Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- wistful
- philosophical
- lazy summer afternoon
- teen movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the adaptation amiable and intermittently moving, but uneven in its execution and less compelling than stronger contemporary young-adult films.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Quentin's search for Margo gradually becomes an education in friendship, projection, and emotional maturity.
Margo's disappearance and cryptic clues organize Quentin's investigation and adventure.
Quentin and his friends travel beyond their hometown while pursuing clues and redefining their relationships.
Quentin's long-standing crush on Margo confronts the difference between loving an idea and understanding a person.
Films like Paper Towns, and why
The Spectacular Now
shares a wistful coming-of-age journey, adolescent friendship, romantic uncertainty, and an emotionally reflective teen ensemble
The Fault in Our Stars
shares young adult romance, searching for emotional truth behind idealized attraction, and a warm but bittersweet tone
Adventureland
shares a youthful road movie structure, friendship-centered adventure, philosophical introspection, and nostalgic transition into adulthood
Movie Details
- Director
- Jake Schreier
- Release Date
- 2015-06-18
- Runtime
- 109 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (5240)
Cast
- Nat Wolff
- Cara Delevingne
- Austin Abrams
- Justice Smith
- Halston Sage
- Jaz Sinclair
- Cara Buono
- Josiah Cerio
- Hannah Riley
- Meg Crosbie
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- 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 Paper Towns about?
- A lovestruck Florida teenager follows cryptic clues left by his vanished neighbor, discovering that friendship and self-knowledge matter more than romantic fantasy.
- What is Paper Towns like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Paper Towns as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Paper Towns violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Paper Towns.
- What did critics think of Paper Towns?
- Critics broadly found the adaptation amiable and intermittently moving, but uneven in its execution and less compelling than stronger contemporary young-adult films.
- Which films are like Paper Towns?
- Films with a similar feel include The Spectacular Now, The Fault in Our Stars, and Adventureland.
- How long is Paper Towns?
- Paper Towns runs 109 minutes.
- Where can I watch Paper Towns?
- In United States, Paper Towns is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
