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IMDbPro

Real Genius

  • 1985
  • PG
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
40K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,236
413
Val Kilmer in Real Genius (1985)
An uptight teenage prodigy enters a top engineering college, but feels awkward among the freewheeling students. When a professor aims to turn their laser project into a military weapon, he and his offbeat roommate plot to ruin the plan.
Play trailer1:59
4 Videos
99+ Photos
Teen ComedyComedyRomanceSci-Fi

An uptight teenage prodigy enters a top engineering college, but feels awkward among the freewheeling students. When a professor aims to turn their laser project into a military weapon, he a... Read allAn uptight teenage prodigy enters a top engineering college, but feels awkward among the freewheeling students. When a professor aims to turn their laser project into a military weapon, he and his offbeat roommate plot to ruin the plan.An uptight teenage prodigy enters a top engineering college, but feels awkward among the freewheeling students. When a professor aims to turn their laser project into a military weapon, he and his offbeat roommate plot to ruin the plan.

  • Director
    • Martha Coolidge
  • Writers
    • Neal Israel
    • Pat Proft
    • PJ Torokvei
  • Stars
    • Val Kilmer
    • Stacy Peralta
    • Daniel Ades
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    40K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,236
    413
    • Director
      • Martha Coolidge
    • Writers
      • Neal Israel
      • Pat Proft
      • PJ Torokvei
    • Stars
      • Val Kilmer
      • Stacy Peralta
      • Daniel Ades
    • 162User reviews
    • 51Critic reviews
    • 71Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 2 nominations total

    Videos4

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:59
    Official Trailer
    Real Genius
    Trailer 1:59
    Real Genius
    Real Genius
    Trailer 1:59
    Real Genius
    Remembering Val Kilmer (1959-2025)
    Clip 0:55
    Remembering Val Kilmer (1959-2025)
    The Evolution of Nerds
    Video 3:44
    The Evolution of Nerds

    Photos101

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    Top cast67

    Edit
    Val Kilmer
    Val Kilmer
    • Chris Knight
    Stacy Peralta
    Stacy Peralta
    • Shuttle Pilot
    Daniel Ades
    • Laser Ray Victim
    Andres Aybar
    Andres Aybar
    • Bartender
    Louis Giambalvo
    Louis Giambalvo
    • Major Carnagle
    Ed Lauter
    Ed Lauter
    • David Decker
    Charles Shull
    • Air Force General
    Beau Billingslea
    Beau Billingslea
    • George
    Charles Parks
    • Larry
    William Atherton
    William Atherton
    • Professor Jerry Hathaway
    Sean Frye
    Sean Frye
    • Boy at Science Fair
    JoAnn Willette
    JoAnn Willette
    • Girl at Science Fair
    Ina Gould
    • Old Lady
    Nadine Vix
    • Student at Science Fair
    Gabriel Jarret
    Gabriel Jarret
    • Mitch Taylor
    • (as Gabe Jarret)
    Paul Tulley
    • Mr. Taylor
    Joanne Baron
    Joanne Baron
    • Mrs. Taylor
    Harry Johnson
    Harry Johnson
    • Darlington Recruiter
    • (as Chip Johnson)
    • Director
      • Martha Coolidge
    • Writers
      • Neal Israel
      • Pat Proft
      • PJ Torokvei
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When Lazlo Hollyfeld ( Jon Gries ) sends in a large number of entries to the Frito-Lay contest, he is mirroring the actions of Caltech students Steve Klein, Dave Novikoff and Barry Megdal, who, in 1974, used a similar strategy to win a McDonald's sweepstakes. Their entries came to roughly 1/5th of the total entries and won them a station wagon, $3,000 cash and $1,500 in food gift certificates. A nod to this accomplishment is also mirrored in the fact that Lazlo is frequently seen carrying food in a McDonald's bag in his early scenes.
    • Goofs
      They say the ice in the hall would sublimate directly to gas. If that would be true, it would be impossible to skate or glide on this kind of ice as the building of water is essential for gliding/skidding on ice. However, Ick never reveals what the substance is, and it's possible his mystery substance can both sublime and provide for skating.
    • Quotes

      Mitch: You know, um, something strange happened to me this morning...

      Chris Knight: Was it a dream where you see yourself standing in sort of sun-god robes on a pyramid with a thousand naked women screaming and throwing little pickles at you?

      Mitch: No...

      Chris Knight: Why am I the only one who has that dream?

    • Alternate versions
      In one pan-and-scan version, when Jordan looks through the hole the laser made through a tree, the camera stays on her while another pan-and-scan version cuts aside to Chris for his line and to catch him turning his head when she says, "Look!"
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Fright Night/Real Genius/Weird Science/The Coca-Cola Kid (1985)
    • Soundtracks
      You Took Advantage of Me
      Written by Richard Rodgers (uncredited) and Lorenz Hart (uncredited)
      Performed by Carmen McRae
      Courtesy of MCA Records

    User reviews162

    Featured review
    8/10

    Terrific '80's Film

    I've noticed that some people who've commented on REAL GENIUS do not appear impressed. This must be either because they lack a sense of humor or simply don't know a good movie when they see one. Val Kilmer is hysterical, the script is filled with clever one-liners. William Atherton is THE ego-meniacle bad guy. And Chris Knight and Mitch Taylor have a guy named Lazlow living in their closet. Come on, this film is terrific. I could watch this film every day. It's that good.
    • girardi_is_god
    • Nov 30, 2003
    • Permalink

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    FAQ21

    • How long is Real Genius?Powered by Alexa
    • Why would the government go to Jerry Hathaway to build the laser? Wouldn't it be easier to have a lab in the US Department of Defense design it?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 7, 1985 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Academia de genios
    • Filming locations
      • Pomona College - 333 N. College Way, Claremont, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Delphi III Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $8,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $12,952,019
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,557,180
      • Aug 11, 1985
    • Gross worldwide
      • $12,952,019
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 48 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
      • Dolby Atmos
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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