The Pursuit of Happyness

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The Pursuit of Happyness

PG-13

2006

1h 56m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

67%

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173 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

A struggling salesman takes custody of his son as he's poised to begin a life-changing professional career.

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Critics Consensus

Will Smith's heartfelt performance elevates The Pursuit of Happyness above mere melodrama.

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Brian Tallerico

UGO

Mar 24, 2007

In an effort to make a crowd-pleasing film, the horrors that Gardner must have experienced on the streets feel glossed over by the Hollywood machine.

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Tim Robey

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Jan 17, 2007

We may wonder if happiness can be bought this way, and whether the film being sold to us isn't a slightly suspect package, but Smith, sublime and moving, sells it regardless.

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Paul Arendt

BBC.com

Jan 14, 2007

3/5

Deserves kudos for avoiding saccharine sentiment, but its relentless emphasis on money as the cure for all ills is depressing. They might as well have called it The Pursuit of Richyness.

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Nicholas Oon

Maximum Hype (YouTube)

Sep 4, 2021

7.5/10

It is Will Smith's lead performance in this that really stole the show and won me over. It really elevated this movie.

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Joanne Laurier

World Socialist Web Site

Sep 2, 2020

The Pursuit of Happyness reveals the soul-wasting nature of poverty and the lack of prospects for those condemned to economic oblivion.

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Ellie Lucas

The Dispatch (Lexington, NC)

Jun 6, 2019

2.5/4

Will Smith can carry a film. And carry it he does, because without him, Happyness would founder in its own schmaltz.

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Brahnavan B

@i_love_movie_theatres_more_than_u 4 days ago

Overrated. The first 30 minutes are genuinely entertaining, with some great comedic moments, but unfortunately, the film struggles to maintain that momentum. What initially feels engaging gradually becomes boring, meandering and increasingly repetitive, with little meaningful progression to sustain the audience's interest. By the time the film reaches its conclusion, the experience has become more of a chore than an enjoyable watch. Ultimately, a promising opening and good messaging and overall lessons for the audience to take away from the film cannot compensate for such an underwhelming middle act.

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Zane T

@ZaneThind Oct 22, 2026

The greatest Will Smith movie of all time and his best on-screen performance, which helped him show a lot of dramatic acting range in a career full of blockbusters and minimalist acting. A sort of early-career revival, and if Forrest Whitaker didn't rightfully win for The Last King of Scotland, then this was Smith's Oscar win. Saw it in high school business class and fell in love with it. A movie that's turning 20 years old this year, but it's so relevant. Also, it has Jaden Smith's best performance as well. If he got an Oscar nod for this, it would have made sense.

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Brayden G

@DeadShotVibe802 Sep 30, 2026

Alright movie but really emotional and really good acting

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Cinema S

@cinema_sensei Sep 25, 2026

What makes it so powerful is that beneath the struggle for success, it is really about a father refusing to give up while trying to protect his son. Will Smith and Jaden Smith make their relationship feel genuine, and the emotional moments never feel forced. It is inspiring without pretending life is easy. A heartfelt film that genuinely stayed with me.

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Raman Y

@RT18397149 Sep 16, 2026

Movie is definitely non-typical and have a point. You might not like but definitely must see at least once

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L Nguyn G

@Kev1n_L33 Sep 8, 2026

"Life, Liberty and the PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS"

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Gabriele Muccino

Director

Will Smith

Chris Gardner

Jaden Smith

Christopher

Thandiwe Newton

Linda

Brian Howe

Jay Twistle

James Karen

Martin Frohm

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The Pursuit of Happyness: Official Clip - First Impression

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The Pursuit of Happyness: Official Clip - Cold Calling

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The Pursuit of Happyness: Official Clip - No Y in Happiness

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Synopsis

A struggling salesman takes custody of his son as he's poised to begin a life-changing professional career.

Director: Gabriele Muccino
Producer: Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch, James Lassiter, Will Smith
Screenwriter: Steve Conrad
Distributor: Sony Pictures
Production Co: Escape Artists, Columbia Pictures Corporation, Overbrook Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Some Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 15, 2006, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $162.6M
Runtime: 1h 56m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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