I Am Sam poster

I Am Sam(2001)

2h 12mDramaEnglish
7.6/10
2,513 user ratings

Love is all you need.

Overview

Sam, a neurodivergent man, has a daughter with a homeless woman who abandons them when they leave the hospital, leaving Sam to raise Lucy on his own. But as Lucy grows up, Sam's limitations as a parent start to become a problem and the authorities take her away. Sam convinces high-priced lawyer Rita to take his case pro bono and in turn teaches her the value of love and family.

Director

Jessie Nelson

Studio

New Line Cinema

Budget

$22M

Revenue

$93M

Share:

Cast

Sean Penn

Sean Penn

as Sam Dawson

Michelle Pfeiffer

Michelle Pfeiffer

as Rita Harrison Williams

Dianne Wiest

Dianne Wiest

as Annie Cassell

Dakota Fanning

Dakota Fanning

as Lucy Diamond Dawson

Richard Schiff

Richard Schiff

as Mr. Turner

Loretta Devine

Loretta Devine

as Margaret Calgrove

Marin Hinkle

Marin Hinkle

as Patricia

Laura Dern

Laura Dern

as Randy Carpenter

Brad Silverman

Brad Silverman

as Brad

Joseph Rosenberg

as Joe

Stanley DeSantis

Stanley DeSantis

as Robert

Doug Hutchison

Doug Hutchison

as Ifty

Where to Watch

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Availability may vary by region. Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Movie Facts

Release Year

2001

Runtime

2h 12m

Language

English

Rating

7.6 / 10

Budget

$22M

Box Office

$93M

Production Companies

New Line Cinema • Bedford Falls Productions • Red Fish, Blue Fish Films

You Might Also Like

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I watch I Am Sam?

Check the "Where to Watch" section above for current streaming platforms, rental options, and purchase links for I Am Sam (2001).

What is I Am Sam about?

Sam, a neurodivergent man, has a daughter with a homeless woman who abandons them when they leave the hospital, leaving Sam to raise Lucy on his own. But as Lucy grows up, Sam's limitations as a parent start to become a problem and the authorities take her away. Sam convinces high-priced lawyer Rita to take his case pro bono and in turn teaches her the value of love and family.

Who directed I Am Sam?

I Am Sam was directed by Jessie Nelson and released in 2001. It is a drama film.

How long is I Am Sam?

I Am Sam has a runtime of 2 hours and 12 minutes (132 minutes total).

Who stars in I Am Sam?

The cast of I Am Sam includes Sean Penn as Sam Dawson, Michelle Pfeiffer as Rita Harrison Williams, Dianne Wiest as Annie Cassell, Dakota Fanning as Lucy Diamond Dawson, Richard Schiff as Mr. Turner and more.

Explore More by Genre

Need a recommendation?

Tell us your mood and we'll pick the perfect movie for you.