Awakenings poster

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Awakenings

1990 · Movie · 121 min
A

MEANRANK

81/100

Averaged across 12 ratings · 654.3K votes

Every rating

Platform pages last read 29 September 2026. IMDb’s figure comes from IMDb’s own data file, which we re-read about once a month.

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62–96 out of 100

Split

Lowest is Criticker on 62, highest is Google on 96.

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In 1969, a dedicated neurologist discovers a promising new drug treatment for catatonic patients who survived the encephalitis lethargica epidemic decades earlier. He administers the drug to one particular patient, who awakens from his decades-long stupor, full of life and curiosity. The doctor and his patient experience the profound joy and subsequent challenges of this medical miracle.

Details

Based on
Awakenings by Oliver Sacks
Released
4 December 1990
Country
United States
Language
English
Runtime
121 min
Rated
PG-13
Budget
$31.0M
Box office
$52.1M
Awards
3 wins, 8 nominations

This title elsewhere

Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro

Leonard Lowe

Robin Williams

Robin Williams

Malcolm Sayer

John Heard

John Heard

Dr. Kaufman

Julie Kavner

Julie Kavner

Eleanor Costello

Ruth Nelson

Ruth Nelson

Mrs. Lowe

Max von Sydow

Max von Sydow

Peter Ingham

Anne Meara

Anne Meara

Miriam

Awards & nominations

See all 11 →

3 wins from 11 nominations across 8 ceremonies

Grammy Awards 1992 Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for Television Randy Newman Nominee
Academy Awards 1991 Best Picture Walter F. Parkes, Lawrence Lasker Nominee
Academy Awards 1991 Best Actor Robert De Niro Nominee
Academy Awards 1991 Best Adapted Screenplay Steven Zaillian Nominee
Golden Globe Awards 1991 Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama Robin Williams Nominee
Writers Guild of America Award 1991 Best Adapted Screenplay Steven Zaillian Nominee
Awards of the Japanese Academy 1992 Best Foreign Film Awakenings Nominee
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 1991 Best Actor Robert De Niro Nominee
Show all 11 awards across 8 ceremonies

Awards from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA.