Pleasantville
Nothing is as simple as black and white.
1998 • 124 min • Fantasy · Comedy · Drama
Synopsis
Geeky teenager David and his popular twin sister, Jennifer, get sucked into the black-and-white world of a 1950s TV sitcom called "Pleasantville," and find a world where everything is peachy keen all the time. But when Jennifer's modern attitude disrupts Pleasantville's peaceful but boring routine, she literally brings color into its life.
Our family guide
Best from age 13- 73 Audience · 1939 · 100%
Two modern teens are magically transported into a black-and-white 1950s sitcom world where everything is "pleasant" and unchanging. Their contemporary ideas slowly introduce color and complex emotions, challenging the town's rigid norms and sparking a profound cultural shift.
- Violence & peril
- 2/10
- Language
- 3/10
- Drinking, drugs & smoking
- 1/10
- Romance & sensuality
- 4/10
- Scary moments
- 2/10
Heads up
- Discussions about societal control and repression.
- Some sexual references and situations, including implied intimacy.
- Instances of prejudice and discriminatory behavior.
What it models well
- Embracing individuality and change
- The beauty of complex emotions
- Challenging prejudice
- The power of art and literature
Talk about it after
- How showing true feelings can be a strength, not a weakness.
- The difference between superficial "pleasantness" and genuine happiness.
- Why some people resist change, even when it could lead to growth.
Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for Pleasantville. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.
Where to watch
Free
KanopyFree with ads
- YouTube Free
- Plex
- Plex Channel
YouTube Free
Plex
Plex ChannelRent
- Amazon Video
- Apple TV Store
- Google Play Movies
- YouTube
- Fandango At Home
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At HomeBuy
- Amazon Video
- Apple TV Store
- Google Play Movies
- YouTube
- Fandango At Home
Links go straight to each service. Some are affiliate links that support Movie Knight at no cost to you. Availability data by JustWatch via TMDB.
Top billed cast
Director: Gary Ross • Crew: Gary Ross
Trailers & clips
DUMB AND DUMBER’s Toilet Scene Opened the Door for Jeff Daniels in PLEASANTVILLE | TIFF Rewind
Original Theatrical Trailer
Pleasantville Trailer HD - Original
Reviewer notes
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Gallery
Details
- TMDB audience
- 7.3/10 (1,939)
- Age rating
- PG-13
- Status
- Released
- Budget
- $60,000,000
- Box office
- $49,800,000
- IMDb
- tt0120789
