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Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, George Carlin, Bernie Casey, Terry Camilleri ... see more see more... , Dan Shor , Tony Steedman , Roi Loomis , Jane Wiedlin , Robert V. Barron , Clifford David , Hal Landon Jr. , Amy Stock-Poynton , J. Patrick McNamara , Ron Althoff , Diane Franklin , Marjean Holden , John Karlsen , Kimberley Kates , Al Leong , Duncan McLeod , Lisa Rubin , John "Fee" Waybill , Clarence Clemons , Martha Davis , Chris Matheson , Ed Solomon , Tom Dugan , Tony Camilieri , Frazier Bain , James Bowbitch , John Clure , Traci Dawn Davis , Jeff S. Goodrich , Carol Gossler , Anne Machette , Dusty O'Dee , Mark Ogden , Heather Pittman , Ruth Pittman , Steve Rotblatt , Steve John Shepherd , Claudia Templeton , Jim Cody Williams , Stanzi Stokes , Richard Alexander , William Robbins , Rod Loomis

With only a few days before their high-school graduation, it looks like airheaded rock star wannabes Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Keanu Reeves) are doomed to flunk all their finals. The boys' long-suff... read more read more...ering teacher (Bernie Casey) gives them one more chance. If they can ace a presentation on the topic of how a famous historical personality might react to modern times, they will be allowed to pass. If not, Ted's dad will plunk the boy into military school, thereby breaking up the boys' garage band permanently. Bill and Ted receive unexpected aid from a very unexpected source: Rufus (George Carlin), an Emissary from the Future. It seems that in Rufus's time, Bill and Ted's rock music is the basis of all society-and if their band is aborted, Rufus's world will no longer exist. Thus, Bill and Ted are whisked off in a time machine (actually a telephone booth) to retrieve a few historical characters--including Joan of Arc, Abe Lincoln, Napoleon and Beethoven--as "eyewitnesses" for their crucial oral exam. Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure inspired both a sequel (Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey) and a Saturday morning cartoon series. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

70% liked it

351,443 ratings

Critics

82% liked it

33 critics

PG, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Stephen Herek

Release Date: February 17, 1989

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DVD Release Date: December 4, 2001

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Stats: 16,466 reviews

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Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure Bill & Ted Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure Ted "Theodore" Logan Dan Shor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Billy the Kid in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989) Keanu Reeves . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ted ''Theodore'' Logan in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989) Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure squash Keanu Reeves Diane Franklin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Princess Elizabeth in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989) Clifford David . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ludwig van Beethoven in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989) cast Ted 'Theodore' Logan twister Alex Winter [BILL!] Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
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Flixster Reviews (16,466)

  • fb733768972
    April 18, 2012
    fb733768972
    The chemistry between Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter is terrific, as they are two carefree high school seniors who are given the opportunity to travel back in time in order to pass their history assignment and stay together in order to become the greatest rock band in history, as t... read morehey are known for in the future. This wackiness of the their adventures is definitely expressed with perfection on screen, and the set pieces are very well put together. I actually believed that I was travelling back into ancient times. Sure, the effects are dated, the comedy is overly silly, and the premise is quirky, but "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" is way too much fun to pass up. This film is most awesome!
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    October 17, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure is a fun, brainless and entertaining comedy. The film surrounds two metalheads that happen to almost graduate, but unfortunately they are about to fail unless they pass a final history presentation. Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure is a funny come... read moredy that is very entertaining and has some good laughs. Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter are great in this film, and they have good chemistry. The film follows the duo as they go back in time to collect historical people for their project in order for them to pass. This is a fun comedy that is a must see with friends, and has plenty of laughs. The film is fairly original, and it's always amusing. I enjoyed this film, and thought it was a terrific comedy. Despite the fact that at times, it's idiotic, it's all in good fun, and the end result is a film that is very entertaining and fun. Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure is a good comedy that boasts a good cast, a witty script and has enough momentum to be entertaining for the viewer. This isn't a flawless comedy, but this is still a good enough film to enjoy. The film is a pleasant time waster, and one of those late 80's comedies that still remains fun after all these years. Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure is a good comedy with a good cast and is a perfect comedy to watch with a gang of friends. This simply pure fun and it definitely delivers that and more.
  • DreamExtractor
    August 17, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    I actually enjoyed this movie, even if it was boring. It was funny, idiotic, and mostly cliche jokes, but it was still good.
  • ajv2688
    March 31, 2011
    ajv2688
    Excellent! Okay, this movie isn't totally excellent, but it is really good. It's funny and full of adventure and teenage fun. It's goofy and silly, but in a good way.
  • ythelastman89
    January 25, 2011
    ythelastman89
    One of the many classic 80s adventures. This has one of Keanu Reeves' most most memorable and hilarious characters, but that is not to say that Bill isn't a vital part of this movie too. It's just such a kooky premise that would only work in the context of when it was released. T... read morehe comedy is really good and I still laugh every time.
  • cosmo313
    August 18, 2010
    cosmo313
    I saw this a super long time ago at a very young age before I really got into history, and don't remember a whole lot about it, other than it made me laugh. Some of it undoubtedly went over my head though. I'm sure if I watched it now I probably would not like it as much, but it... read more's at least good to see that Keanu used to express emotions and not just be a bland robot.
  • FrizzDrop
    August 3, 2010
    FrizzDrop
    Jack-Ass mixed with Pauly Shore, if you like ridiculous comedy and feel good story, you'll like this little gem.
  • ScoopOnline
    December 11, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    Timeless Adventure Movie a 25 Keanu Reeves playing a Teenage. lol
  • SirPant
    September 21, 2009
    SirPant
    Excellent bit of early 90?s (late 80?s if you?re going to be pedantic) fun.
  • TomBowler
    August 2, 2009
    TomBowler
    when you look back at movies in the 80s, they're not always as good as you thought they were at the time. this film, however, still stands up under today's scrutiny. brilliant. in fact, EXCELLENT!!

View All Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure Reviews

Critic Reviews

May 30, 2007
Variety

Reeves, with his beguilingly blank face and loose-limbed, happy-go-lucky physical vocabulary, and Winter, with his golden curls, gleefully good vibes and 'bodacious' vocabulary, propel this adventure ... Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

A painfully inept comedy. Full Review

Hal Hinson
January 1, 2000
Hal Hinson, Washington Post

More than anything, the picture looks paltry and undernourished. Even the warts on Lincoln's face look slapped on. Full Review

Heather Boerner
December 18, 2010
Heather Boerner, Common Sense Media

Silly time-capsule comedy ideal for older tweens. Full Review

Steve Crum
March 2, 2008
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com

Wow, man, and to think Keanu Reeves started here. Already outdated comedy.

May 30, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Bill and Ted has an intangibly charming goofiness about it that is somehow endearing. Full Review

June 24, 2006
Time Out

This is extremely silly, good natured, superficial stuff; a lot depends on whether you take to Bill and Ted's unique lingo (which contorts surfers' expressions) and their gormless behaviour. Full Review

David Nusair
July 16, 2005
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

...a silly, broad comedy that has justifiably endured over the years. Full Review

Rob Thomas
June 12, 2003
Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)

Just stupid enough to be endearing.

Brian Mckay
March 18, 2003
Brian Mckay, eFilmCritic.com

Airheaded but funny movie. I actually liked "Bogus Journey" better, though.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Bill S. Preston: Okay, wait, if we were one of Europe's greatest leaders, and we were stranded in San Dimas for one day, where would we go?
    • Bill S. Preston: [pause, then with Ted] Waterloo!
    • Bill S. Preston: You ditched Napoleon!
    • Ted "Theodore" Logan: Deacon, do you realize you have just stranded one of Europe's greatest leaders in San Dimas?
    • Deacon: He was a dick.
    • Evil Duke: Put them in the iron maiden.
    • Ted "Theodore" Logan: Iron Maiden?
    • Bill S. Preston: [With Ted] Excellent! [both play air guitar]
    • Evil Duke: Execute them.
    • Bill S. Preston: [With Ted] Bogus!
    • Girl at Mall: Oh, my God! [laughs with her friend at Freud's introduction]
    • Sigmund Freud: You both seem to be suffering from a mild form of hysteria.
    • Girl at Mall: You are such a geek! [walks off with her friend]
    • Billy the Kid: Way to go, egghead!
    • Socrates: GEEK! [laughs]
    • Sigmund Freud: What is a geek?
    • Bill S. Preston: It is indeed a pleasure to introduce to you a gentleman we picked up in medieval Mongolia in the year 1269.
    • Ted "Theodore" Logan: Please welcome, the very excellent barbarian...
    • Ted "Theodore" Logan: [with Bill] ...MR. GENGHIS KHAN! [All the students applaud wildly for Khan]
    • Ted "Theodore" Logan: This is a dude who, 700 years ago, totally ravaged China, and who, we were told, 2 hours ago, totally ravaged Oshman's Sporting Goods.
    • Ox: [delivering a history report] Everything is different, but the same... things are more moderner than before... bigger, and yet smaller... it's computers... ...SAN DIMAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL RULES!
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Bill & Ted's Exce... : Watch Free on TV

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure Trivia

  • Who plays Ted in the movie Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure?  Answer »
  • "Be excellent to each other, and party on, dudes" is a quote from what movie?  Answer »
  • Which 1989 movie about two friends used the tags lines "Be Excellent to each other" and "Party on Dudes"  Answer »
  • Which movie has this tagline : " History is about to be Rewritten by Two Guys Who Can't Spell "  Answer »
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