Overview
A cynical weatherman finds himself stuck in a time loop, forced to relive the same day until he learns to embrace life and love.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- witty
- sardonic
- warm
- lazy sunday
- holiday movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's clever high-concept comedy, Bill Murray's performance, and its balance of cynicism, romance, and hopeful moral transformation.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Phil repeatedly wakes on the same Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, with each cycle revealing new consequences and possibilities.
Phil moves from exploiting repetition for personal gain toward practicing empathy, generosity, and care for others.
Punxsutawney's recurring residents and rituals provide Phil with an intimate social world in which to remake himself.
Recurring encounters with Rita, Ned Ryerson, and townspeople shift from slapstick frustration to opportunities for connection and selflessness.
Films like Groundhog Day, and why
About Time
shares a high-concept time-loop premise, philosophical self-improvement, and optimistic comedy
Scrooged
shares a supernatural transformation story, sardonic humor, and a movement from selfishness toward generosity
It's a Wonderful Life
shares romantic fantasy, repeated experiences, and a warm moral arc about appreciating ordinary life
Back to the Future
shares inventive temporal mechanics, brisk comedy, and a charismatic outsider trying to alter his circumstances
Movie Details
- Director
- Harold Ramis
- Release Date
- 1993-02-11
- Runtime
- 101 min
- Rating
- 7.6 / 10 (9207)
Cast
- Bill Murray
- Andie MacDowell
- Chris Elliott
- Stephen Tobolowsky
- Brian Doyle-Murray
- Marita Geraghty
- Angela Paton
- Rick Ducommun
- Rick Overton
- Robin Duke
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Groundhog Day about?
- A cynical television weatherman trapped in an endless Groundhog Day discovers that escaping repetition requires becoming someone worth living as.
- What is Groundhog Day like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Groundhog Day as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Groundhog Day violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Groundhog Day.
- What did critics think of Groundhog Day?
- Critics broadly praised the film's clever high-concept comedy, Bill Murray's performance, and its balance of cynicism, romance, and hopeful moral transformation.
- Which films are like Groundhog Day?
- Films with a similar feel include About Time, Scrooged, It's a Wonderful Life, and Back to the Future.
- How long is Groundhog Day?
- Groundhog Day runs 101 minutes.
- Where can I watch Groundhog Day?
- In United States, Groundhog Day streams on fuboTV.
