Where to Watch Awakenings (1990) in the US

What it's about

1969. Dr. Malcolm Sayer is hired as a clinical physician at a local hospital in the Bronx, despite he only having a research background. The job is not ideal on his side as he has difficulties relating to people which is the reason he has focused on research projects not involving human subjects, while the hospital hires him somewhat out of desperation in not finding anyone else with the qualifications who wants the job. Most of his patients are in a semi-catatonic state and are housed in what some of the orderlies coin the "garden" ward, where all they can do for the patients is water and feed them. He notices that some of the patients, despite their generally catatonic state, respond in unusual ways to certain stimuli. In doing some research, he also finds that some common bonds between these patients are that they suffered from encephalitis in the 1920s or 1930s, and that their physical states are like they have Parkinson's disease frozen in time. As such, he is able to convince, albeit reluctantly, his skeptical boss, Dr. Kaufman, to administer an expensive experimental drug therapy on only one patient with family consent. That patient is forty-one year old Leonard Lowe, who has been in his current state since he was eleven years old, and who has been supported by his loving mother through all these years. As the drug therapy "awakens" Leonard, there are several issues that come into play. Malcolm has to try and convince Kaufman and the hospital administration to extend the therapy to the other patients. Despite not knowing the long term effects, Leonard, who was aware of his surroundings through his catatonic state, may have mixed emotions about his situation, wanting both to be treated as human being and an experiment guinea pig to ensure that what is happening benefits him and others in the long run. Mrs. Lowe may be unprepared for the new Leonard, she expecting who she remembers as a sweet eleven year old boy. Through all these issues, what may be the most illuminating issue for Malcolm is the need to stimulate the human spirit, including his own in dealing with people around him.

Cast and crew

Director

Penny Marshall

Writer

Oliver Sacks, Steven Zaillian

Starring

Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, Julie Kavner

Details

Release date

Jan 11, 1991

Language

English

Country

United States

Box office

$52,096,475

Awards

Nominated for 3 Oscars. 6 wins & 11 nominations total

Where to Watch Awakenings (1990) in the US — common questions

Where to watch Awakenings in the United States?

Awakenings is available with a subscription, free with ads, or to rent in the United States. Watch the movie with a subscription on Sony Pictures Core (4K). Watch the movie free with ads on Tubi TV. Rent the movie on Apple TV Store, Fandango at Home, and Prime Video.

Can I stream Awakenings or do I have to rent it in the United States?

Watch the movie with a subscription on Sony Pictures Core (4K). Rent the movie on Apple TV Store, Fandango at Home, and Prime Video.

Can I watch Awakenings for free in the United States?

Watch the movie free with ads on Tubi TV.