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What Dreams May Come

  • 1998
  • PG-13
  • 1h 53m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
118K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,848
123
Robin Williams in What Dreams May Come (1998)
Home Video Trailer from Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Play trailer0:31
1 Video
99+ Photos
TragedyDramaFantasyRomance

Chris Nielsen dies in an accident, and enters Heaven. But when he discovers that his beloved wife Annie has killed herself out of grief over the loss, he embarks on an afterlife adventure to... Read allChris Nielsen dies in an accident, and enters Heaven. But when he discovers that his beloved wife Annie has killed herself out of grief over the loss, he embarks on an afterlife adventure to reunite with her.Chris Nielsen dies in an accident, and enters Heaven. But when he discovers that his beloved wife Annie has killed herself out of grief over the loss, he embarks on an afterlife adventure to reunite with her.

  • Director
    • Vincent Ward
  • Writers
    • Richard Matheson
    • Ron Bass
  • Stars
    • Robin Williams
    • Cuba Gooding Jr.
    • Annabella Sciorra
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    118K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,848
    123
    • Director
      • Vincent Ward
    • Writers
      • Richard Matheson
      • Ron Bass
    • Stars
      • Robin Williams
      • Cuba Gooding Jr.
      • Annabella Sciorra
    • 723User reviews
    • 76Critic reviews
    • 44Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 7 wins & 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    What Dreams May Come
    Trailer 0:31
    What Dreams May Come

    Photos176

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    Top cast31

    Edit
    Robin Williams
    Robin Williams
    • Chris Nielsen
    Cuba Gooding Jr.
    Cuba Gooding Jr.
    • Albert
    Annabella Sciorra
    Annabella Sciorra
    • Annie Nielsen
    Max von Sydow
    Max von Sydow
    • The Tracker
    Jessica Brooks Grant
    Jessica Brooks Grant
    • Marie Nielsen
    Josh Paddock
    Josh Paddock
    • Ian Nielsen
    Rosalind Chao
    Rosalind Chao
    • Leona
    Lucinda Jenney
    Lucinda Jenney
    • Mrs. Jacobs
    Maggie McCarthy
    Maggie McCarthy
    • Stacey Jacobs
    Wilma Bonet
    • Angie
    Matt Salinger
    Matt Salinger
    • Reverend Hanley
    Carin Cocita
    Carin Cocita
    • Best Friend Cindy
    • (as Carin Sprague)
    June Carryl
    June Carryl
    • Woman in Car Accident
    • (as June Lomena)
    Paul P. Card IV
    • Paramedic
    Werner Herzog
    Werner Herzog
    • Face
    Clara Thomas
    Clara Thomas
    • Little Girl at Lake
    Benjamin Brock
    • Little Boy at Lake
    Joe Bartnick
    • Warehouse worker
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Vincent Ward
    • Writers
      • Richard Matheson
      • Ron Bass
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews723

    7.0117.5K
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    Featured reviews

    6jentlke_in_black

    Major tear-jerker

    It's been a while since I last saw this one, but I will always remember this as one of the saddest movies I ever saw, in a good way of course!

    There are hardly any cheerful tones throughout the movie, so it is not for people who like soppy stories. But the effects are amazing and the vision of heaven is very original. Robin Williams is, as always, very good at performing. This was the first serious movie I saw featuring Williams, and I was amazed. I had thought Williams would be the type who could only act decently in comedies, but this one proved me wrong. He can put down a serious character with all ease not only that, he can truly touch you with his oh so tear-jerking lines.

    My conclusion: if you are planning on watching this movie, keep your tissues at hand, and some food and drinks as well since the movie isn't exactly what you call short.
    10siit

    The most under-rated movie ever ?

    Firstly this is an adult movie. I remember when it was marketed on its release. It seemed to be targeted to all ages - Robin Williams off the back of- at that time- children's movies. It promoted the technology of the making. Overall they marketed it completely wrong, which I daresay has led it to being placed in the mediocrity bin.

    However, nothing could be further from the truth. What Dreams May Come would have to be one of the most intelligent, emotional, visually beautiful, and well acted projects ever to grace the screen.

    Robin Williams is masterful and Sciorra perfectly mirrors her soul mate (Williams). Their performances encapsulate all the joy and abject sorrow human life entails. It's a movie that wants you to find real love, see beyond cynicism and grasp the idea of soul mate. And it's all presented in a stunningly gorgeous montage of exquisite colour and symmetry.

    From the opening shot to the closing frame, its magnificent. The story is enveloping encompassing nearly every asset of human emotion. It's a roller-coaster ride but rewarding. Comedy, hope, sadness, joy, elation, despair... all displayed perfectly.

    ALL actors shine, Cuba Gooding Jr is his usual excellent self and Max von Sydow is impeccable.

    The greatest movie ever? close... most under-rated movie ever? - most probably. Watch it, very few movies will touch you as What Dreams May Come will.
    10JimmyT-2

    What Fantastic Movies are Made Of!!!

    Ok, This movie was overlooked. Period. Before I saw it, I was one of the many movie going clones who decided not to see it in the theater because it hadn't been getting the rave reviews that the trailer suggested it should.

    So, my roommate works at a video store. One night, he brings home "What Dreams May Come." For lack of NOTHING better to do, I pop it in one night when I'm home alone. 113 minutes later I was floored. This was a fantastic movie. At first, I was a bit skeptical. Very little character development creation, and death comes just as the introduction to life begins. Then......it all hits. The absolute best computer animation I've ever seen. A plot line that has no obvious holes. A story that has never been addressed on the big screen. A subject that is explored in a way that is both believable and desirable. An incredible movie that leaves you happy, sad, curious, and most of all, drained of energy and exhilarated at the same time. I can't explain the feeling that this movie gave me, and I bet you can't explain the after-life any better than "What Dreams May Come," unless your 3 letter name begins with "G" and ends with "D." If you have a mind that will allow you to be entertained by something other than a beefy guy blowing things up with an Uzi, see this movie. 10 out of 10 JimmyT-2
    9The_Core

    What dreams are made of...

    To hell with the critics and the cynics. I absolutely love this movie - it's in my top ten (or maybe even top five) list of favorite movies (I saw it at least 3 times in the theater and own it on DVD). I have to admit, I'm one of those non- (almost anti-) elitist, "I don't know art, but I know what I like" type people. I also truly love positive, upbeat movies with happy endings. Not to say that "realistic" movies aren't also great, but there is room for everything in the moviemaking genre. Isn't there enough depressing "realism" on the evening news to satisfy even the most jaded cynic?

    I can't say exactly what it is that strikes me about this movie. The incredible color-saturated visuals and special effects certainly help. The acting talents of Robin Williams and Max Von Sydow help. And I loved the story. Emotionally manipulative it may be, but this is one of those films where I WANTED to be manipulated, where I willingly participated. Apparently some people resented it, but I was sobbing through much the movie, and glad to be doing so. Laugh if you please, say whatever you want... this movie touches my heart.

    "Deep" it isn't, not terribly. On a metaphysical level, it goes only slightly beyond new-age kitsch. Very few of the afterlife scenes and concepts agree with the spiritual outlook of any known religion. But I don't care. Again, if a movie touches my heart in just the right place, I can forgive it almost anything. This one did. 9/10.
    9Chanandler-Bong

    Incredible and heartbreaking

    Given the recent loss of the incredible talent of Robin Williams I found this film incredibly moving. Ir made me think about what his heaven would be like, if he was watching his family grieve and I hope he's found peace. This film hits home for a lot of us, obviously because Robin killed himself. I don't believe people who commit suicide out of sadness or loss of hope go to hell, I believe they go to heaven like everyone else - Maybe that's just me being idealistic. As a film though, this moved me a lot. It was quite a sad film but at the same time there were moments of joy and sweetness. The acting was superb. I've never seen Robin act in this kind of role and I think it brought out his gentle, loving side people who knew him often spoke about. He spoke with this fascinating softness that makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside.I feel he should be more well know for this role because its a great film. Annabella was also brilliant , she really brought out the raw emotion and pain a widow goes through after not only losing her children but then her husband. Although Cuba played a small part in this, his was also a great piece of acting (I wouldn't expect anything less from him). I cried a lot through this film, all for various reasons including the death of Robin and that pain of seeing him being wonderful and I am really going to miss him, also the film was very moving and does make you think, it also made me think of my life and what I'd do if certain people tragically left my life. So it hit home on quite a few levels. For its time the CG is actually pretty good, I've seen worse CG in films nowadays. Anyway, a fantastic film and anyone wishing to see a moving performance by Robin should watch this, he's incredible and always will be. I hope he's in his own private heaven at peace right now.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Annabella Sciorra initially had no desire to appear in the film, thinking that it would be too intense and sad. A read-through with Robin Williams convinced her otherwise.
    • Goofs
      When the little girl gives half her sandwich to the little boy on the dock, he takes the other half, and hands the first one back to her. As he hands it over, there is a bite missing in the middle. When she goes to eat it, it is whole.
    • Quotes

      Chris Nielsen: Thank you for every kindness. Thank you for our children. For the first time I saw them. Thank you for being someone I was always proud to be with. For your guts, for your sweetness. For how you always looked, for how I always wanted to touch you. God, you were my life. I apologize for everytime I ever failed you. Especially this one...

    • Crazy credits
      Disclaimer after the end credits: "The persons and events in this production are fictitious. No similarity to actual persons, living, dead or reincarnated is intended or should be inferred."
    • Alternate versions
      The DVD gives an alternative ending in which the kids (Ian & Marie) come to see Annie and Chris. They ask her if she wants to see them as Chris saw them. She says yes and they become Albert and Leona. They ask if she wants them to stay as they are or go back to being the kids. She says she knows who they are and should stay the same. Then Annie says she has to leave. This is the crucial point that wasn't in the original because Leona says those who commit suicide have to go back and be reincarnated. Chris says he wants to go back and Albert responds we figured that, a couple of star crossed lovers. He then says that Chris will meet Annie in Sri Lanka where Annie will die in his arms and he will die 40 years after that. Then there is a montage of Annie and Chris being born ending with side by side pictures of two new born babies.
    • Connections
      Edited into Doggiewoggiez! Poochiewoochiez! (2012)
    • Soundtracks
      Chris & Annie's Theme
      Based on variations of "Beside You"

      Written by Mark Snow (as Martin Fulterman) and Michael Kamen

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    FAQ20

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • October 2, 1998 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • New Zealand
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Más allá de los sueños
    • Filming locations
      • Angel Falls, Canaima National Park, Estado Bolívar, Venezuela
    • Production companies
      • Polygram Filmed Entertainment
      • Interscope Communications
      • Metafilmics
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $85,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $55,382,927
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $15,833,592
      • Oct 4, 1998
    • Gross worldwide
      • $55,383,166
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 53 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
      • DTS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1
      • 2.35 : 1

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