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IMDbPro

The Pursuit of Happyness

  • 2006
  • PG-13
  • 1h 57m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
591K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,197
93
Will Smith, Brian Howe, Thandiwe Newton, and Jaden Smith in The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Trailer for The Pursuit of Happyness
Play trailer2:25
17 Videos
99+ Photos
Workplace DramaBiographyDrama

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

  • Director
    • Gabriele Muccino
  • Writer
    • Steve Conrad
  • Stars
    • Will Smith
    • Thandiwe Newton
    • Jaden Smith
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.0/10
    591K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,197
    93
    • Director
      • Gabriele Muccino
    • Writer
      • Steve Conrad
    • Stars
      • Will Smith
      • Thandiwe Newton
      • Jaden Smith
    • 969User reviews
    • 146Critic reviews
    • 64Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 12 wins & 26 nominations total

    Videos17

    The Pursuit of Happyness
    Trailer 2:25
    The Pursuit of Happyness
    The Pursuit of Happyness
    Trailer 2:24
    The Pursuit of Happyness
    The Pursuit of Happyness
    Trailer 2:24
    The Pursuit of Happyness
    The Rise of Will Smith
    Clip 3:44
    The Rise of Will Smith
    Which Roles Did Will Smith Turn Down?
    Clip 2:27
    Which Roles Did Will Smith Turn Down?
    The Pursuit of Happyness
    Clip 0:51
    The Pursuit of Happyness
    The Pursuit of Happyness
    Clip 0:33
    The Pursuit of Happyness

    Photos168

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    + 161
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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Will Smith
    Will Smith
    • Chris Gardner
    Thandiwe Newton
    Thandiwe Newton
    • Linda
    • (as Thandie Newton)
    Jaden Smith
    Jaden Smith
    • Christopher
    • (as Jaden Christopher Syre Smith)
    Brian Howe
    Brian Howe
    • Jay Twistle
    James Karen
    James Karen
    • Martin Frohm
    Dan Castellaneta
    Dan Castellaneta
    • Alan Frakesh
    Kurt Fuller
    Kurt Fuller
    • Walter Ribbon
    Takayo Fischer
    Takayo Fischer
    • Mrs. Chu
    Kevin West
    Kevin West
    • World's Greatest Dad
    George Cheung
    George Cheung
    • Chinese Maintenance Worker
    • (as George K. Cheung)
    David Michael Silverman
    • Doctor at First Hospital
    Domenic Bove
    Domenic Bove
    • Tim Ribbon
    Geoff Callan
    Geoff Callan
    • Ferrari Owner
    Joyful Raven
    • Hippie Girl
    Scott Klace
    Scott Klace
    • Tim Brophy
    Rashida Clendening
    • Bus Driver
    Eric Schniewind
    • Doctors
    Peter Fitzsimmons
    Peter Fitzsimmons
    • Doctors
    • Director
      • Gabriele Muccino
    • Writer
      • Steve Conrad
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews969

    8.0591.4K
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    Featured reviews

    10jvgoodwell

    Great Movie

    I was blessed to have seen this movie last night. It made me laugh, it made me cry and it made me love life.

    This movie is a great movie that depicts a love of a father for his son. Will Smith did an incredible job and deserves every accolade available to him. His son also did a fantastic job.

    There is a great lesson that is learned in this movie and it truly shares the struggles of everyday life.

    This movie was heart felt and touching. It was truly an experience worth having. Thank you for making this movie and I look forward to seeing it again.
    8wesinid

    The Ultimate Guy Movie

    If you ever wanted to see a movie that portrayed what really makes a man, then you must see this movie.

    Forget Stalone. Forget Arnold. Forget Bond. Forget all those romantic comedy whimps. Bruce Willis never had to make this many life threatening decisions in Die Hard.

    Will Smith gives a better performance of toughness here than he did portraying Muhammed Ali.

    This movie is raw. This movie will force you to examine your manhood. See if you can look in the mirror after watching this film.

    Fathers, don't let the PG-13 rating fool you. This movie is not for kids. If you let your child see this movie you may regret it. Your child may never be able to look at you the same way again. Your child will wonder why you are not more like Chris Gardner.
    0U

    Best movie ever. recommend 100%

    In this journey through the struggles and trials that single father, Chris Gardner, has to take, you see the real side of hardwork and integrity. Chris Gardner, played by Will Smith, Is just trying to give his son a good home as he's on the pursuit of happiness. This movie doesn't only show the hard work of a single parent, but it shows that no matter how hard you get pushed down, you should always get up and keep going. I love the strong connection that the father and son roles have in this movie, it seems so real, and that's because it is! The father (Will smith) and son (Jaden Smith) are father and son outside the movie realm too. Actor, Will Smith, shows his true emotional side during this film, as if he was actually going through the situations occurring in the movie. There couldn't have been a better cast picked for this movie, the pain, struggle, love, and hope seem so real as if you're watching a documentary on someone's life. Smith, usually looked at as a comedic actor, shows what he can really do by jerking the tears from the audience's eyes.
    10jellienellie818

    Amazing!

    I have been a fan of Will Smith for years and I have to say this may be his best film yet! "The Pursuit of Happiness" is just a wonderful (based on a true) story, full of adventure, hope, and pain. I saw the movie last night in a packed theater. Big Willie Weekend has returned, and for good reason! It's a great movie to see during the holidays and definitely a tear-jerker! Perfect for a date, a night out with friends, or even with family. If you ever thought Will Smith really couldn't act (and shame on you!), you'll think otherwise once you see this movie. You can really feel what he's going through just by looking in his eyes. And Jaden Smith is too adorable! Their on screen chemistry is almost unbearable to watch! Go see this movie! Great acting, great directing, great writing...you won't regret it!
    9nwsurfrider

    Great performances, inspiring story

    I was involved with one of the first test audiences almost a year ago, and came away quite impressed with the acting performances and heartfelt punch of Pursuit of Happiness. This is easily one of Smith's best films, as he pours his heart and soul into the main character. While the plot may remain a bit transparent, it leaves you asking the question of yourself - how long would you keep battling to get what you really want out of life? I plan on seeing the film again when it releases to the general public, and am very interested to see what changes were made after running it through the test screenings. As I saw it then, it needed very few, if any, changes.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Chris Gardner: At the end, the real Chris Gardner walks past Chris and Chris Jr.
    • Goofs
      In one scene, the train doors close on Chris Gardner's hand while he is holding a bone scanner. He doesn't let go, and the train departs with the doors partially open. That would never happen in real life; BART trains are designed not to move if the doors of any car are obstructed.
    • Quotes

      Christopher Gardner: [narrating, at a payphone, raining, after learning Linda is taking Christopher away from him] It was right then that I started thinking about Thomas Jefferson on the Declaration of Independence and the part about our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And I remember thinking how did he know to put the pursuit part in there? That maybe happiness is something that we can only pursue and maybe we can actually never have it. No matter what. How did he know that?

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Dreamgirls/Charlotte's Web/The Holiday/Apocalypto/Unaccompanied Minors (2006)
    • Soundtracks
      When the Saints Go Marching In
      Traditional

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    FAQ26

    • How long is The Pursuit of Happyness?Powered by Alexa
    • Why was, Chris- you suck-' written on the wall when Will Smith was painting the apartment?
    • Is there a real Chris Gardner?
    • Are there any differences between the movie story and the real story?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 15, 2006 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Sony Pictures (United States)
    • Languages
      • English
      • Cantonese
    • Also known as
      • En busca de la felicidad
    • Filming locations
      • Candlestick Park - 602 Jamestown Avenue, San Francisco, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Columbia Pictures
      • Relativity Media
      • Overbrook Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $55,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $163,566,459
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $26,541,709
      • Dec 17, 2006
    • Gross worldwide
      • $307,127,625
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 57 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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