Best Friends
“What a present for Christmas”
Synopsis
When a professional couple, who have lived and worked together for many years, finally decide to marry, their sudden betrothal causes many unexpected difficulties. They soon find that being married is often quite different from being "best friends."
Top Cast
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Burt Reynolds
Richard Babson
Goldie Hawn
Paula McCullen
Jessica Tandy
Eleanor McCullen
Barnard Hughes
Tim McCullen
Audra Lindley
Ann Babson
Keenan Wynn
Tom Babson
Ron Silver
Larry Weisman
Richard Libertini
Jorge Medina
Peggy Walton-Walker
Carol Brandon
Noah Hathaway
Lyle Ballou
Mikey Martin
Robbie Ballou
Helen Page Camp
Maid
Joan Pringle
Doria
Vincent J. Isaac
Cab Driver
Jeffrey Bannister
Shoe Salesman
Alfred Mariorenzi
Gate Guard
David Cullinane
Waiter
Rodney Kageyama
Meter Reader
Release History & Theatrical Window
December 17, 1982
Wide Cinema Exhibition
May 1, 1995
Physical Home Media
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$15M
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$36.8M
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
2.45x
+$21.8M net gain
Theatrical Status
Profitable
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Norman Jewison
- Screenplay & Story
- Valerie Curtin, Barry Levinson, Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman
- Original Score
- Michel Legrand
- Original Title
- Best Friends
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 56m
- Production Budget
- $15M
- Worldwide Gross
- $36.8M
- Production Studios
- Warner Bros. Pictures, Timberlane Productions
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Norman Jewison
Valerie Curtin, Barry Levinson, Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman
Michel Legrand
Jordan Cronenweth
Don Zimmerman
Joe Wizan, Patrick J. Palmer, Norman Jewison
Department Leadership Roster
Norman Jewison
Director
Valerie Curtin
Writer
Barry Levinson
Writer
Patrick J. Palmer
Producer
Norman Jewison
Producer
Don Zimmerman
Editor
Jordan Cronenweth
Director of Photography
Betsy Cox
Costume Design
Michel Legrand
Original Music Composer
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
FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.
Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Best Friends.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Best Friends.
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Golden Globe Nominated Titles - IMDb
1980
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Frequently Asked Questions About Best Friends
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Best Friends about?
When a professional couple, who have lived and worked together for many years, finally decide to marry, their sudden betrothal causes many unexpected difficulties. They soon find that being married is often quite different from being "best friends."
Who directed Best Friends?
Best Friends was directed by Norman Jewison.
Who stars in Best Friends?
The principal cast of Best Friends includes Burt Reynolds, Goldie Hawn, Jessica Tandy, Barnard Hughes, Audra Lindley.
When was Best Friends released and how long is it?
Best Friends was released in 1982 with a total runtime of 1h 56m.
What was the box office and production budget of Best Friends?
Best Friends had a reported production budget of $15M and grossed $36.8M at the worldwide box office (2.45 return on budget, classified as a commercial hit).
Who composed the musical score for Best Friends?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Best Friends was composed by Michel Legrand.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Best Friends?
Best Friends holds official age classifications: DE: 12 (FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.); US: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.).