That Thing You Do!

1996 Directed by Tom Hanks

In every life there comes a time when that dream you dream becomes that thing you do.

A Pennsylvania band scores a hit in 1964 and rides the star-making machinery as long as it can, with lots of help from its manager.

Tom Everett Scott Johnathon Schaech Tom Hanks Steve Zahn Ethan Embry Liv Tyler Charlize Theron Bill Cobbs Giovanni Ribisi Obba Babatundé Alex Rocco Chris Isaak Holmes Osborne Chris Ellis Peter Scolari Rita Wilson Kevin Pollak Robert Torti Claudia Stedelin Dawn Maxey Jonathan Demme Paul Feig Bryan Cranston Colin Hanks Sarah Koskoff Clint Howard Sean Whalen Marc McClure

Alternative Titles

Eso que tu Haces, The Wonders: O Sonho Não Acabou, That Thing You Do - EC, Cette chose que tu fais!, Cette chose que tu fais !

comedy romance drama

108 mins More details at IMDb TMDb Report this film

Popular reviews

Review by Chris Burns ★★★ 5

Bryan Cranston plays an astronaut in this film, just like Tom Hanks did in Apollo 13. Hanks plays a character called Mr. White, just like Cranston would later do in Breaking Bad.
This prompted a Keanu style, "whoa!"
Join me next time for another exciting edition of Things Chris Noticed.
Review by Sarah Jane 🔪 ★★★½

I want to be in a band called "Captain Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters"
Review by Jordan Horowitz ★★★★½ 2

I love this movie so much. (Even tho the ending is weird.)
Review by Lagerlout ★★★★ 1

After going out last weekend and the DJ played the theme song from this film, I haven't been able to get it out of my head all week. The only solution was to watch the film in all it's cheesy 90s glory.
I somehow managed to get the extended edition, which if you're planning on watching it, don't bother at all. Where the theatrical version is slick, quick paced and fresh, the extra half an hour or so makes the film seem clunky and long-winded. These scenes are completely unnecessary and sure, if gives a little back story, but no one was crying out to see more about Tina and her dentist. That never needed to be in there, leave…
Review by Keith Phipps ★★★½

First viewing in 20+ years and I watched the long version this time. If ever a film needed to be the equivalent of a spritely 2:52 pop single, it's this one. That said, there's nothing really _bad_ in the restored scenes. They just make the whole thing baggy. (Best addition: It's strongly suggested that Hanks' character is involved with a man in a sports car played by Howie Long.) For all the film's smoothness it does feel true to the experience of those who bubbled up briefly in the years after the Beatles but couldn't find a way to go the distance. Also: Tom Everett Scott's obviously done fine for himself but it's strange he didn't become a bigger star.
Review by Holly-Beth ★★★½

i love tam honks

Recent reviews

Review by Startug ★★★½

Peppy fare. Mr Hanks was lax at the opening, throwing the viewer into the deep end of his lovingly recreated 1960s Pennsylvania small town, and the young dreamers who stalked its diners, particular grounds for clicking with the gang only arriving about fifteen minutes after the movie had started, when they began playing their one hit at a hopping Italian restaurant. After this, though, the story of The Oneders’ rise and rise ambled along most agreeably, with a few scenes even surpassing agreeableness. The screen was veritably ablaze with joy as the title song (which sounded exactly as if it could have been a hit parade sensation) received its first airplay. The peculiar sense of triumph that comes with nailing…
Review by Keith Phipps ★★★½

First viewing in 20+ years and I watched the long version this time. If ever a film needed to be the equivalent of a spritely 2:52 pop single, it's this one. That said, there's nothing really _bad_ in the restored scenes. They just make the whole thing baggy. (Best addition: It's strongly suggested that Hanks' character is involved with a man in a sports car played by Howie Long.) For all the film's smoothness it does feel true to the experience of those who bubbled up briefly in the years after the Beatles but couldn't find a way to go the distance. Also: Tom Everett Scott's obviously done fine for himself but it's strange he didn't become a bigger star.
Review by Dave ★★★½

To be discussed on an upcoming Films(trips) podcast!
Review by Denzel ★★★½

I gotta stop watching all these band films.
Review by sandytimberhut ★★★★

This movie is the reason why I exclusively date drummers, well that and I have horrible taste in men ... sue me
Now while Guy may have been my childhood crush and the aforementioned love of drummers but Steve Zahn’s character ‘Lenny’ is what makes this movie such a pleasure to re-watch. He has arguably some of the best lines in the movie
I’ll rewatch the entire film just for the scene in which Lenny cracks subtle jokes about presidential flash cards and the bands name being the ’O-nedders’
I always forget how good the cameo’s are, Charlize Theron, Bryan Cranston, Paul Feig and Chris Issak! and thats not even including the Hanks family members, We want more Cameos dammit, MORE!!!
p.s. Do yourself a favour and never listen to New Found Glory’s cover of “That thing you do” unless your kink is disappointment
Review by Maddie Meyers ★★★★★

I cant believe I haven't reviewed this movie wtf. Anyways, this movie is the mother fucking BEST. I have the CD in my car, and it plays like always. It looks like Lenny's going fishing!
Review by ekoford ★★★★

Let’s start a band!!!!
Review by Ernesto ★★★★

Watched in Radio & TV Programming
Review by destiny 🌹 ★★★★

in this house we love and support guy & faye!
they perform the song “that thing you do” quite a bit, not surprising because that’s the movie title, but i don’t mind it, it’s catchy. this movie’s great; i love the story and the songs and guy & faye’s relationship is cute af 🥺 and i gotta mention lamarr. he wasn’t a main character but he was cool as hell and i’d stay at his hotel anytime.