The New Kids
Performance & Direction: The New Kids Review
Last updated: January 31, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The New Kids (1985) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.2/10. 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 The New Kids features a noteworthy lineup led by Lori Loughlin . Supported by the likes of Jean De Baer and James Spader , 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: The New Kids
Quick Plot Summary: The New Kids is a Drama, Crime, Horror 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: The New Kids
Ending Breakdown: The New Kids 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 The New Kids reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The New Kids Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The New Kids incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a drama, crime, horror 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, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: The New Kids adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The New Kids?
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: The New Kids
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $199.1K |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The New Kids Budget
The estimated production budget for The New Kids is $199.1K. 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: The New Kids
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The New Kids Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV Store
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Apple TV StoreThe New Kids Parents Guide & Age Rating
1985 AdvisoryWondering about The New Kids age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The New Kids is 86 minutes (1h 26m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.2/10, and global performance metrics, The New Kids is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1985 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The New Kids worth watching?
The New Kids is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.2/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The New Kids parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The New Kids identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The New Kids?
The total duration of The New Kids is 86 minutes, which is approximately 1h 26m long.
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How The New Kids Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The New Kids
**_A brother & sister face the challenges of a new life and school south of Miami_** After a tragedy, military siblings (Shannon Presby and Lori Loughlin) are forced to stay with their eccentric uncle & aunt in southern Florida, where they offend the local toughs at their school. Eric Stoltz plays a guy who’s interested in the sister while James Spader is on hand as the lead antagonist. "The New Kids" (1985) is cut from the same cloth as “The Karate Kid” from the year prior, just without the sports angle. It has similarities to “Tuff Turf,” which was released one week earlier and also features Spader, albeit as the protagonist. This one lacks the musical and comedic elements of “Turf” and is comparable to “Dangerously Close,” which came out the next year. Stoltz would go on to star in “Some Kind of Wonderful” a couple of years later. Loughlin is smart and winsome, but it’s blonde Paige Price who stands out on the feminine front as Karen. If you like any of the 80's teen movies mentioned and their contemporaries, “The New Kids” is worth checking out, although it’s not great like "The Karate Kid,” not to mention "Dangerously Close" and "Some Kind of Wonderful" are superior. One issue is that it’s overlong by about 15-20 minutes. Speaking of which… The film runs 1 hour, 50 minutes, and was shot in Miami-Dade County, Florida, including Homestead and Perrine, which are in extreme southeastern Florida. GRADE: B-
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.
