Planes, Trains & Automobiles

Name: Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Genre: Comedy
Released: November 25, 1987
Duration: 93 min
Rating: 72
Cast: John Candy, Steve Martin

1987

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 22 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 58 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 58 Ratings

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Planes, Trains And Automobiles

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: November 25, 1987 | R

Starring: John Candy, Steve Martin

Summary: A man must struggle to travel home for Thanksgiving with an obnoxious slob of a shower curtain ring salesman as his only companion.

Director: John Hughes

Genre(s): Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 93 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Roger Ebert

It is perfectly cast and soundly constructed, and all else flows naturally. Steve Martin and John Candy don't play characters; they embody themselves. Read full review

100

Staff (Not Credited)

It’s a great comedy, and a deeply touching one, too. Read full review

Mike D'Angelo

I feel like we catch a brief glimpse here of an amazing filmmaker who never quite existed. Read full review

Sheila Benson

There is no denying the craft of either Martin or Candy, however, and since they are the film, it will undoubtedly find its audience faster than any one of us can get from New York to Chicago. Read full review

Time Out London Staff (Not Credited)

A couple of overgrown brats seems an appropriate focus for John The Breakfast Club Hughes first adult movie, but if his direction is slick, his script lacks wit and perception. Essentially, it's the stars' keenly observed nuances of character that make this comedy amiable enough. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

With a concept as thin as this, Planes, Trains and Automobiles could have easily become a repetitious bore. Instead, producer-director-writer Hughes infuses his film with an appealing sense of sentiment and humanity--not to mention many hilarious scenes. Read full review

Jay Scott

Teenmeister John Hughes, begatter of Pretty in Pink and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, has permitted Planes, Trains and Automobiles to be promoted as his first "adult" feature, but it's actually a re-run of a movie he wrote in 1983, National Lampoon's Vacation, another primitive cartoon for the kinds of adults who find Neil Simon too sophisticated. [27 Nov 1987]

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User Reviews

kyle20ellis

Mar 14, 2022

Planes, Trains and Automobiles for me is nothing short of a classic. It is sentimental yes, but it is also very funny, heartwarming and touching. John Hughes does a great job with the direction, and the film looks beautiful with the cinematography truly lovely especially. The music is a nicePlanes, Trains and Automobiles for me is nothing short of a classic. It is sentimental yes, but it is also very funny, heartwarming and touching. John Hughes does a great job with the direction, and the film looks beautiful with the cinematography truly lovely especially. The music is a nice touch, while the story is a beautiful and I think heartwarming one and the script is full of funny and poignant parts. Then there is the chemistry between Steve Martin and John Candy. These two are outstanding together, and individually both are wonderful, particularly Candy- to be honest I can imagine very few who can play the role as well as Candy did, he was well and truly one of a kind. Overall, wonderful and a classic. 10/10 Bethany Cox… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Nicholas-Renni

Aug 23, 2017

Astonishing film. Incredible moving story, with amazing characters written. You truly care about them and the positions they put themselves in throughout the film is very humorous. Comedy mixed with tense drama scenes. John candy best film in my opinion, acting was amazing. The music scoreAstonishing film. Incredible moving story, with amazing characters written. You truly care about them and the positions they put themselves in throughout the film is very humorous. Comedy mixed with tense drama scenes. John candy best film in my opinion, acting was amazing. The music score for this movie was amazing. John Hughes has created many timeless classics, and this was one of them.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

evokings

May 31, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is an amazing movie, I especially like the way that Neal comes to the realization that del's wife had passed away... Neal was perceived by viewers, earlier in the movie as someone that was; self centered, judgmental, closed minded, somewhat stressed out, on the outside, but somewhere deep in his mind, you can tell that he wants to be a good natured person again, but he lacks the ability to see it on his own, by contrast Del is perceived by the viewer to be; non-judgmental, unassuming, and has a positive outlook on his life, but on the inside Del is really in emotional pain, and he is trying to cope with his life, and they both are hiding their own issues, Del clearly does a better job, and his positive outlook rubs off on Neal, if you think about it, the old Neal likely never would have thought about someone else's feelings, what he does in the movie, at the end, inviting Del over to his house, would never have happened, if he never met him to begin with, and thats part of what makes the movie unique, both Neal and Del save each other from there own flaws, and basically end up bettering themselves by the end of the movie.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

The3AcademySins

Nov 23, 2017

One of John Hughes greatest comedies, Planes, Trains and Automobiles is as heartwarming and awe-inspiring as it is hilarious. This is the best Thanksgiving movie ever made, and the dramatic sequences nicely balance the humorous scenes. You'll fall in love with Dell Griffith and Neil Page,One of John Hughes greatest comedies, Planes, Trains and Automobiles is as heartwarming and awe-inspiring as it is hilarious. This is the best Thanksgiving movie ever made, and the dramatic sequences nicely balance the humorous scenes. You'll fall in love with Dell Griffith and Neil Page, and their romp trying to get home for the holidays will stick with you long after the credits roll. This is not one to miss.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

geewah

Jan 20, 2021

John Hughes road trip comedy is a movie full of heart and laughs.
Martin and Candy are two of the finest comedic actors of their generation and together form one of the more memorable comedy duo's seen on the big screen.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Voodoo123

Dec 6, 2022

Heartwarming dramedy tests the ability of a modern city worker to connect with a stranger in the midst of a significant delay in his commute. The casting is exceptional, but the heavy edits and leaning from the director towards improv scenes and 'big comedy set pieces' really only dragsHeartwarming dramedy tests the ability of a modern city worker to connect with a stranger in the midst of a significant delay in his commute. The casting is exceptional, but the heavy edits and leaning from the director towards improv scenes and 'big comedy set pieces' really only drags things along from telling the far more interesting human story that was here all along. The heart of the film is intact and well worth a watch.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

gracjanski

Jan 12, 2021

entertaining movie with simple humour, so a movie for the masses. In addition some of the story elements are unrealistic. John Candy is sympathetic, but I dont like Steve Martin.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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