What Dreams May Come

Name: What Dreams May Come
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Released: October 2, 1998
Duration: 113 min
Rating: 44
Cast: Cuba Gooding Jr., Robin Williams

1998

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 25 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 89 Ratings

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6.9

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6.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 89 Ratings

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What Dreams May Come

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Movie Details & Credits

Polygram Filmed Entertainment | Release Date: October 2, 1998 | PG-13

Starring: Cuba Gooding Jr., Robin Williams

Summary: A metaphysical tale of life after death.

Director: Vincent Ward

Genre(s): Drama, Fantasy, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 113 min

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Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert

So breathtaking, so beautiful, so bold in its imagination, that it's a surprise at the end to find it doesn't finally deliver. Read full review

Rick Groen

Too bad. What dreams may come, indeed, when such enticing foreplay ends with a consummation devoutly to be missed. Read full review

Michael O'Sullivan

There are a number of surprises in the idiosyncratic film, and one of its pleasures is the oblique and unchronological way in which Ward peels away the layers of the story, flashing backward and forward in time and jumping between Earth and the Beyond, separating his scenes with blindingly blank, white-out screens. Read full review

Lisa Alspector

An effects vehicle disguised as a metaphysical meditation (or a metaphysical meditation disguised as an effects vehicle?), this strikingly unimaginative 1998 movie contains visuals that can barely assert their niftiness amid the vacuous themes. Read full review

David Sterritt

This visually inventive fantasy paints the wide screen with colorful effects, but its psychological and spiritual ideas rarely rise above "new age" fuzziness. Read full review

Jeff Giles

A noble but supernaturally dull movie. Read full review

David Armstrong

A scary example of bad movies happening to good people. Read full review

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User Reviews

suze649

Sep 10, 2011

I could not follow this mixed up movie. The depictions of heaven and hell showed heaven to be as depressing as hell, some place no one would want to be. I finally just turned the movie off since I got absolutely no enjoyment out of it, glad it was free. The only thing I really enjoyed aboutI could not follow this mixed up movie. The depictions of heaven and hell showed heaven to be as depressing as hell, some place no one would want to be. I finally just turned the movie off since I got absolutely no enjoyment out of it, glad it was free. The only thing I really enjoyed about this movie was the beautiful home this couple lived in. That was all.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

JoshT.

Feb 24, 2006

i think this movie is amazing in every way. it is a beautiful love story that endures all obstacles. superb acting. amazing effects. a story that you couldnt find anywhere else.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

CassandraT

Sep 28, 2007

This movie had some mistakes, much like all movies, but the overall meaning and purpose behind the film is absolutely fabulous. The way the purple flowers fall from the tree to represent the beauty of death, yet the sincere loss of a loved one, the way water plays an extremely important This movie had some mistakes, much like all movies, but the overall meaning and purpose behind the film is absolutely fabulous. The way the purple flowers fall from the tree to represent the beauty of death, yet the sincere loss of a loved one, the way water plays an extremely important role with the cleansing of both mental and spiritual aspects of "the self." It shows pain, and power through love and free will. Never give up, is the motto throughout the movie. Family is the most valuable thing on earth and it does not just stop there, it follows into the after life. With heaven represented as Annie's paintings it shows that heaven is whatever you want it to be. It is not laced with big pearly gates and cloud walking with angel wings. Heaven is your own manifestation. However it incorporated sin, so that it is not all rainbows and butterflies. Hell is not represented by fire and dragon's breath but is depicted by Dante's "Inferno." Each level representing a different sin. "I'd rather die trying, then never try at all," is a saying common in today's language and through this movie, it gives hope and strength, with lots of symbolic meaning to the questions what is life after death and what is the meaning of life as it is now?… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

Martimus98

Mar 14, 2019

This movie was impressive. The Richard Matheson story was tremendous and the movie didn't totally lose the point of his story. The actors did well given a production where most everything must have happened in front of a green screen. Could the movie have been better? Absolutely! But it wasThis movie was impressive. The Richard Matheson story was tremendous and the movie didn't totally lose the point of his story. The actors did well given a production where most everything must have happened in front of a green screen. Could the movie have been better? Absolutely! But it was infinitely better than much of the schlock coming out of Hollywood.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

annbd

Apr 23, 2019

Death, love, soul mates, symbolism, heaven and hell - well blended in one movie. Adorable visual effects and music.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

axelkoch

Aug 29, 2012

The main thing about this movie are the visual effects, which are awesome for the year 1998! Heaven and hell are shown in a subtle way, which is very interesting and really memorable. The actors are disappointing and the story is predictable. But it's touching and good picturized from thisThe main thing about this movie are the visual effects, which are awesome for the year 1998! Heaven and hell are shown in a subtle way, which is very interesting and really memorable. The actors are disappointing and the story is predictable. But it's touching and good picturized from this great book! All in all, it's good but could've been way better! (I liked the alternative ending on the special DVD better - look for Wikipedia if you want to know what it is!)… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

heyitsmegrif4

Jan 16, 2012

Besides the film being visually appealing the acting fails to impress along with its confusing story that is supposed to be emotionally gut-wrenching which it isn't. I give this film 24%.

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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55	#55 Most Discussed Movie of 1998
42	#42 Most Shared Movie of 1998