---
title: "Groundhog Day"
year: 1993
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/groundhog-day"
fi1m_id: "groundhog-day"
imdb_id: "tt0107048"
tmdb_id: 137
wikidata_id: "Q488655"
fi1m_score: 88
critics_score: 87
critics_reviews: 8
published: "2026-09-14"
updated: "2026-09-18T08:38:13.874974+00:00"
region: "US"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Groundhog Day (1993)

Directed by Harold Ramis · 1h 41m · MPA PG · Romance, Fantasy, Comedy

## Identity

Groundhog Day

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/groundhog-day
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** groundhog-day
- **IMDb ID:** tt0107048
- **TMDB ID:** 137
- **Wikidata ID:** Q488655
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107048/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/137, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q488655

**Fi1m score: 88** · Critics 87 from 8 reviews

*In a sentence:* Bill Murray makes being asked to be pleasant look like a serious breach of his employment contract

> Bill Murray makes repeated irritation remarkably funny in Harold Ramis’s warm, sharp comedy about being stuck with yourself. The romance gives Andie MacDowell too little room, but the jokes and the patience with Phil’s bad behaviour earn our recommendation.

## Synopsis

Phil Connors (Bill Murray) is a cynical weatherman who finds himself living the same day repeatedly. The people around him include Rita Hanson (Andie MacDowell), Larry (Chris Elliott) and Ned Ryerson (Stephen Tobolowsky), whose company Phil must face again and again. With familiar situations returning and no ordinary way forward, he has to work out what to do with a day that keeps coming back. Harold Ramis directs this fantasy comedy and romance, from a screenplay he writes with Danny Rubin.

## Review

Harold Ramis’s *Groundhog Day* takes a premise that could have produced a short sketch and finds enough in it for a rich, funny 101 minutes. We recommend it for Bill Murray’s sourness as much as for its warmth. Phil Connors, a cynical weatherman, has to live the same day repeatedly, which puts severe pressure on his belief that everybody else is the problem. Ramis and co-writer Danny Rubin understand the comic value of making such a man endure other people’s company.

The screenplay is curious about what Phil can do within that situation, and trusts us to follow without an elaborate explanation of the loop. Repetition gives the jokes a useful second chance: once we recognise a situation, Murray can change our response with a different degree of irritation. Pembroke J. Herring’s editing is crucial here. Familiarity needs enough time to register, but not so much that we begin anticipating every beat, and the cutting usually gets that balance right.

Murray makes contempt look almost reasonable, which is where the film gets its bite. Stephen Tobolowsky’s Ned Ryerson is particularly useful company: his comic persistence gives Murray something firm to push against. We laughed at Murray’s impatience, then felt slightly ashamed of recognising it. He makes the effort of listening to another person look like an unreasonable demand, and Ramis lets that ugliness remain visible beneath the joke. Tobolowsky has his own comic rhythm; he does not merely wait for the star’s response.

John Bailey’s cinematography is sensibly interested in Murray’s face. A small change of expression can alter a repeated encounter, and the images leave us room to catch it. David Nichols’s production design gives the familiar surroundings a useful ordinariness; Phil cannot blame his contempt on some grotesquely exaggerated setting. These contributions suit Ramis’s restrained direction, keeping the fantasy close to an everyday social embarrassment. The joke remains readable without the film having to make a spectacle of the loop.

The romance is less evenly written. Andie MacDowell’s Rita Hanson gives Phil a credible reason to look beyond himself, and MacDowell’s directness is a good answer to Murray’s evasions. But Rubin and Ramis give us much more reason to wonder about Phil than about Rita; she can feel like someone the screenplay approves of before it has properly introduced her. George Fenton’s music occasionally adds more sweetness than these performances need. The film is already quite capable of making a small shift in Phil’s manner count.

Fantasy comedies often hurry through the possibilities of their central idea so they can get on with a familiar lesson. This one spends time on the awkward business of being Phil, and that makes its interest in better behaviour persuasive. There are changes of tone that sit a little awkwardly together, but the film is willing to let a joke become uncomfortable without immediately reassuring us. It does not treat being pleasant as something that comes naturally to everyone. Watch it with someone who has had to put up with your bad moods.

*Fi1m score 88, published 14 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

The consensus is firmly positive, with praise centred on Bill Murray’s deadpan timing and the warmth he brings to a cynical character. Most critics credit Harold Ramis’s restrained direction with keeping the time-loop premise inventive rather than repetitive. The script earns admiration for finding both comic possibilities and philosophical substance in its central idea, while several reviews also value the supporting performances. Murray’s resistance to easy sweetness is a recurring explanation for why the romance and sentiment work.

The differences concern the degree of enthusiasm rather than any fundamental rejection of the film. Variety offers the clearest reservations, finding that the premise takes time to click and noting uneven tone and dry patches, though it still welcomes the warmth of the payoff. Elsewhere, the reviews differ over emphasis: some celebrate a comedy of ideas, while others respond chiefly to its gentleness and optimism.

## Straight answers

**Is Groundhog Day worth watching?**

*Groundhog Day* is worth watching for anyone who enjoys a comedy that lets its lead stay unpleasant for longer than is comfortable, and we scored it 88. Bill Murray's irritation carries the film, and Harold Ramis finds enough in the repeated day for a full 101 minutes. The romance gives Andie MacDowell too little room, which is our main reservation.

**How long is Groundhog Day, and what is it rated?**

*Groundhog Day* runs 1h 41m and is rated PG by the MPA in the US. It is a romance and fantasy film.

**Where can I watch Groundhog Day in the US?**

*Groundhog Day* is streaming on Amazon Prime Video in the US, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video from $3.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How does Groundhog Day compare to The Apartment?**

*Groundhog Day* and [*The Apartment*](https://film.one/film/the-apartment) are both comedies about decent behaviour being hard work, but Harold Ramis's film is the lighter and the more consistently funny of the two. Billy Wilder's is sadder and more patient with its unhappy people, and its second half runs longer than it needs. Choose Murray for laughs with some discomfort underneath; choose Wilder if you want the discomfort to matter more.

**What should I watch after Groundhog Day?**

After *Groundhog Day*, try [*The Apartment*](https://film.one/film/the-apartment) (1960, Fi1m 91): For another comedy that makes decent behaviour difficult without making it look foolish. Then [*A Matter of Life and Death*](https://film.one/film/a-matter-of-life-and-death) (1946, Fi1m 92): Romance and an impossible predicament, handled with wit and an unexpectedly practical eye; and [*After Life*](https://film.one/film/after-life) (1998, Fi1m 85): A quieter fantasy that gives ordinary memories the attention usually reserved for miracles.

### Reviews we read (9)

- **Radio Times**, David Parkinson (5/5): The review hails it as a contender for the best comedy of the 1990s, highlighting Bill Murray's career-best performance as the trapped weatherman and Ramis's inventive direction that keeps the one-gag concept fresh. Supporting turns by Tobolowsky and MacDowell are also singled out for praise. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-tffrlk/groundhog-day/)
- **Time Out**, GA (5/5): The critic praises the script's rigorous exploration of every nuance of the time-loop premise and its mix of gags with philosophical depth. Ramis directs with a light touch that allows Murray's performance to shine in this comedy of ideas. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/groundhog-day)
- **Empire**, Caroline Westbrook (90/100, inferred): Groundhog Day is one of the finest comedies of the 1990s, remaining fresh, funny and original after repeated viewings. Bill Murray delivers a career-best performance and director Harold Ramis avoids sentimentality in favour of hysterical set-pieces while offering no complex explanation for the time-loop premise. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/groundhog-day-review/)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Kenneth Turan (85/100, inferred): The critic finds it the most endearing film from Murray and Ramis, a sweet surprise that uses the star's comic hostility to make sentimentality palatable in a gentle, small-scale effort. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-02-12-ca-1227-story.html)
- **The New York Times**, Caryn James (80/100, inferred): The critic calls the film one of the season's most entertaining, crediting Bill Murray's likable cynicism for making the time-loop romance and social absurdity work as a major hit. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/1993/03/14/movies/film-view-bill-murray-takes-on-de-niro-and-a-groundhog.html)
- **RogerEbert.com**, Roger Ebert (3/4): The critic praises the film's lovable and sweet take on self-redemption through a time-loop premise, highlighting its optimistic view of human nature and originality over formulaic comedy. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/groundhog-day-1993)
- **Variety**, Richard Natale (70/100, inferred): The critic notes the premise takes time to click and the film is inconsistent in tone, but the payoff brings warmth; audiences will forgive dry patches and leave smiling thanks to the cast and Ramis's restrained direction. [Read](https://variety.com/1993/film/reviews/groundhog-day-2-1200431567/)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Duane Byrge: The critic finds the film a broad but sharply satirical comedy elevated by Murray's deadpan performance and Ramis' even-handed direction, which highlights the virtues of small-town life and its maturing effect on the cynical protagonist. A winning love subplot with Andie MacDowell adds narrative strength. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/groundhog-day-thrs-1993-review-769136/)
- **HeyUGuys**, Dave Roper (5/5): The critic calls it an utterly brilliant film and one of the very best comedies ever made, with a flawless central concept and a nigh-on faultless lead performance from Bill Murray. They single out Murray's comic timing, pathos, and the moving arc from narcissist to selfless redeemer, along with strong supporting turns that keep their characters fresh despite repetition. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/groundhog-day-blu-ray-review/)

## Details

- **Director:** Harold Ramis
- **Director:** Harold Ramis
- **Screenplay:** Danny Rubin, Harold Ramis
- **Story:** Danny Rubin
- **Cinematography:** John Bailey
- **Editor:** Pembroke J. Herring
- **Music:** George Fenton
- **Production design:** David Nichols
- **Costume design:** Jennifer Butler
- **Producer:** Trevor Albert, Harold Ramis
- **Cast:** Bill Murray as Phil Connors; Andie MacDowell as Rita Hanson; Chris Elliott as Larry; Stephen Tobolowsky as Ned Ryerson; Brian Doyle-Murray as Buster Green; Marita Geraghty as Nancy Taylor; Angela Paton as Mme Lancaster; Rick Ducommun as Gus
- **Runtime:** 1h 41m
- **Certificate (MPA):** PG
- **Release (the US):** 11 February 1993
- **Genres:** Romance, Fantasy, Comedy
- **Budget:** $15 million
- **Box office:** $71 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ADlbEQG_VA

## Where to watch in the US

- Amazon Prime Video: add-on, uhd
- Amazon Prime Video: rent $3.99, uhd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy $12.99, uhd

*Checked 2026-09-14.*

Also available in: AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, HR, HU, IE, IN, IT, JP, LT, MX, NL, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, TR, US. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Hugo Awards 1994: Best Dramatic Presentation (nominated)
- MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance 1993: MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance (nominated)
- Saturn Awards 1993: Best Costume (nominated)

## If you liked this

- *The Apartment* (1960), Fi1m 91: For another comedy that makes decent behaviour difficult without making it look foolish. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-apartment.md)
- *A Matter of Life and Death* (1946), Fi1m 92: Romance and an impossible predicament, handled with wit and an unexpectedly practical eye. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/a-matter-of-life-and-death.md)
- *After Life* (1998), Fi1m 85: A quieter fantasy that gives ordinary memories the attention usually reserved for miracles. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/after-life.md)
- *Palm Springs* (2020), Fi1m 78: A more unruly time-loop romance, with similarly little patience for its protagonists’ excuses. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/palm-springs.md)
- *The Truman Show* (1998), Fi1m 88: Another comic performance made uneasy by a life organised around an impossible situation. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-truman-show.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/groundhog-day