Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- sincere
- nostalgic
- nostalgic movie night
- teen romance night
What critics said
Critics generally viewed it as an above-average John Hughes-style teen romance with a clever revision of familiar romantic conventions, though some found its story unrealistic.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Keith initially pursues Amanda while the story gradually foregrounds Watts's longstanding emotional connection to him.
Keith is a working-class gas-station employee pursuing affluent popular student Amanda while facing her wealthy ex-boyfriend Hardy.
Keith remains oblivious to Watts's feelings as he idealizes Amanda, making emotional awareness central to his maturation.
The high school setting, popular-girl status, ex-boyfriend rivalry, house party, and outsider identities shape the film's social landscape.
Films like Some Kind of Wonderful, and why
Pretty in Pink
shared 1980s teen romance, class tension, outsider friendship, and coming-of-age themes
The Breakfast Club
shared high school romance, witty adolescent conflict, and John Hughes-era teen-film sensibility
Sixteen Candles
shared youthful romantic longing, social status anxieties, and warm coming-of-age tone
Movie Details
- Director
- Howard Deutch
- Release Date
- 1987-02-27
- Runtime
- 95 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (562)
Cast
- Eric Stoltz
- Mary Stuart Masterson
- Lea Thompson
- Chynna Phillips
- Craig Sheffer
- John Ashton
- Elias Koteas
- Maddie Corman
- Molly Hagan
- Bryan Scott
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel
- 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 Some Kind of Wonderful about?
- A working-class high school senior must look past his idealized romance to recognize the best friend whose loyalty and love have been beside him all along.
- What is Some Kind of Wonderful like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Some Kind of Wonderful as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Some Kind of Wonderful violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Some Kind of Wonderful as mild.
- What did critics think of Some Kind of Wonderful?
- Critics generally viewed it as an above-average John Hughes-style teen romance with a clever revision of familiar romantic conventions, though some found its story unrealistic.
- Which films are like Some Kind of Wonderful?
- Films with a similar feel include Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club, and Sixteen Candles.
- How long is Some Kind of Wonderful?
- Some Kind of Wonderful runs 95 minutes.
- Where can I watch Some Kind of Wonderful?
- In United States, Some Kind of Wonderful streams on fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel.
