoomailvoodoomail
Rated 29 Dec 2008
55
26th
Great, feel-good movie.
Rated 29 Dec 2008
mrmiasmamrmiasma
Rated 28 Dec 2008
65
30th
Throw away fun that's always great to catch on VH1's Movies That Rock when you get a chance. A good way to waste away a rainy Sunday afternoon.
Rated 28 Dec 2008
optimusmikeOptimus_mike
Rated 03 Nov 2008
55
30th
For some reason I've seen this movie like 5 times, the fuck is up with that?
Rated 03 Nov 2008
dippyblondedippyblonde
Rated 22 Oct 2008
60
35th
An enjoyable well cast film which is directed by Tom Hanks although a little cheesy. It follows the fortunes of made up 60's band The Wonders and the break up of the band due to them all wanting differant things.
Rated 22 Oct 2008
garlonussGarlonuss
Rated 15 Oct 2008
87
82nd
This is a fun movie. There are some predictable aspects of the story, but it is so well acted and directed that it doesn't matter.
Rated 15 Oct 2008
ashwilliamsAshWilliams
Rated 21 Sep 2008
70
30th
Movie with a big heart. Can't go wrong with this one. Holds up over repeated views.
Rated 21 Sep 2008
hankhank
Rated 19 Jul 2008
60
22nd
OK, but pretty cheesy. Would have been better if it weren't so much of a family movie.
Rated 19 Jul 2008
srisamssrisams
Rated 24 Mar 2008
65
5th
It's ok. Kinda cheesy.
Rated 24 Mar 2008
annmovieAnnMovie
Rated 03 Mar 2008
100
95th
I love this movie! The story, characters, acting, music, everything! It's fun and sweet. The characters could be stereo-typical, but aren't. Instead they seem unique and different from one another. I love this movie!
Rated 03 Mar 2008
punchy_mcgooPunchy-McGoo
Rated 02 Jan 2008
64
38th
eh.
Rated 02 Jan 2008
oolookittyoolookitty
Rated 24 Oct 2007
90
83rd
Really good fun, with an authentically catchy "hit song".
Rated 24 Oct 2007
shephardShephard
Rated 18 Oct 2007
50
29th
Fun, but kinda boring.
Rated 18 Oct 2007
ajeckertdoajeckertdo
Rated 11 Oct 2007
80
24th
I still remember the catchy song; other than that, this movie is pretty forgettable, but fun.
Rated 11 Oct 2007
fartfart
Rated 29 Aug 2007
50
25th
why do people like this movie? i guess i do to, but they can only play one song! Worth seeing so you know what people mean when they say "ONEEDERS"
Rated 29 Aug 2007
fuxoftfuxoft
Rated 17 Aug 2007
70
53rd
Pleasant.
Rated 17 Aug 2007
cellophanecellophane
Rated 14 Aug 2007
88
66th
I don't know why this movie doesn't get more love. Tom Hanks' directorial debut is funny, sweet, poignant, and expertly crafted.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
agentsnipeAgentSnipe
Rated 14 Aug 2007
89
96th
This movie is so funny and just entertaining all around. I don't know what genre of movie this would be, but I like it a lot.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
mlightle3mlightle3
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
70th
A must see.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
bbbdBBBD
Rated 14 Aug 2007
60
25th
Another bland/average movie. The song the movie centers around isn't horrible. It's almost like some pseudo-documentary.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
chow25chow25
Rated 14 Aug 2007
9
10th
Tom Hanks can't direct shit.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
mjvmoviemanMJVmovieMan
Rated 19 Mar 2007
73
60th
One of those small, sweet, likable movies, this one starring and directed by Tom Hanks about an up-and-coming 60s band.
Rated 19 Mar 2007
alex_watkinsAlex Watkins
Rated 19 Mar 2007
3
38th
Pretty charming, I thought it was underrated. It could've sucked if the song was annoying but it's pretty catchy. Overall, decently funny and worth a look.
Rated 19 Mar 2007
murravenerMurravener
Rated 09 Mar 2007
82
69th
A very well done film about a Beatle-esque band's rise to fame. Written and directed by Tom Hanks.
Rated 09 Mar 2007
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 01 Mar 2007
50
35th
Not bad.
Rated 01 Mar 2007
filliganFilligan
Rated 09 Feb 2007
45
5th
Dull, dull, dull! This movie does not feel like Tom Hanks directed it because I know the man is capable of pushing something beyond the borders of ordinary. But this movie is so bland that, even if they ended on some epic climax (which would have been hilariously inappropriate but still awesome), you won't feel like you've invested time in something worthwhile. It gets points for being able to murder my brain while injecting it with an almost TOO catchy song.
Rated 09 Feb 2007
istayawayistayaway
Rated 29 Jan 2007
0
1st
Absolute worst song in a movie ever. And they play it about every 5 damn minutes throughout the movie.
Rated 29 Jan 2007

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