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Free Guy

Life's too short to be a background character.
2021 | 115m | English

(472900 votes)

TMDb IMDb

Popularity: 10 (history)

Director: Shawn Levy
Writer: Matt Lieberman, Zak Penn
Staring:
Details

A bank teller discovers he is actually a background player in an open-world video game, and decides to become the hero of his own story. Now, in a world where there are no limits, he is determined to be the guy who saves his world his way before it's too late.
Release Date: Aug 11, 2021
Director: Shawn Levy
Writer: Matt Lieberman, Zak Penn
Genres: Comedy, Adventure, Science Fiction
Keywords artificial intelligence (a.i.), gamer, heroic, video game, bank robbery, lighthearted, hero, code, mmorpg, gun, programmer, virtual reality, bank teller, vrmmo
Production Companies 21 Laps Entertainment, Berlanti Productions, Maximum Effort, Lit Entertainment Group, 20th Century Studios
Box Office Revenue: $331,526,598
Budget: $110,000,000
Updates Updated: Aug 04, 2025 (Update)
Entered: Apr 13, 2024
Trailers and Extras

Full Credits

Name Character
Ryan Reynolds Guy
Jodie Comer Millie Rusk / Molotovgirl
Lil Rel Howery Buddy
Joe Keery Keys
Utkarsh Ambudkar Mouser
Taika Waititi Antwan
Channing Tatum Revenjamin Buttons
Aaron W Reed Dude
Britne Oldford Barista
Camille Kostek Bombshell
Mark Lainer Hostage
Mike Devine Officer Johnny
Sophie Levy Big City Dreamer
Vernon Scott Bank Manager
Naheem Garcia Convenience Store Owner Joe
Anabel Graetz Cat Lady Phyllis
Ric Plamenco Ice Cream Vendor
Kenneth Israel Businessman
Michael Malvesti Newsstand Vendor
Colin Allen Shoe Store Clerk
Michael Tow Rain Man
Hugh Jackman Masked Player in Alley (voice)
Dwayne Johnson Bank Robber #2 (voice)
Tina Fey Vacuuming Mom (voice)
John Krasinski Silhouetted Gamer (voice)
Chris Evans Chris Evans
Alex Trebek Alex Trebek
Lara Spencer Lara Spencer
Matthew Cardarople Keith, the 22-Year-Old Gamer
Jonathan De Azevedo Jonathan
Destiny Claymore Art Nerd
Tyler Blevins Ninja
Imane Anys Pokimane
Lannan Eacott Lazarbeam
Seán McLoughlin Jacksepticeye
Daniel Middleton DanTDM
Charlotte Levy Tween Gamer Girl
Colette Levy Foul-Mouthed Little Sister
Mariama Conde Teenage Girl
Olivia Z. Cote Teenage Girl
Ryan Doyle Teenage Boy
Bob Gilliam Free City News Anchor
Terri Schwartz IGN Reporter
Eugene Nomura Japanese Reporter
Euri Nomura Hinata
Octavia Chavez-Richmond Real World Coffee Shop Server
Raj Jawa Quad-Screen Gamer
Charlie Lehmer Quad-Screen Gamer
Elainy Mata Quad-Screen Gamer
Jack McLaglen Quad-Screen Gamer
Jose Guns Alves Soonami Security Guard
Minh-Anh Day Soonami Employee
Ella Faria Austrian Female Gamer
Francisco Marquez Bank Robber #1
Owen Burke Bank Robber #2
Timothy John Smith Bank Robber #3
Justin Johnston Bank Robber #4
Patrick Vincent Curran Masked Player in Alley
Lily Steven 20-Year-Old Female Gamer
Gabrielle Lorthe 20-Year-Old Female Gamer
Briana Mitchell 20-Year-Old Female Gamer
Rosario Corso Silhouetted Gamer
Regina Taufen Vacuuming Mom
Liam Campos Kid Gamer
Piper Acord Contestant
Brett Schneider Contestant
Omar Ghonim Carjacking Victim (uncredited)
Tait Fletcher Viking Warrior (uncredited)
Janelle Feigley Jogger (uncredited)
Brandon Scales Businessman (uncredited)
Name Job
Vanessa Zamarripa Stunts
Buddy Joe Hooker Stunts
Chris O'Hara Stunt Coordinator, Second Unit Director
Clay Cullen Stunt Driver
Jeremy Fry Stunt Driver
Jan Philip Cramer Head of Animation
Jalil Jay Lynch Stunts
Holly Sedillos Vocals
Ethan Tobman Production Design
Beat Frutiger Supervising Art Director
Marlene Stewart Costume Design
Josh McLaglen First Assistant Director
Nico Coucke Stunts
Daniel Stevens Stunt Double
Carolina Jiménez Layout
Matt Lieberman Screenplay, Story
Zak Penn Screenplay
George Richmond Director of Photography
Anthony Hoang Stunts
Dean Zimmerman Editor
Swen Gillberg Visual Effects Supervisor
Lori McCoy-Bell Hair Department Head
Alex Trebek In Memory Of
Wale Musician
Logic Musician
Rosine 'Ace' Hatem Stunts
Trevor Logan Stunts
Chris Palermo Stunt Driver
Mariah Carey Musician
Tait Fletcher Stunts
Jodi Michelle Pynn Stunts
Hayley Wright Stunts
Craig Henighan Sound Re-Recording Mixer, Supervising Sound Editor
Victoria Lee Parella Stunts
Steve Cooper Art Direction
Leslie E. Rollins Set Decoration
Lori Gomes Hair Setup
Christopher Conroy Set Dresser
Jennifer LaFace Propmaker
Robert McKinnon Concept Artist
Isaac Nadreau Stage Director
Kelly Walton Props
Joel Reidy Boom Operator
Tom Williams Sound Mixer
Charles Cooley Special Effects Technician
John Ruggieri Pyrotechnician
Matt Magnolia Visual Effects Coordinator
Jyothi Kalyan Sura Visual Effects Art Director
Brandon Beckman Stunt Driver
Joseph Battista Grip
Alan Markfield Still Photographer
Maurice K. McGuire Camera Operator
Adam Peabody Electrician
Tyler Swanek Loader
Eric Swanek First Assistant "A" Camera
Greg Wimer First Assistant "B" Camera
Douglas Cowell Extras Casting Coordinator
Mark Fitzgerald Location Manager
Stephanie Portnoy Porter Assistant Costume Designer
Freddy Bouciegues Fight Choreographer
Tanaz Nili Makeup Artist
Angela Marinis Makeup Artist
David Grimaldi Sound Designer
Ai-Ling Lee Sound Designer
Angelo Palazzo Sound Designer
Lisa Lobel Casting
Angela Peri Casting
Michael A. King Additional Hairstylist
Kelly Muldoon Assistant Hairstylist
Joanna Raskin Additional Hairstylist
Greg Aronowitz Prop Maker
Matthias Beeguer Concept Artist
Aimee Butterfield Props
Stanley Bystrowski Props
Jonathan Champoux Set Dresser
James Carson Concept Artist
Frans Wetterings III Gaffer
Richard Schoen Costume Supervisor
Masha Kurenkov Art Department Assistant
Daniel Hourihan Electrician
Anthony Raymond Set Designer
Fenilconic Sound Effects Designer
Jameson Everett Production Assistant
Nikos Kalaitzidis Visual Effects Supervisor
Daniel Sudick Visual Effects Supervisor
Ronna Kress Casting
Teddy Pryor Production Assistant
Christophe Beck Original Music Composer
Bryan Grill Visual Effects Supervisor
Tim Wooster Second Unit Director of Photography
Allison Gainza Special Effects Technician
Shawn Levy Director
Keith Woulard Stunts
Russell Earl Visual Effects Supervisor
Liz Bernard Animation Supervisor
Name Title
Greg Berlanti Producer
Sarah Schechter Producer
George Dewey Executive Producer
Adam Kolbrenner Producer
Mary McLaglen Executive Producer
Josh McLaglen Executive Producer
Dan Levine Executive Producer
Michael McGrath Executive Producer
Dan Cohen Co-Producer
Scott Elias Associate Producer
Shawn Levy Producer
Ryan Reynolds Producer
Rand Geiger Co-Producer
Organization Category Person
Popularity Metrics

Popularity History


Year Month Avg Max Min
2024 4 101 191 70
2024 5 238 293 185
2024 6 151 247 82
2024 7 86 117 61
2024 8 91 149 64
2024 9 70 114 52
2024 10 103 195 65
2024 11 74 118 48
2024 12 70 149 49
2025 1 76 109 53
2025 2 70 132 13
2025 3 20 70 3
2025 4 12 20 8
2025 5 12 21 9
2025 6 10 14 8
2025 7 8 10 6
2025 8 8 12 6
2025 9 10 16 7

Trending Position


Year Month High Avg
2025 9 137 515
Year Month High Avg
2025 8 178 626
Year Month High Avg
2025 7 157 581
Year Month High Avg
2025 6 218 644
Year Month High Avg
2025 5 125 669
Year Month High Avg
2025 4 123 612
Year Month High Avg
2025 3 83 571
Year Month High Avg
2025 2 171 635
Year Month High Avg
2025 1 220 584
Year Month High Avg
2024 12 234 603
Year Month High Avg
2024 11 222 588
Year Month High Avg
2024 10 140 366
Year Month High Avg
2024 9 290 576
Year Month High Avg
2024 8 203 492

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Reviews

JW2804
10.0

This is such a good movie, its got everything, a bit of sillyness, romance and action, the whole family really enjoyed it in fact the whole audience was laughing and clapping, not something you normally get in an Australian cinema. If you are debating what to watch at the cinemas watch this one its ... a blast and you wont be disappointed.

Aug 13, 2021
msbreviews
9.0

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://www.msbreviews.com/movie-reviews/free-guy-spoiler-free-review "Free Guy possesses a remarkable tribute to the gaming community, but it's the surprisingly clever, thematically rich screenplay that makes it one of my favorite films of the year. In addition to the ... impressive visuals, hilarious comedy bits, and thrilling action sequences, Shawn Levy, Matt Lieberman, and Zak Penn offer a brilliant narrative that deeply explores human nature and what the viewers perceive as "real". Superb acting from the entire cast, namely Ryan Reynolds and Jodie Comer, and jaw-dropping cameos genuinely elevate the overall experience. Honestly, it might be the very first movie to prove that Disney owning every major studio also has its perks. What could have been "just a videogame flick" is actually a nerdgasmic, super exciting viewing with emotionally compelling characters and an extraordinarily smart story. I couldn't recommend it more to gamers, but don't let my words mislead you: Free Guy is a blast of entertainment for everyone!" Rating: A

Aug 25, 2021
5rJoud
1.0

**Ouch and Cringe** This "Ready Player One" clone is just as dumb and non-immersive as the original, only here we get our hopes up in the first 20 minutes or so. We get setup nicely with truly funny video game references, top notch CGI and clever dialogue. But then the flick degenerates into the ... same old, same old: boring villain, plot is unoriginal, action is magic, hacking is imagined by someone not owning a computer (probably just a smart phone) and finally, the philosophical idea of a first AI ever is not explored in the slightest. I know this is just supposed to be a "feel-good" film, but critical thinkers will not feel good watching this drivel. Something this trivial simply does not deserve a high score, even if it does what it's supposed to.

Sep 24, 2021
bycalvin
8.0

Free Guy was unexpected... This movie was a unexpected good movie to watch. Ryan Reynolds has quietly put together some good movies with her sense of humor / personality coming out in the roles he plays. This movie is more of a romantic comedy if you look at it as a whole. I truly enjo ... yed the experience of watching the development of the story and the cast. If you like Ryan Reynolds comedy you will enjoy this movie!

Oct 25, 2021
ChrisSawin
6.0

Ultimately, while _Free Guy_ has an amazing concept, it’s trapped within a massively underwhelming execution. Admittedly, the film looks like it was an absolute blast to make, but also incredibly expensive. This tall budget, combined with public hesitancy to return to theaters and the Delta varia ... nt of COVID seemingly on the verge of backtracking all the progress we’ve made since the vaccine became readily available to the public, it makes you wonder if _Free Guy_ has any sort of chance of making a respectable amount of money at the box office or even just breaking even. Note: This was originally written when the film opened in theaters. _Free Guy_ would go on to make $331.5 million on a $100-$125 million budget. A sequel is currently in the works. **Full review**: https://boundingintocomics.com/2021/08/17/free-guy-review-artificial-excellence/

Dec 14, 2021
mooney240
7.0

**Free Guy captures the wonder and goofiness of Elf, except with video games and Ryan Reynolds.** Free Guy is a fun yet heartwarming film that feels like the video game version of Elf with Ryan Reynolds playing the fish out of water goofy character with a heart of gold. Ryan Reynolds' Guy is fill ... ed with awe and wonder as he experiences things that the real world would consider mundane but, to him, are spectacular. The romance between the two lead characters is awkward at first, but the payoff at the end makes it worthwhile. All the video game easter eggs throughout make Free Guy a love letter to gamers, but the plot and acting keep it entertaining for anyone. Shawn Levy's experience with the Night at the Museum franchise and Real Steel prove his skill at making fun family films that adults can enjoy alongside their kids. Levy's lighthearted directing and Ryan Reynolds' goofy antics are a perfect combination making Free Guy a delightful movie that is worth a watch.

Jan 21, 2023
Dark Jedi
4.0

The story of this movie is a pretty cool idea but unfortunately it is somewhat ruined by Disney’s woke brigade. I have to say that I quite enjoyed the first third of this movie even though said woke brigade managed to throw in some woke unnecessary bullshit about “white privilege” quite early but ... from there it went rather downhill. The first third had plenty of over the top hilarious action in it. It was fun to watch. The parts where Free Guy learns to “level up” and kick ass where quite cool. From there on it started to go downhill. The idea that Millie should access some “hidden level” in the game to reveal evidence that Antwan had stolen code from her is rather ludicrous. Speaking of Antwan, can you say “over the top”? Sometimes over the top can be fun but this guy was just cringey. Although there were still plenty of cool CGI effects in the latter half of the movie it was pretty much ruined for me by several completely unnecessary strongly sexual scenes. I do not need some guy touching another guys “boobs” in my films and I do not need any boob touching at all in a movie for all audiences. Overall, at this point the movie becomes more an attempt at social engineering, propaganda and agenda feeding. The ending? It was, not very surprisingly at this point, rather meh. To me the movie more or less ended when Millie’s original level was found. The rest was just dragging it out with some rubbish about being able to do whatever you wanted and nonsense about there being so many people not wanting to actual play a game (shooter) but just mill around and watch. Sorry, people wants to play games, if not to shoot things (which most people actually wants to do) so at least to do something. Not just to watch. Also the rubbish with Antwan trashing servers to hide evidence? The usual Hollywood nonsense. No way anyone, even a game studio, running a game or service that big would not have back-ups. Too bad, it was a good idea and some parts where really cool and fun to watch but their woke brigade and Hollywood script writer’s stupidity.

May 16, 2024
Crazypiglady
8.0

Loved this film. It's pitched just right at kids and adults. Such a clever script and great story both at face value and on a deeper level of breaking out of a rut and putting some sunglasses on. Great acting, great plot and great script (The Dude has some great lines). Highly recommended family fil ... m.

Mar 05, 2023