Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- earnest
- sentimental
- tender
- nostalgic movie night
- classic television drama night
What critics said
Critics and viewers generally recognize an earnest television drama with a charming central romance and John Travolta's coming-of-age performance, while noting liberties in its depiction of medical sterilization.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Tod Lubitch experiences teenage development, romantic interest, and a desire for independence while living inside a sterile bubble.
Tod's hermetically sealed room and protective spacesuit make his separation from ordinary life physically visible throughout the film.
Tod's relationship with Gina Biggs develops despite his inability to share ordinary physical proximity with her.
Tod's parents organize his sterile existence while his growing independence creates pressure against total protection.
Films like The Boy in the Plastic Bubble, and why
The Other Side of the Mountain
shared coming of age drama, youthful romance, and protagonists constrained by unusual circumstances
Mask
shared earnest disability-focused romance, family drama, and emotional struggle for independence
Five Feet Apart
shared medically constrained protagonist, tender romance, and yearning for ordinary teenage life
Movie Details
- Director
- Randal Kleiser
- Release Date
- 1976-11-12
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 5.6 / 10 (121)
Cast
- John Travolta
- Glynnis O'Connor
- Robert Reed
- Diana Hyland
- Karen Morrow
- Howard Platt
- Buzz Aldrin
- Ralph Bellamy
- John Friedrich
- Kelly Ward
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Night Flight Plus, FlixFling, IndieFlix, Eternal Family, IndieFlix Shorts Amazon Channel, Artiflix
- Rent
- Amazon Video, FlixFling
- Buy
- Amazon Video, FlixFling
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Boy in the Plastic Bubble about?
- A medically isolated teenager reaches for romance and independence beyond the transparent walls that have kept him alive.
- What is The Boy in the Plastic Bubble like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Boy in the Plastic Bubble as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Boy in the Plastic Bubble violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Boy in the Plastic Bubble.
- What did critics think of The Boy in the Plastic Bubble?
- Critics and viewers generally recognize an earnest television drama with a charming central romance and John Travolta's coming-of-age performance, while noting liberties in its depiction of medical sterilization.
- Which films are like The Boy in the Plastic Bubble?
- Films with a similar feel include The Other Side of the Mountain, Mask, and Five Feet Apart.
- How long is The Boy in the Plastic Bubble?
- The Boy in the Plastic Bubble runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Boy in the Plastic Bubble?
- In United States, The Boy in the Plastic Bubble streams on Night Flight Plus, FlixFling, IndieFlix, Eternal Family, IndieFlix Shorts Amazon Channel, Artiflix.
