Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Lenny von Dohlen, Virginia Madsen, Bud Cort, Don Fellows, Alan Polonsky ... see more see more... , Maxwell Caulfield , Howland Chamberlain , Mary Doran , Preston Lockwood , Miriam Margolyes , Stella Maris , Mac McDonald , Wendy Miller , Patsy Smart , Frazer Smith , Koo Stark , Dr. Ruth Westheimer , Giorgio Moroder , Harry Rabinowitz , Gary Pettinger , Madeleine Christie , Shermaine Michaels , Jim Steck , Regina Walden

Dweebish architect Miles Harding (Lenny Von Dohlen) is hopelessly in love with neighboring musician Madeline (Virginia Madsen). He soon learns that Madeline already has an ardent suitor: Harding's own... read more read more... computer (voiced by Harold and Maude star Bud Cort)! When the electronic device, nicknamed Edgar, begins composing love songs dedicated to Madeline, Harding passes the tunes off as his own. At this point, the envious Edgar really goes to town, taking over all the electrical appliances in Harding's house--and dangerously meddling in its owner's life. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

71% liked it

3,930 ratings

Critics

40% liked it

5 critics

PG, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Steve Barron

Release Date: July 20, 1984

Invite friends to see

Stats: 271 reviews

Your Rating



clear rating

Flixster Reviews (271)


  • February 15, 2008
    Very dated and very silly. Someone may make a good remake one day though. Mainly it survives for nostalgia.
  • November 20, 2011
    A little seen gem from 1984. Good early performance by a young Virginia Madsen . dated but still entertainig film.
  • June 7, 2008
    I can't really explain my opinion on this. I fully accept that most people probably won't understand my high marks for this movie. But, come on--the nerd gets the beautiful girl. What's not to like?
  • April 21, 2008
    Cute movie, but very dated. Sort of like War Games in the sense that the computer has unrealistic powers, but the computer is interested in romance rather than global thermonuclear war. I haven't seen this movie since the 80's but it was worth a watch.
  • January 25, 2008
    This flick is so ridiculous, it's funny! This was 1984, when computers were just coming in, so to think a computer could do everything they suggest is quite entertaining!
  • July 2, 2007
    Giorgio Moroder's hit electric number was an 80's icon, as was Madsen's cello-electro fugue sequence
  • May 16, 2007
    Such a great movie. Being a geek, I suppose I might be more attached to this movie than some...but I still highly recommend it to anyone...geek or no...it's still a good date movie.
  • February 4, 2007
    I have the song, "Together In Electric Dreams" in my head...and every time it plays - I remember Virginia Madsen

Critic Reviews


Luke Y. Thompson
March 14, 2003
Luke Y. Thompson, New Times

One of the more amusing computer-phobia flicks from the '80s, with an amazing title song by Girogio Moroder.

Scott Weinberg
July 25, 2002
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

Bizarre 80's obscurity benefits from some great Jeff Lynne tunes.

Roger Ebert
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Lawrence Van Gelder
August 30, 2004
Lawrence Van Gelder, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
October 1, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Jake Euker
August 4, 2005
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)

No review available.

January 26, 2006
Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

May 30, 2001
AV Club

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

More Like This


Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • A.I. Artificial Intelligence
    A.I. Artificial Intelligence (55%)
  • Fire With Fire
    Fire With Fire (67%)
  • Real Genius
    Real Genius (100%)
  • Earth Girls Are Easy
    Earth Girls Are Easy (67%)

Facts


No facts approved yet. Be the first

Electric Dreams : Watch Free on TV


Electric Dreams Trivia


  • What was the name of the computer in Electric Dreams  Answer »
  • In the 80's movie Electric Dreams, who played madeline  Answer »

Movie Quizzes


Recent News


No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists


Most Popular Skin


No skins yet. Interested in creating one?