Great Balls of Fire!

  • 1989
  • PG-13
  • 108m
movieMx RATING
6.3/10330
VERDICT
ABOVE AVERAGE
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Performance & Direction: Great Balls of Fire! Review

Last updated: January 31, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: January 31, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is Great Balls of Fire! (1989) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Great Balls of Fire! features a noteworthy lineup led by Dennis Quaid . Supported by the likes of Winona Ryder and John Doe , 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?

In summary, our editorial assessment of Great Balls of Fire! (1989) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.3/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Result: ABOVE AVERAGE
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, Great Balls of Fire! stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE.

Story & Plot Summary: Great Balls of Fire!

Quick Plot Summary: Great Balls of Fire! is a Drama, History, Music film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Ending Explained: Great Balls of Fire!

Ending Breakdown: Great Balls of Fire! concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.

The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of Great Balls of Fire! reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Great Balls of Fire! Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?

Great Balls of Fire! draws heavily from documented historical records. As a drama, history, music film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.

Historical Context

The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.

Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, with attention to period detail and historical context.

Accuracy Assessment: Great Balls of Fire! adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.

Who Should Watch Great Balls of Fire!?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of the cast or director
  • Want a character-driven story with emotional moments

Box Office Collection: Great Balls of Fire!

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $17.0M
Worldwide Gross $13.7M
Trade Verdict FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT

Great Balls of Fire! Budget

The estimated production budget for Great Balls of Fire! is $17.0M. 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.

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Top Cast: Great Balls of Fire!

All Cast & Crew →
Dennis Quaid
Dennis QuaidJerry Lee Lewis
Winona Ryder
Winona RyderMyra Gale Brown
John Doe
John DoeJ.W. Brown
Stephen Tobolowsky
Stephen TobolowskyJud Phillips
Alec Baldwin
Alec BaldwinJimmy Swaggart
Lisa Blount
Lisa BlountLois Brown
Trey Wilson
Trey WilsonSam Phillips
Steve Allen
Steve AllenSteve Allen
Mojo Nixon
Mojo NixonJames Van Eaton
Kelli Clevenger
Kelli ClevengerDancer (uncredited)
Joshua Sheffield
Joshua SheffieldRusty Brown
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Great Balls of Fire! Parents Guide & Age Rating

1989 Advisory
PG-13

Official Age Rating

Wondering about Great Balls of Fire! age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

Great Balls of Fire! is rated PG-13. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of Great Balls of Fire! is 108 minutes (1h 48m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.3/10, and global performance metrics, Great Balls of Fire! is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1989 cinematic calendar.

ABOVE AVERAGE
Official movieMx status for Great Balls of Fire!. Rating: 6.3/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Great Balls of Fire! worth watching?

Great Balls of Fire! is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.3/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.

Where can I find Great Balls of Fire! parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for Great Balls of Fire! identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of Great Balls of Fire!?

The total duration of Great Balls of Fire! is 108 minutes, which is approximately 1h 48m long.

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How Great Balls of Fire! Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for Great Balls of Fire!

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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.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.3
Great Balls of Fire!
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