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Joe Versus the Volcano

Play trailer Poster for Joe Versus the Volcano PG 1990 1h 42m Romance Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
65% Tomatometer 37 Reviews 54% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Joe Banks (Tom Hanks) is dying, apparently. This is good news, since his life was not much worth living anyway. On the upside, a strange millionaire (Lloyd Bridges) offers Joe a way to die with meaning and dignity: by hurling himself into a volcano. With plenty of spending cash and an ensemble of new luggage, Joe embarks on an absurdist journey to his demise, guided by two very disparate sisters, and trying to puzzle out the meaning of existence.
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Joe Versus the Volcano

Joe Versus the Volcano

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Critics Consensus

Joe Versus the Volcano erupts with plenty of screwball energy and thoughtful observations about living to the fullest, but its existential ambition may prove too goofy for some audiences.

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Critics Reviews

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Jason Bailey Flavorwire 06/23/2017
It speaks to the commercial and critical success of Shanley's 1987 hit 'Moonstruck' that he was handed, by a major studio, the resources to make a movie as unapologetically weird as this one. Go to Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 01/01/2000
3.5/4
Joe Versus the Volcano achieves a kind of magnificent goofiness. Hanks and Ryan are the right actors to inhabit it, because you can never catch them going for a gag that isn't there: They inhabit the logic of this bizarre world and play by its rules. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 10/16/2023
3/4
...fares best in its oddball yet engrossing first half... Go to Full Review Tina Kakadelis Beyond the Cinerama Dome 07/25/2023
Joe Versus the Volcano stands on its own, fantastical oddities are kept grounded by the inimitable duo of Hanks & Ryan. The film proudly wears its heart on its sleeve, proclaiming that this world is beautiful. It’s a terrible shame when that is forgotten Go to Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) 10/27/2022
A script of bad sentimental lunacy. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Cory Woodroof 615 Film 06/15/2022
I now get why Roger Ebert was so obsessed with this film. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Landon J @Minxsykitty 4d Hmmmmmmmmm really wanted to like it based on it's premise, as I love these mortality parables. Unfortunately seems like there is a ton of buildup for virtually zero payoff. Character interactions are weird, pacing is weird, our MC is weird. Dunno seems like too many cooks in da kitchen. Kinda like the cross between a chicken wing and "Nothing To Lose" See more David R @Zenforcer Feb 2 I saw this movie when I was about 18 years old and I did not appreciate it.; I would not have given it a five star review. I'm much older now and I've lived a lot of life. This movie truly hits different. Whenever I need an emotional release, JVtV is my goto. The dog scene is everything (nothing bad happens to the dog). See more Irene M. @igawel Nov 28 Knowing it's intended to be a satire and a fable helps. There are some laugh out loud bits but the entire thing doesn't completely hold together See more Farah R. @Farah Nov 24 As a fan of Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan’s other two collaborations, I decided to give this one a shot. Sadly, it was nothing like Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail. The story was nonsensical and the acting was mediocre. At least it was well shot. See more Erik B @Atma-X Nov 17 A super stylized movie that clearly has a message to tell. Colorful and vibrant, this movie has some fever-dream moments, but overall is a heartwarming romance between two likeable characters. See more thiago s @Thiagostone Aug 23 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more Read all reviews
Joe Versus the Volcano

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Cast & Crew

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John Patrick Shanley

Director

Tom Hanks

Joe

Meg Ryan

DeDe

Lloyd Bridges

Graynamore

Robert Stack

Dr. Ellison

Abe Vigoda

Chief of the Waponis

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Joe Versus the Volcano

Joe Versus the Volcano (1990) Joe Versus the Volcano (1990) Joe Versus the Volcano (1990) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Joe Banks (Tom Hanks) is dying, apparently. This is good news, since his life was not much worth living anyway. On the upside, a strange millionaire (Lloyd Bridges) offers Joe a way to die with meaning and dignity: by hurling himself into a volcano. With plenty of spending cash and an ensemble of new luggage, Joe embarks on an absurdist journey to his demise, guided by two very disparate sisters, and trying to puzzle out the meaning of existence.
Director
John Patrick Shanley
Producer
Teri Schwartz
Screenwriter
John Patrick Shanley
Production Co
Warner Bros., Polyphony Digital, Amblin Entertainment
Rating
PG
Genre
Romance, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$39.1M
Runtime
1h 42m
Sound Mix
Surround