Skip to content
The Sure Thing poster
6.5 / 10(342 votes)IMDbPG-1319851h 35m$18.1M Worldwide GrossUnited States of America

The Sure Thing

“A sure thing comes once in a lifetime... but the real thing lasts forever.”

Synopsis

Gib, a beer-guzzling slob, and Alison, an uptight Ivy-Leaguer, are an unlikely duo stuck together on a cross-country trip during Christmas break. At first they get on each other's nerves but, as time passes, they find their divergent natures complement each other. Now they need to realize what they've already found before it's too late.

Play Movie

Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes

Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.

The Sure Thing (Trailer) (1985).avi

Type: Trailer • Published 2011-05-26

Release History & Theatrical Window

Theatrical Premiere

March 1, 1985

Wide Cinema Exhibition

4K UHD / Blu-ray Debut

August 5, 2003

Physical Home Media

Financials & Box Office Performance

ReleasedBlockbuster Success (4.03x ROI)

Production Budget

$4.5M

Filming & production cost

Worldwide Gross

$18.1M

Total global ticket sales

Box Office Return

4.03x

+$13.6M net gain

Theatrical Status

Mega Hit

Box office tier

Budget: $4.5MWorldwide: $18.1M

Key Information & Fast Facts

Director
Rob Reiner
Screenplay & Story
Steve Bloom, Jonathan Roberts
Original Score
Tom Scott
Original Title
The Sure Thing
Country of Origin
United States of America
Spoken Languages
English
Runtime
1h 35m
Production Budget
$4.5M
Worldwide Gross
$18.1M
Production Studios
Monument Pictures, Embassy Films Associates, Embassy Pictures

Creative Leadership & Key Crew

Director

Rob Reiner

Screenplay & Story

Steve Bloom, Jonathan Roberts

Original Score & Music

Tom Scott

Director of Photography

Robert Elswit

Film Editing

Robert Leighton

Producers

Henry Winkler, Roger Birnbaum

Department Leadership Roster

Tom Scott

Original Music Composer

Roger Birnbaum

Roger Birnbaum

Producer

Durinda Wood

Costume Design

Robert Elswit

Robert Elswit

Director of Photography

Lilly Kilvert

Production Design

Rob Reiner

Rob Reiner

Director

Robert Leighton

Editor

Steve Bloom

Writer

Jonathan Roberts

Jonathan Roberts

Writer

Age Classification & Content Advisories

Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.

Primary: PG-13

PG-13: Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.

International Certification Matrix

Australia (ACB)M

Mature — Recommended for viewers 15 and older.

Germany (FSK)12

FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.

France (CNC)10

Interdit aux moins de 10 ans — 10+ only.

United Kingdom (BBFC)15

Suitable only for 15 years and over.

United States (MPAA)PG-13

Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.

Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Sure Thing.

Featured In Curated Collections

Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The Sure Thing.

Mid Hunting List

A list of mids found by Mid Hunters

11332 titles

My Movies

Master List In Progress

13642 titles

B Gardens

Full library from Vio, Sonarr, and Radarr - 9,053 items

10462 titles

All The Movies I Have Seen

All the movies i have seen in my life

3394 titles

Jellysteve

146 titles

Comedy Movies (Top Rated From 1960 To Today)

4366 titles

Similar Titles to The Sure Thing

Movies sharing stylistic DNA, tone, and thematic storytelling

  • 6.3
  • 5.2
  • 10.0
  • 7.7
  • 7.2
  • 6.2
  • 7.1
  • 6.9
  • 7.2
  • 6.1
  • 6.7
  • 7.0
  • 6.4
  • 6.0
  • 6.6
  • 5.8

More Like The Sure Thing

Recommended titles matching themes, cast, and genres.

6.4
6.2
6.4
5.9
6.0
6.2
8.4
6.2
5.8
6.5
6.2
6.6

Frequently Asked Questions About The Sure Thing

Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.

What is The Sure Thing about?

Gib, a beer-guzzling slob, and Alison, an uptight Ivy-Leaguer, are an unlikely duo stuck together on a cross-country trip during Christmas break. At first they get on each other's nerves but, as time passes, they find their divergent natures complement each other. Now they need to realize what they've already found before it's too late.

Who directed The Sure Thing?

The Sure Thing was directed by Rob Reiner.

Who stars in The Sure Thing?

The principal cast of The Sure Thing includes John Cusack, Daphne Zuniga, Anthony Edwards, Boyd Gaines, Tim Robbins.

When was The Sure Thing released and how long is it?

The Sure Thing was released in 1985 with a total runtime of 1h 35m.

What was the box office and production budget of The Sure Thing?

The Sure Thing had a reported production budget of $4.5M and grossed $18.1M at the worldwide box office (4.03 return on budget, classified as a blockbuster success).

Who composed the musical score for The Sure Thing?

The original motion picture soundtrack for The Sure Thing was composed by Tom Scott.

What is the age rating and content advisory for The Sure Thing?

The Sure Thing holds official age classifications: AU: M (Mature — Recommended for viewers 15 and older.); DE: 12 (FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.); FR: 10 (Interdit aux moins de 10 ans — 10+ only.); GB: 15 (Suitable only for 15 years and over.); US: PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.).