Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalHispanic Heritage MonthIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

Patch Adams

  • 1998
  • PG-13
  • 1h 55m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
128K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,375
312
Robin Williams in Patch Adams (1998)
DocudramaMedical DramaBiographyComedyDramaRomance

The true story of the heroic Hunter "Patch" Adams who's determined to become a medical doctor because of his desire to help other people. He ventures where no doctor ever ventured before uti... Read allThe true story of the heroic Hunter "Patch" Adams who's determined to become a medical doctor because of his desire to help other people. He ventures where no doctor ever ventured before utilizing humor and pathos.The true story of the heroic Hunter "Patch" Adams who's determined to become a medical doctor because of his desire to help other people. He ventures where no doctor ever ventured before utilizing humor and pathos.

  • Director
    • Tom Shadyac
  • Writers
    • Patch Adams
    • Maureen Mylander
    • Steve Oedekerk
  • Stars
    • Robin Williams
    • Daniel London
    • Monica Potter
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    128K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    3,375
    312
    • Director
      • Tom Shadyac
    • Writers
      • Patch Adams
      • Maureen Mylander
      • Steve Oedekerk
    • Stars
      • Robin Williams
      • Daniel London
      • Monica Potter
    • 467User reviews
    • 52Critic reviews
    • 26Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 1 win & 7 nominations total

    Photos61

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 55
    View Poster

    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Robin Williams
    Robin Williams
    • Patch Adams
    Daniel London
    Daniel London
    • Truman
    Monica Potter
    Monica Potter
    • Carin
    Philip Seymour Hoffman
    Philip Seymour Hoffman
    • Mitch
    Bob Gunton
    Bob Gunton
    • Dean Walcott
    Josef Sommer
    Josef Sommer
    • Dr. Eaton
    Irma P. Hall
    Irma P. Hall
    • Joletta
    Frances Lee McCain
    Frances Lee McCain
    • Judy
    Harve Presnell
    Harve Presnell
    • Dean Anderson
    Daniella Kuhn
    • Adelane
    Peter Coyote
    Peter Coyote
    • Bill Davis
    James Greene
    James Greene
    • Bile
    Michael Jeter
    Michael Jeter
    • Rudy
    Harold Gould
    Harold Gould
    • Arthur Mendelson
    Bruce Bohne
    Bruce Bohne
    • Trevor Beene
    Harry Groener
    Harry Groener
    • Dr. Prack
    Barry Shabaka Henley
    Barry Shabaka Henley
    • Emmet
    • (as Barry 'Shabaka' Henley)
    Steven Anthony Jones
    • Charlie
    • Director
      • Tom Shadyac
    • Writers
      • Patch Adams
      • Maureen Mylander
      • Steve Oedekerk
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews467

    6.9127.6K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    8thinker1691

    " Why is a doctor treated with such reverence, we often forget he is Human "

    Robin Williams has so many films in his resume, it is very difficult to choose which one he believes is his best work. Like a true artist, he gives his talent to every role and each plays a part in his greatness. This movie for instance, I believe will become his crowning achievement. The film is called " Patch Adams. " It is based on the real doctor who offers to share a real love of medicine with anyone who chooses to become a doctor. His seeming ambivalence towards established rules and protocols and his unorthodox manner in treating patients is irritating to Dean Walcott (Bob Gunton) who tolerates Adams until he can summon enough evidence to expel the "Excessively Happy" medical student from the school. Although the role is a direct shadow of Williams's career as a comic, it is also a mirror image of his soul when he displays his sorrow and despair. It is during those touching moments we can see how much the master comic suffers for his character. When viewing this fine film, be prepared to journey with Williams through the happiness and tragedies his character experiences. An excellent example of an artist at work. Easilly recommended for all. ****
    8ercfunk-445-950046

    Ignore the negative Nancys on here

    Patch Adams is classic Robin Williams. The film is funny at times, moving at times, and a good movie to watch.

    I really don't get the people who have such negative reviews, did they even watch the same movie?
    8UniqueParticle

    Devastating and joyful all at the same time

    Robin Williams had so much joy in this, its so wonderful and heartwarming! Quite a few bleak characters and things that could have been avoided, otherwise I'd give it a 10. Excessive happiness should be fine, I don't understand why there's a boss that is a Debbie Downer, yeah ok he's serious about his job, but lacking sense of humor that is important for patients to enjoy. This is a powerful film and makes me bummed that Robin Williams is gone!
    7SmileysWorld

    Robin Williams:The Best Medicine

    In my opinion,Robin Williams is at his best when playing characters much like himself.This film is based on the life of the real Hunter "Patch" Adams,a man that Williams himself says that he closely relates to.In the medical profession,it is easy to become hard nosed and so wrapped up in treating the sickness that it is all too easy to forget that there are actual people behind the sickness.We are taught by Patch to treat the person first,because when you do so,treating the illness becomes somewhat easier.Sometimes people don't get better,but treating the soul to a laugh or two can lessen the pain and suffering.Sometimes people die,and while the people that loved them suffer and grieve,the suffering and grief are eased somewhat by the knowledge that their departed loved ones no longer suffer.This role was tailor made for Williams,and he is supported well,including another overlooked performance by the late Michael Jeter as a squirrel fearing mental patient.Thumbs up!
    10Lindy-24

    Very wonderful film!!

    My husband and I loved this film. We laughed, cried and felt warm and fuzzy all over! Very well made film. Robin, as always did a great job with his part. His co-actor/actress were very good too. The movie made us a part of what was going on. I want a doctor just like Patch. To bad there aren't more doctors like that.

    More like this

    What Dreams May Come
    7.0
    What Dreams May Come
    Bicentennial Man
    6.9
    Bicentennial Man
    Good Morning, Vietnam
    7.3
    Good Morning, Vietnam
    Jack
    5.8
    Jack
    One Hour Photo
    6.8
    One Hour Photo
    Awakenings
    7.8
    Awakenings
    August Rush
    7.4
    August Rush
    The Birdcage
    7.2
    The Birdcage
    Jakob the Liar
    6.5
    Jakob the Liar
    The Fisher King
    7.5
    The Fisher King
    The Real Patch Adams
    The Real Patch Adams
    A.I. Artificial Intelligence
    7.2
    A.I. Artificial Intelligence

    Related interests

    Jesse Eisenberg in The Social Network (2010)
    Docudrama
    Patrick Dempsey and Ellen Pompeo in Grey's Anatomy (2005)
    Medical Drama
    Ben Kingsley, Rohini Hattangadi, and Geraldine James in Gandhi (1982)
    Biography
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      During filming, Robin Williams and the rest of the cast and crew worked closely with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to fulfill the fantasies of several children who were at the time undergoing cancer treatment. The children appeared with Williams in scenes at the pediatric ward.
    • Goofs
      Patch says that humans are the only organisms on Earth that kill their own kind. This is not the case. Chimpanzees also do this, for example. In fact, it's much harder to find a species that doesn't kill its own kind than one that does.
    • Quotes

      Hunter Patch Adams: You treat a disease, you win, you lose. You treat a person, I guarantee you, you'll win, no matter what the outcome.

    • Crazy credits
      The Blue Wolf Productions logo after the end credits features a wolf looking to its left.
    • Connections
      Featured in Late Night with Conan O'Brien: Robin Williams/Rebecca Romijn-Stamos (1998)
    • Soundtracks
      Faith of the Heart
      Written by Diane Warren

      Performed by Rod Stewart

      Produced by Guy Roche

      Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc.

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ20

    • How long is Patch Adams?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 25, 1998 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Bác Sĩ Patch Adams
    • Filming locations
      • St. Helena, Napa Valley, California, USA(Funeral Scene)
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • Blue Wolf Productions
      • Farrell/Minoff
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $90,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $135,026,902
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $25,262,280
      • Dec 27, 1998
    • Gross worldwide
      • $202,292,902
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 55m(115 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.