(500) Days of Summer
Performance & Direction: (500) Days of Summer Review
Last updated: February 4, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is (500) Days of Summer (2009) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and (500) Days of Summer features a noteworthy lineup led by Joseph Gordon-Levitt . Supported by the likes of Zooey Deschanel and Geoffrey Arend , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: (500) Days of Summer
Quick Plot Summary: (500) Days of Summer is a Comedy, Drama, Romance film that brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. Tom, greeting-card writer and hopeless romantic, is caught completely off-guard when his girlfriend, Summer, suddenly dumps him. He reflects on their 500 days together to try to figure out where their love affair went sour, and in doing so, Tom rediscovers his true passions in life. The film finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks and running gags that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Thematic Depth
The film operates on multiple levels, using its genre framework to explore deeper themes about human nature, society, and the choices that define us.
What Works & What Doesn't
✅ Strengths
- Solid execution of genre conventions
- Engaging moments that showcase the creators' vision
- Competent performances from the cast
⚠️ Weaknesses
- Some narrative choices that feel predictable
- Occasional pacing lulls in the middle act
Ending Explained: (500) Days of Summer
Ending Breakdown: (500) Days of Summer resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to comedy resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of (500) Days of Summer reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch (500) Days of Summer?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Box Office Collection: (500) Days of Summer
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $7.5M |
| Worldwide Gross | $60.8M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
(500) Days of Summer Budget
The estimated production budget for (500) Days of Summer is $7.5M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: (500) Days of Summer
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch (500) Days of Summer Online?
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Google Play MoviesYouTube(500) Days of Summer Parents Guide & Age Rating
2009 AdvisoryWondering about (500) Days of Summer age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of (500) Days of Summer is 95 minutes (1h 35m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.3/10, and global performance metrics, (500) Days of Summer is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2009 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is (500) Days of Summer worth watching?
(500) Days of Summer is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 7.3/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find (500) Days of Summer parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for (500) Days of Summer identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of (500) Days of Summer?
The total duration of (500) Days of Summer is 95 minutes, which is approximately 1h 35m long.
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Critic Reviews for (500) Days of Summer
Fun film. '(500) Days of Summer' impressed me. It features a fairly unique and a pretty refreshing romcom story, which is told in an interesting way. Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Tom) is very good, as is co-star Zooey Deschanel (Summer). The pacing is good, as are the comedic aspects. All in all it's a pleasant watch.
I recently had the opportunity to watch this movie again, many years removed from the first time I saw it. I was surprised how few details I remembered. During the movie’s sharpest moments, the dialogue is witty and fun. The story bounces around back and forth along the 500 day timeline they have measured out for the relationship between the two main characters. The device works; we get to see the state of their couple-ness at various points. It is, most of the time entertaining. But I have to say, as much as I like Zooey in her role (and this time around I know her from her great work in Elf), I was less than dazzled by our hero. I found him to be rather pathetic and despite the fun the two characters shared at times, it felt to me there was not much chemistry between the two, except when Zooey’s character exerted herself in his direction. Perhaps that was intended, given the arc of the plot. As I said above, the movie was entertaining, but ultimately I wasn’t satisfied with the ending. How it turned out for both characters, while believable when looked at from afar, came across as sudden and a little lame. More groundwork should have be laid out for where they stood at the end.
**When I suffer from love pain** after any breakup and cry for days, when I build scenarios in my head and upset myself again, **I will remember (500) days of summer** and I realised much better that t**here is nothing I need to upset myself so much,** because I have experienced that **new people will come up** and make me happy and even make me sad.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
