The Boy in the Plastic Bubble

Tod Lubitch is born with a deficient immune system. As such, he must spend the rest of his life in a completely sterile environment. His room is completely hermetically sealed against bacteria and virus, his food is specially prepared, and his only human contact comes in the form of gloved hands. The movie follows his life into a teenager.

Critics and viewers generally recognize an earnest television drama with a charming central romance and John Travolta's coming-of-age performance, while noting liberties in its depiction of medical sterilization.

• Tod Lubitch experiences teenage development, romantic interest, and a desire for independence while living inside a sterile bubble.
• Tod's hermetically sealed room and protective spacesuit make his separation from ordinary life physically visible throughout the film.
• Tod's relationship with Gina Biggs develops despite his inability to share ordinary physical proximity with her.
• Tod's parents organize his sterile existence while his growing independence creates pressure against total protection.

• The Other Side of the Mountainshared coming of age drama, youthful romance, and protagonists constrained by unusual circumstances
• Maskshared earnest disability-focused romance, family drama, and emotional struggle for independence
• Five Feet Apartshared medically constrained protagonist, tender romance, and yearning for ordinary teenage life

Director

Randal Kleiser

Release Date

1976-11-12

Runtime

96 min

Rating

5.6 / 10 (122)

What is The Boy in the Plastic Bubble about?

A medically isolated teenager reaches for romance and independence beyond the transparent walls that have kept him alive.

What is The Boy in the Plastic Bubble like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Boy in the Plastic Bubble as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is The Boy in the Plastic Bubble violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Boy in the Plastic Bubble.

What did critics think of The Boy in the Plastic Bubble?

Critics and viewers generally recognize an earnest television drama with a charming central romance and John Travolta's coming-of-age performance, while noting liberties in its depiction of medical sterilization.

Which films are like The Boy in the Plastic Bubble?

Films with a similar feel include The Other Side of the Mountain, Mask, and Five Feet Apart.

How long is The Boy in the Plastic Bubble?

The Boy in the Plastic Bubble runs 96 minutes.

Where can I watch The Boy in the Plastic Bubble?

In United States, The Boy in the Plastic Bubble streams on Philo, Free Movies Plus, The Roku Channel, Hoopla, FlixHouse, Pluto TV, Night Flight Plus, FlixFling, YouTube Free, IndieFlix, Plex, Plex Player, Plex Channel, Eternal Family, Fawesome, IndieFlix Shorts Amazon Channel, Tubi TV, Artiflix.