The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
Ben Stiller directs and stars in this visually stunning adventure about a daydreamer who discovers the extraordinary world waiting just beyond his imagination.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
- Release Year: 2013
- Directed by: Ben Stiller
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
- Age Rating (US): PG
- Runtime: 1h 54m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Icelandic, Spanish
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 18, 2013 (Belgium - 14), December 25, 2013 (United States - PG), December 25, 2013 (Canada - PG), December 26, 2013 (United Kingdom - PG), December 31, 2013 (Germany - 6), January 1, 2014 (France - U), December 26, 2013 (New Zealand - PG), December 26, 2013 (Australia - PG), December 20, 2013 (Brazil - 10), January 31, 2014 (Mexico), December 19, 2013 (Italy - T), December 25, 2013 (Spain - 7), December 31, 2013 (South Korea - 12)
- Alternative Titles: 梦里乾坤 (CN), LIFE！／ライフ (JP), Neveroyatnaya zhizn Waltera Mitty (RU), უოლტერ მიტის წარმოუდგენელი ცხოვრება (GE), Walter Mitty'nin Gizli Həyatı (AZ), ชีวิตพิศวงของวอลเตอร์ มิตตี้ (TH)
- Production Companies: Samuel Goldwyn Films, Red Hour, New Line Cinema, Big Screen Productions, Down Productions, Ingenious Media, 20th Century Fox, TSG Entertainment
- Production Countries: United Kingdom, United States of America, Australia, Canada, Iceland
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty - Plot
A timid magazine photo manager who lives life vicariously through daydreams embarks on a true-life adventure when a negative goes missing.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see Walter's extraordinary journey come to life:
Stop dreaming. Start living.
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The Secret Life of Walter Mitty - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Ben Stiller
Main Cast
- Ben Stiller
- Kristen Wiig
- Sean Penn
- Shirley MacLaine
- Adam Scott
- Kathryn Hahn
- Patton Oswalt
- Adrian Martinez
- Ólafur Darri Ólafsson
- Gunnar Helgason
Writers
- Steven Conrad
Producers
- Ben Stiller
- John Goldwyn
- Samuel Goldwyn Jr.
- Stuart Cornfeld
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty - FAQs
Is The Secret Life of Walter Mitty based on a true story?
No, it is not based on a true story. The film is adapted from James Thurber's 1939 short story of the same name, originally published in The New Yorker. The story is a fictional character study about an ordinary man who escapes mundane reality through elaborate daydreams.
Where can you stream The Secret Life of Walter Mitty?
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is available to watch for free on BYUtv. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Check JustWatch for the most current availability in your region.
What does the ending of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty mean?
The ending represents Walter's transformation from a passive dreamer into someone who fully inhabits his own life. When he finally sees the photograph Sean O'Connell dedicated to him — the 'quintessence of life' — it confirms that Walter's real journey was always the point, not the destination.
Who are the main actors in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty?
The film stars Ben Stiller as Walter Mitty, Kristen Wiig as Cheryl Melhoff, and Sean Penn as the elusive photographer Sean O'Connell. The supporting cast includes Shirley MacLaine, Adam Scott, Kathryn Hahn, and Patton Oswalt.
What is the age rating for The Secret Life of Walter Mitty?
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is rated PG in the United States, making it suitable for most audiences. The film contains mild action sequences and some thematic elements but is generally family-friendly with no strong language or graphic content.
Where was The Secret Life of Walter Mitty filmed?
The film was shot across multiple countries to capture its globe-trotting spirit. Key locations include Iceland, which doubled for Greenland and the Himalayas, as well as New York City for Walter's everyday life. Additional scenes were filmed in Stykkishólmur and other Icelandic landscapes.
How long is The Secret Life of Walter Mitty?
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty has a runtime of 1 hour and 54 minutes (114 minutes). The film was released in the United States on December 25, 2013, and is rated PG.
How was The Secret Life of Walter Mitty received by critics?
Critical reception was mixed to moderately positive. Many reviewers praised the film's stunning visuals, Ben Stiller's restrained performance, and its heartfelt optimism, while some felt the story was thin. Audiences responded more warmly, appreciating its inspirational tone and breathtaking cinematography.
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