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Free Guy

Free Guy

Life's too short to be a background character.

2021115 minPG-13Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films
Director
Shawn Levy
Starring
Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer, Lil Rel Howery, Joe Keery

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.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Free Guy?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Free Guy streaming on Disney+ and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Free Guy?

Free Guy earns 6 badges, led by Top 10% in Action and Crowd Pleaser.

  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Free Guy worth watching?

Free Guy's Midcredits score is the 81st percentile of all films, from 1.8M ratings across 6 sources. 74% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

81st percentile

Better received than 81% of films

90th percentile among Action82nd percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)76th
Approval (how many liked it)84th

69 /100

76th percentile of all films

88th percentile among Action75th percentile among 2020s

Critics 62 · Audience 69

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.3 — solid but not unanimous.

74% liked it

84th percentile of all films

89th percentile among Action84th percentile among 2020s
74% rated it 7–1026% rated it 1–6

Critics 80% · Audience 94%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 1 Oscar noms · 6 wins / 29 noms overall

  • NominatedAcademy Awards· Best Achievement in Visual Effects
  • NominatedBAFTA Awards· Best Achievement in Special Visual Effects

90th percentile

1.8M ratings across platforms

82nd percentile among Action91st percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 16% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$120M
Opening weekend$28M
Domestic gross$122M
Worldwide gross$332M

Returned 2.8× its budget — 94th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

It's a lightweight, derivative popcorn movie that coasts on Ryan Reynolds' star power and video game references.

Fans praised

  • Ryan Reynolds' charismatic and hilarious performance
  • Original high-concept premise blending video game culture with a heartwarming story
  • Surprisingly emotional depth and feel-good message about free will

Detractors panned

  • Predictable, derivative plot heavily borrowing from The Truman Show and Ready Player One
  • Cringey, unfunny humor and shallow video game stereotypes
  • Taika Waititi's over-the-top, annoying villain and forced woke/political messaging

What stands out

Effects and spectacleDivisive75

Impressive CGI and bombastic action sequences; some call it over-CGI'd

ActingDivisive72

Ryan Reynolds carries the film with his signature charm; Jodie Comer also praised, but Waititi's overacting criticized

AtmosphereDivisive70

Immersion in a GTA-like game world; feels alive and chaotic

HumorDivisive55

Divisive; many found it genuinely funny but detractors call it cringey and forced

CharactersDivisive55

Guy is lovable but one-dimensional; villain Antwan derided as a cringey caricature; supporting NPCs thin

PacingDivisive55

First half energetic; drags in midsection with tedious real-world subplot

OriginalityDivisive50

Fresh take on NPC/AI awakening but heavily borrows from earlier films

Plot and storyDivisive45

Derivative mashup of The Truman Show and Ready Player One; illogical game mechanics; predictable

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 5 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 4 points apart
  • Critics vs users 9 points apart
  • US vs non-US 1 point apart

Watch experience

What is Free Guy like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Fun ride: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want a fun ride.

It is funny, never lets up and leaves you entertained. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Fun ride.

The answer rests on this: Moods
JoyfulThrillingHopeful
Heaviest: middle
Warm humor
Register
PlayfulWarm
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its video game reality and AI awakening premise straight, but with a warm, playful energy that never mocks its characters.
The rideThe first half is light and energetic; the middle introduces emotional stakes as Guy learns the truth, before resolving warmly.
StructureThe story follows a conventional three-act structure: Guy's awakening and romance, the conflict with Soonami, and the climactic rescue and resolution.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

The answer rests on this: FunHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayFree Guy leaves you grinning with its playful energy and sincere optimism about finding purpose and connection.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).QuestRescue
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10% (this title): Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% (this title) · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Quest: A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles. · Rescue: Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).

10% of films fit this archetype

with Rebirth underneath

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeGuy, an NPC, embarks on a quest to save his digital world and rescue the woman he loves, undergoing a personal awakening from programmed existence to self-aware hero.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfIdentitySelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% (this title) · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% (this title) · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% (this title) · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Identity · 14% of filmsFriendship · 9% of filmsCommunity · 14% of films: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Dual lead
How it treats its themeGuy discovers he is an NPC and chooses to define himself beyond his programming, building a community of awakened NPCs.
StanceThe film celebrates identity and community as Guy chooses to define himself and saves his world alongside Millie.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanInstitutionalScience fiction
Orchestral classicalPopForeground music · hybrid · Christophe Beck
SettingA fictional open-world video game city and the real-world game studio that runs it.
MusicFeatures a prominent use of Mariah Carey's Fantasy as a romantic leitmotif.

Content guide

Is Free Guy okay for kids?

PG-13

Free Guy is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for strong fantasy violence throughout, language and crude/suggestive references” (MPAA). As of August 18, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (53/100), sexual content at mild (24/100), language at moderate (59/100), drug and alcohol content at minimal (11/100) and frightening material at mild (32/100). Overall it is heavier than 50% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 32 other countries
  • UK12A
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany12
  • France12
  • Ireland12A
  • New ZealandM
  • JapanG
  • South Korea12
  • Brazil12
  • Belgium16
  • BGC
  • Czechia12+
  • GreeceΚ-12
  • Hong KongIIA
  • Hungary12
  • IndiaUA
  • IsraelAll
  • ItalyT
  • LTN-13
  • Netherlands12
  • Poland16
  • PortugalM/12
  • PRPG-13
  • ROA.P. - 12
  • Russia16+
  • SingaporePG13
  • SK12
  • Spain12
  • Sweden11
  • Switzerland12
  • Taiwan6+
  • THน.13+
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 32% of all filmsHeavier than 50% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 57%
Sex & Nudity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 39%
Profanity
Moderate
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 87%
Alcohol & Drugs
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 11%
Frightening / Intense
Mild
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 30%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is language, heavier than 87% of PG-13-rated films.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Free Guy have?

MovieCove's classifier found 2 depicted content warnings in Free Guy: Gun violence (moderate), Gore or body horror (mild). Each is backed by a verbatim quote from the parents' guide notes; a missing warning is not a guarantee of absence.

ModerateGun violence
MildGore or body horror

Cast and crew

Who is in Free Guy?

Cast

2 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Ryan Reynolds
as Guy
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Jodie Comer
as Millie
Lil Rel Howery
as Buddy
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Joe Keery
as Keys
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Utkarsh Ambudkar
as Mouser
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.
Taika Waititi
as Antwan
Channing Tatum
as Revenjamin Buttons
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Aaron W Reed
as Dude
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Britne Oldford
as Barista
Camille Kostek
as Bombshell
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Free Guy?

Movies like Free Guy include Ready Player One (2018), Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009) and Inspector Gadget (1999). Of the 12 closest matches, several are films by Shawn Levy, and half are action comedies.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

Zak Penn wrote 3 of these 12. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Free Guy?

1.8K other films share the rarest tag below, follows: adventurer. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.