Johnny Be Good
Performance & Direction: Johnny Be Good Review
Last updated: January 25, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Johnny Be Good (1988) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 4.5/10. 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 Johnny Be Good features a noteworthy lineup led by Anthony Michael Hall . Supported by the likes of Robert Downey Jr. and Uma Thurman , 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 Johnny Be Good (1988) is negative. With an audience rating of 4.5/10, it stands as a decent one-time watch.
Story & Plot Summary: Johnny Be Good
Quick Plot Summary: Johnny Be Good is a Comedy 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.
Ending Explained: Johnny Be Good
Ending Breakdown: Johnny Be Good attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, 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 comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Johnny Be Good reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Johnny Be Good?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Comedy films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: Johnny Be Good
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $22.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $17.6M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Johnny Be Good Budget
The estimated production budget for Johnny Be Good is $22.0M. 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.
Top Cast: Johnny Be Good
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Where to Watch Johnny Be Good Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
MGM Plus Amazon ChannelJohnny Be Good Parents Guide & Age Rating
1988 AdvisoryWondering about Johnny Be Good age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Johnny Be Good is 91 minutes (1h 31m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 4.5/10, and global performance metrics, Johnny Be Good is classified as a AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1988 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Johnny Be Good worth watching?
Johnny Be Good is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 4.5/10 and stands as a AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Johnny Be Good parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Johnny Be Good identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Johnny Be Good?
The total duration of Johnny Be Good is 91 minutes, which is approximately 1h 31m long.
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How Johnny Be Good Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Johnny Be Good
Uneven goofy teen comedy, but often fun and funny RELEASED IN 1988 and directed by Bud Smith, "Johnny Be Good" is a high school comedy starring Anthony Michael Hall as Johnny Walker from central Texas, America's most wanted football prospect. Should Johnny take one of the tempting offers from scores of talent scouts or should he attend the local state college with his babe (Uma Thurman), giving up his football dream? Paul Gleason plays his dubiously motivated coach while Robert Downey Jr. is on hand as his amusing bud. If you remember Hall from “Sixteen Candles” (1984) and “The Breakfast Club” (1985) you might think he would be too geeky to play a quarterback stud, but he’s older here and more beefed up, not to mention 6’2”. He and Downey Jr. have great chemistry and the movie scores pretty well on the feminine front with Thurman in her debut, as well as Jennifer Tilly, Hayley Ladner (Juicy Dorfman) and some other peripherals. On the other side of the spectrum, Steve James is a stunning example of masculinity as the coach at the state college (too bad Steve died so young from cancer of unknown origin). Jim McMahon has a quality cameo. While there’s some semi-serious drama, the tone is often silly, but the movie’s kinetic and offers numerous laughs. Anyone who criticizes the film for being goofy might as well criticize water for being wet. Unfortunately the story’s awkwardly uneven and there are curious lulls. If the script were tightened up this could’ve been a hit in the 80’s teen comedy genre. Lastly, the flick features a fun rockin’ soundtrack with the likes of Judas Priest’s “Johnny B. Goode,” which plays over the end credits. THE MOVIE RUNS 1 hour 31 minutes and was shot in the San Antonio area (Georgetown & Alamo Heights) and Texas Stadium, Irving (near Dallas). GRADE: C+
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.
