The Sure Thing poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

John Cusack, Daphne Zuniga, Anthony Edwards, Boyd Gaines, Tim Robbins ... see more see more... , Lisa Jane Persky , Viveca Lindfors , Nicollette Sheridan , Larry Hankin , Robert Bauer , Teresa Baxter , Sarah Buxton , Joshua Cadman , Carmen Filpi , Garry Goodrow , Richard Hamilton , George Memmoli , Sunshine Parker , John Putch , Tracy Reiner , Fran Ryan , Chris Rydell , Danielle von Zerneck , Jimmy Baron , Marcia Christie , Marty Layton , Lorrie Lightle , Robert Anthony Marcucci , Rosalind Moreland , Julie Ow , Steve Pink , Marcie Reibel , Amy Resnick , Kristal Richards , Robert Snively , Frantz Turner , Noelle Williams

Director Rob Reiner's The Sure Thing is essentially It Happened One Night for the 1980s, but its lack of surprise in no way impedes its entertainment value. John Cusack plays Walter "Gib" Gibson, a se... read more read more...lf-involved college freshman who makes plans to head to California, there to touch base (and a few other things) with a "sure thing" played by Nicollette Sheridan. Likewise planning a westward journey is coed Alison Bradbury (Daphne Zuniga), a control freak who has a wealthy, stuffy fiancé over there. Gib and Alison despise one another on sight -- so naturally, they are compelled to travel to California together. The fact that everyone in the audience knows precisely how this one will end up is inconsequential; Cusack and Zuniga deliver such engaging performances that we're pulling for them to wise up and discover one another from the very first scene. One of the best bits: the mismatched couple being bombarded with an ear-piercing rendition of "The Age of Aquarius" by their dippy traveling companions. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

75% liked it

11,050 ratings

Critics

89% liked it

27 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 34 min.

Directed by: Rob Reiner

Release Date: March 1, 1985

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: August 5, 2003

Stats: 665 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

The Sure Thing The Sure Thing surenke The Sure Thing Nicollette Sheridan The Sure Thing The Sure Thing The Sure Thing The Sure Thing
Upload a Photo | View All The Sure Thing Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (665)

  • movieguru12
    November 12, 2011
    movieguru12
    Another film that shows you that 1985 was the best year of the 80s. This movie shows you how John Cusacks character, Gib grows up, and decides that why hook up with a sure thing when the real thing was there all along. This movie is an 80s classic! I would also recommend this mov... read moreie to people who want to laugh as well. :) It's a classic movie! :) I love it :) :) :) :) :) :)
  • jennifxu
    April 28, 2011
    jennifxu
    Mamma mia John Cusack was so hot in this movie! The dialogue was really snappy and I like how the ending was resolved only at the very, very last minute - screwballian, in a way. Rob Reiner was definitely in his prime in the 80s.
  • ajv2688
    January 19, 2011
    ajv2688
    A fantastic drama/comedy about true love and life. It has a good cast, and a great story. I love it.
  • LWOODS04
    May 17, 2010
    LWOODS04
    CAST: John Cusack, Daphne Zuniga, Anthony Edwards, Tim Robins, Nicollette Sheridan, Boyd Gaines

    DIRECTED BY: Rob Reiner

    SUMMARY: A college student plans a cross-country trip to get laid, but ends up traveling with a young woman. She can't stand him, and he just wants to ge... read moret to L.A., where a sexy "sure thing" is waiting to greet him with open arms.

    MY THOUGHTS: I really love the 80's movie's. Especially the ones with John Cusack. He has been my favorite for a long time and still is. This movie is like clean version of our todays American Pie, and films like those. The story isn't nothing new. It's been done many times. Girl and boy hate each other, but secretly love each other. Girl is stuck up, boy is fun and carefree. Opposites attrack. So the ending is obvious, but it's the ride you take to the ending that makes this movie great. It's completely character driven and the actor's make the character's feel real and honest. Great movie and well worth the watch.
  • ythelastman89
    December 1, 2009
    ythelastman89
    Hilarious and one of my favorite John Cusack movies. It's a great teen comedy. The humor is really mature and the plot is above what you might expect. The characters are very real, but also entertaining and charismatic. I think that even though it does have some cliches, they're ... read moredone in a way so it doesn't feel like they are trying to claim it's original.
  • jabcdef
    October 11, 2007
    jabcdef
    Cusack doing what he does best. Some very good jokes and a must-see teen flick.
  • webalina
    June 9, 2007
    webalina
    I've never been a romcom fan, except for the ones with John Cusack. He can be a sap in love and it not seem hokey. This is an early one, but one of the best. Two total opposites in more ways then gender go on a road trip from the Northeast to California over college Christmas bre... read moreak. Been done before, but rarely this well.
  • garyX
    February 9, 2007
    garyX
    I don't "get" a lot of the more popular 80s comedys, but I've always had a soft spot for this one. The ever likeable John Cusack is one reason, the fact it was directed by Rob Reiner straight after Spinal Tap is probably the other!
  • guttersnipe28
    October 23, 2006
    guttersnipe28
    Knowing high-school comedy. Cusack is excellent and illustrates great promise, and Tim Robbins gives neat support ("My name's Gary Cooper. Not the dead one, of course!"). Most of the plot revolves around Cusack's inability to grow up, but he's so good in this film you hardly want... read more him to! It does suffer from a hyper-ubrupt ending, though.
  • oakman67
    January 11, 2011
    oakman67
    Rob Reiner's first real feature film and one of his best with a updated "It Happened One Night" and strong lead performances by Cusack and Daphne Zuniga. The film is smart, sexy but always intelligent and has great cameos from Tim Robbins, Anthony Edwards, Viveca Lindflors and th... read moree Sure thing herself Nicolette Sheridan. In my mind this is one of Cusack's best performances and he makes his character Gibb likeable and vulnerable at the same time. Zuniga does strong work as his polar opposite that you can't help rooting for her to end up with him. I guess you could call it an intellectual sex comedy.

View All The Sure Thing Reviews

Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr
November 6, 2009
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

[A] hysterically oversold mix of comic cliches from the 30s and the 80s. Full Review

James Berardinelli
June 9, 2009
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

This is a likeable film that follows all of the necessary steps to engage an audience. It may not be a sure thing, but it's at least a pretty good bet. Full Review

Variety Staff
October 18, 2008
Variety Staff, Variety

Realization may not be earth shattering, but in an era of fast food and faster sex, return to the traditional is downright refreshing. Full Review

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

Walter and Alison are closer to real teenagers, with real doubts and hesitations and uncertainties. Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Rob Reiner's new film, The Sure Thing, is glowing proof of two things: Traditional romantic comedy can be adapted to suit the teen-age trade, and Mr. Reiner's contribution to This Is Spinal Tap was mo... Full Review

November 6, 2009
TV Guide's Movie Guide

A charming surprise. Full Review

Clint Morris
August 17, 2008
Clint Morris, Moviehole

One of the great teen comedies of the 80s. One reason why Cusack became what he became

June 24, 2006
Time Out

There's plenty of mileage in this pairing, even if the movie isn't going anywhere unexpected. Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
May 26, 2006
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

Sweet and wonderful. Full Review

Brad Laidman
December 6, 2005
Brad Laidman, Film Threat

A wonderful start for Cusack and Reiner. Full Review

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)

Cast

More Like This

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

  • Say Anything...
    Say Anything... (61%)
  • Tapeheads
    Tapeheads (100%)
  • Sex Drive
    Sex Drive (90%)
  • Planes, Trains and Automobiles
    Planes, Trains and Automobiles (86%)

More Movies like The Sure Thing

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

The Sure Thing : Watch Free on TV

The Sure Thing Trivia

  • The Ice Harvest was his Thin Red Line, Serendipity it may have been, but the Grosse Pointe Blank was an Identity away from Being John Malkovich. His High Fidelity lead to Stand By Me, you can Say Anything but he's a Sure Thing or an America's Sweetheart.  Answer »
  • In which John Cusack film does this line appear? "Hi I'm Gary Cooper, but not the Gary Cooper that's dead."  Answer »
  • What movie features John Cusack travelling across the country to hook up with Nicollette Sheridan?  Answer »
  • In which John Cusack movie does he say "I'm not going to bed with you, I'm going to bed in a bed that you happen to be in also?"  Answer »
More The Sure Thing Trivia

Movie Quizzes

Create a Quiz |

All Quizzes

Video Clips

No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans

Add The Sure Thing to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?