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Magnolia

Play trailer Poster for Magnolia R 2000 3h 8m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
82% Tomatometer 219 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
On one random day in the San Fernando Valley, a dying father, a young wife, a male caretaker, a famous lost son, a police officer in love, a boy genius, an ex-boy genius, a game show host and an estranged daughter will each become part of a dazzling multiplicity of plots, but one story.

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Magnolia

Magnolia

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Critics Consensus

An eruption of feeling that's as overwhelming as it is overwrought, Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia reaches a feverish crescendo and sustains it thanks to its fearlessly committed ensemble.

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Critics Reviews

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Kevin Maher The Times (UK) 05/09/2025
5/5
Anderson made an aching, yearning three-hour epic about lost souls in LA’s San Fernando Valley, culminating in a nutty, biblical-level frog deluge. Go to Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 07/15/2023
4/4
Magnolia is operatic in its ambition, a great, joyous leap into melodrama and coincidence, with ragged emotions, crimes and punishments, deathbed scenes, romantic dreams, generational turmoil and celestial intervention, all scored to insistent music. Go to Full Review Ann Hornaday Baltimore Sun 07/15/2023
3/4
While not as fully realized as Anderson's last movie, Boogie Nights, Magnolia is filmed with the same skillful abandon, and takes many more artistic risks... The result is a movie as fascinating for its flaws as for its considerable successes. Go to Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Feb 24
4/4
Its restless camera, onrushing music, heartbreaking monologues, and incomparable ensemble of marvelous performances generate a momentum that feels less plotted than propelled by raw emotion. Go to Full Review Fico Cangiano CineXpress Podcast 03/28/2025
5/5
A fever dream of souls crashing, repentance, forgiveness and second chances. Tom Cruise is phenomenal in what could be Paul Thomas Anderson's best offering. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Philip Bagnall Loud and Clear Reviews 09/19/2024
Magnolia is an extraordinary film about ordinary lives. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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David M. @Dmesuda 5d My all time favorite film. It’s not for everyone, but to me it is twenty minute too long, self important, self indulgent, Hollywood perfection. See more Thyaagu C @Thyaagu May 24 Movie is basically 3 hours of pure emotional wreckage across generations - from kids to old men - and somehow every single emotion lands perfectly. The performances? Unreal. Every lead absolutely cooked. I’m genuinely stunned at how beautifully crafted this film is. See more R T @Snakeyb May 22 Incredible film, period. Only dumb dumbs would disagree. My significant other agrees with me because she is not a dumb dumb See more Patrícia F @RT55153951 Apr 27 This film boasts a great cast, with everyone delivering excellent performances. Philip Seymour Hoffman is outstanding, but the standout is Tom Cruise. He truly possesses magnificent nuances in his acting, and his character predates today's internet influencers. PTA is undoubtedly one of the greatest of his generation. See more F P @Effeppi Apr 18 Honestly it's a great film yes, but the plot isn't that much of a well written thing, especially in the end, it gets boring, the frogs thing seemed kinda random to me, plus it didn't really teach me anything, it left me kinda disappointed, but it also entertained me, so yes, it's a 6/10 See more Tom F @RT55173143 Apr 13 The Magnolia experience improves with each rewatch. See more Read all reviews
Magnolia

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Cast & Crew

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Paul Thomas Anderson

Director

Jason Robards

Earl Partridge

Julianne Moore

Linda Partridge

Tom Cruise

Frank T.J. Mackey

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Phil Parma

John C. Reilly

Jim Kurring

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Magnolia

William H. Macy as Quiz Kid Donny Smith in New Line's Magnolia Philip Baker Hall and Melinda Dillon in New Line's Magnolia Tom Cruise and Jason Robards in New Line's Magnolia John C. Reilly and Emmanuel Johnson in New Line's Magnolia Philip Seymour Hoffman as Phil Parma in New Line's Magnolia Craig Kvinsland, William H. Macy and Henry Gibson in New Line's Magnolia Jeremy Blackman as Stanley Spector in New Line's Magnolia Julianne Moore and Jason Robards in New Line's Magnolia John C. Reilly as Jim Kurring in New Line's Magnolia Julianne Moore and Jason Robards in New Line's Magnolia View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis On one random day in the San Fernando Valley, a dying father, a young wife, a male caretaker, a famous lost son, a police officer in love, a boy genius, an ex-boy genius, a game show host and an estranged daughter will each become part of a dazzling multiplicity of plots, but one story.
Director
Paul Thomas Anderson
Producer
Paul Thomas Anderson, JoAnne Sellar
Screenwriter
Paul Thomas Anderson
Distributor
New Line Cinema
Production Co
New Line Cinema, Ghoulardi Film Company, Magnolia Project
Rating
R (Language|Drug Use|Sexuality|Violence)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 7, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 6, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$22.5M
Runtime
3h 8m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)