Real Genius
“When he gets mad, he doesn't get even… he gets creative.”
Synopsis
When teenage geniuses Mitch Taylor and Chris Knight, working on an advanced laser project, learn that the military wants to use it as a weapon, they decide to thwart the plan.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Official TrailerOfficial
Type: Trailer • Published 2022-09-13
Top Cast
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Val Kilmer
Chris Knight
Gabriel Jarret
Mitch Taylor
Michelle Meyrink
Jordan
William Atherton
Professor Hathaway
Robert Prescott
Kent
Louis Giambalvo
Major Carnagle
Jon Gries
Lazlo Hollyfeld
Ed Lauter
CIA Man Decker
Stacy Peralta
Shuttle Pilot
Daniel Ades
Laser Ray Victim
Andres Aybar
Bartender
Charles Shull
Air Force General
Beau Billingslea
George
Charles Parks
Larry
Sean Frye
Boy at Science Fair
JoAnn Willette
Girl at Science Fair
Ina Gould
Old Lady
Nadine Vix
Student at Science Fair
Release History & Theatrical Window
August 7, 1985
Wide Cinema Exhibition
June 11, 2002
Physical Home Media
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$8M
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$13M
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
1.62x
+$5M net gain
Theatrical Status
Budget Return
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Martha Coolidge
- Screenplay & Story
- Neal Israel, Pat Proft, PJ Torokvei
- Original Score
- Thomas Newman
- Original Title
- Real Genius
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 46m
- Production Budget
- $8M
- Worldwide Gross
- $13M
- Production Studios
- Tri-Star-Delphi III Productions, Brian Grazer Productions
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Martha Coolidge
Neal Israel, Pat Proft, PJ Torokvei
Thomas Newman
Vilmos Zsigmond, Frederick Elmes
Richard Chew
Robert Daley, Brian Grazer
Department Leadership Roster
Richard Chew
Editor
Martha Coolidge
Director
Josan F. Russo
Production Design
Thomas Newman
Original Music Composer
Richard L. Bennett
Visual Effects Supervisor
Neal Israel
Screenplay
Pat Proft
Screenplay
Brian Grazer
Producer
PJ Torokvei
Screenplay
Vilmos Zsigmond
Director of Photography
David Stipes
Visual Effects Supervisor
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
PG: Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
International Certification Matrix
Parental Guidance — Recommended for mature viewers.
FSK 6 — Restricted to viewers aged 6 and older.
Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Real Genius.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Real Genius
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Real Genius about?
When teenage geniuses Mitch Taylor and Chris Knight, working on an advanced laser project, learn that the military wants to use it as a weapon, they decide to thwart the plan.
Who directed Real Genius?
Real Genius was directed by Martha Coolidge.
Who stars in Real Genius?
The principal cast of Real Genius includes Val Kilmer, Gabriel Jarret, Michelle Meyrink, William Atherton, Robert Prescott.
When was Real Genius released and how long is it?
Real Genius was released in 1985 with a total runtime of 1h 46m.
What was the box office and production budget of Real Genius?
Real Genius had a reported production budget of $8M and grossed $13M at the worldwide box office (1.62 return on budget, classified as a budget recovered).
Who composed the musical score for Real Genius?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Real Genius was composed by Thomas Newman.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Real Genius?
Real Genius holds official age classifications: AU: PG (Parental Guidance — Recommended for mature viewers.); DE: 6 (FSK 6 — Restricted to viewers aged 6 and older.); US: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.).