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On the Road poster

On the Road (2012)

“"The best teacher is experience."”

5.6/10 · 922 votes 2h 22m r AdventureDrama

#208 of 232 films from 2012 #1486 of 1617 in adventure

Directed by Walter Salles · Written by Jose Rivera, Jack Kerouac

▶ Trailer, images & where to stream

Overview

Sal Paradise is a young writer whose life is shaken and ultimately redefined by the arrival of Dean Moriarty, a free-spirited, fearless, fast talking Westerner and his girl, Marylou. Traveling cross-country, Sal and Dean venture out on a personal quest for freedom from the conformity and conservatism engulfing them in search of the unknown, themselves, and the pursuit of “it” -- the pure essence of experience.

Cast

Garrett Hedlundas Dean Moriarty / Neal Cassady
Sam Rileyas Sal Paradise / Jack Kerouac
Kristen Stewartas Marylou / LuAnne Henderson
Amy Adamsas Jane / Joan Vollmer
Tom Sturridgeas Carlo Marx / Allen Ginsberg
Kirsten Dunstas Camille / Carolyn Cassady
Viggo Mortensenas Old Bull Lee / William S. Burroughs
Danny Morganas Ed Dunkle / Al Hinkle
Alice Bragaas Terry / Bea Franco
Elisabeth Mossas Galatea Dunkel / Helen Hinkle
Terrence Howardas Walter
Sarah Allenas Vicki
Kim Bubbsas Laura
Eric Davisas Paul

Facts

Release dateMay 22, 2012
Runtime142 min (2h 22m) — longer as the 2012 average of 103 min
GenresAdventure, Drama
LanguageEN
Budget$25,000,000
Box office$8,784,318 (0.4× budget)
IMDbtt0337692

More from Walter Salles

Central StationCentral Station1998 · ★ 8.1 · 1h 51m I'm Still HereI'm Still Here2024 · ★ 7.9 · 2h 18m The Motorcycle DiariesThe Motorcycle Diaries2004 · ★ 7.4 · 2h 6m Paris Je T'aimeParis Je T'aime2006 · ★ 6.8 · 2h 0m Dark WaterDark Water2005 · ★ 5.7 · 1h 45m

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Questions

How long is On the Road?
On the Road runs 142 minutes (2h 22m).
Is On the Road worth watching?
TMDB users give it 5.6/10 across 922 votes, which places it #208 of 232 films released in 2012 in this index (top 11%) and #1486 among 1617 adventure titles.
Who directed On the Road?
On the Road was directed by Walter Salles. Other well-rated titles by the same director: Central Station (1998), I'm Still Here (2024), The Motorcycle Diaries (2004).
Who stars in On the Road?
Garrett Hedlund as Dean Moriarty / Neal Cassady; Sam Riley as Sal Paradise / Jack Kerouac; Kristen Stewart as Marylou / LuAnne Henderson; Amy Adams as Jane / Joan Vollmer; Tom Sturridge as Carlo Marx / Allen Ginsberg; Kirsten Dunst as Camille / Carolyn Cassady.
What is On the Road rated?
It carries a r certification in its home market. Ratings differ by country.
Where can I watch the trailer for On the Road?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/24516.

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Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-05.