That Thing You Do!

  • 1996
  • PG
  • 108m
movieMx RATING
6.9/10898
VERDICT
HIT
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Performance & Direction: That Thing You Do! Review

Last updated: January 26, 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 26, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is That Thing You Do! (1996) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.9/10. 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 That Thing You Do! features a noteworthy lineup led by Tom Hanks . Supported by the likes of Tom Everett Scott and Liv Tyler , 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 That Thing You Do! (1996) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.9/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.

Result: HIT
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, That Thing You Do! stands as a HIT.

Story & Plot Summary: That Thing You Do!

Quick Plot Summary: That Thing You Do! is a Comedy, Drama, Romance, Music 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. A Pennsylvania band scores a hit in 1964 and rides the star-making machinery as long as it can, with lots of help from its manager. But behind the scenes, the group’s sudden fame tests their strength, their maturity and responsibility, and their ability to resist the temptations that money and notoriety always make possible. 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.

Ending Explained: That Thing You Do!

Ending Breakdown: That Thing You Do! concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents 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 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 That Thing You Do! reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch That Thing You Do!?

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: That Thing You Do!

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $26.0M
Worldwide Gross $34.6M
Trade Verdict CLEAN HIT

That Thing You Do! Budget

The estimated production budget for That Thing You Do! is $26.0M. 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: That Thing You Do!

All Cast & Crew →
Tom Hanks
Tom HanksMr. White
Tom Everett Scott
Tom Everett ScottGuy Patterson
Liv Tyler
Liv TylerFaye Dolan
Johnathon Schaech
Johnathon SchaechJimmy Mattingly
Steve Zahn
Steve ZahnLenny Haise
Ethan Embry
Ethan EmbryT.B. Player
Chris Ellis
Chris EllisPhil Horace
Alex Rocco
Alex RoccoSol Siler
Bill Cobbs
Bill CobbsDel Paxton
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Where to Watch That Thing You Do! Online?

Streaming Hub

🎟️ Rent on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
Fandango At HomeFandango At Home

🏷️ Buy on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
Fandango At HomeFandango At Home

That Thing You Do! Parents Guide & Age Rating

1996 Advisory
PG

Official Age Rating

Wondering about That Thing You Do! age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

That Thing You Do! is rated PG. Parents should be aware that it contains romantic content. It is generally suitable for all ages.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of That Thing You Do! 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 6.9/10, and global performance metrics, That Thing You Do! is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1996 cinematic calendar.

HIT
Official movieMx status for That Thing You Do!. Rating: 6.9/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is That Thing You Do! worth watching?

That Thing You Do! is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 6.9/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find That Thing You Do! parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for That Thing You Do! identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of That Thing You Do!?

The total duration of That Thing You Do! is 108 minutes, which is approximately 1h 48m long.

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How That Thing You Do! Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for That Thing You Do!

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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
★ 6.9
That Thing You Do!
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