The Graduate (1967)

Drama Romance Comedy Directed by Mike Nichols
→ Influenced 20 films ← Inspired by 7 films

A disillusioned college graduate finds himself torn between his older lover and her daughter.

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Films that influenced The Graduate

← Inspired By (7)

Films inspired by The Graduate

→ The Graduate influenced these (20)

Sources

Influenced By

  1. Girl Shy (1924)
    "The wedding scene in "The Graduate" was influenced by the ending of this silent comedy starring Harold Lloyd. Lloyd's film served as an advisor for the scene, contributing to its comedic and dramatic impact." The Graduate Wikipedia
  2. Breathless (1960)
    "Godard's jump-cut aesthetic and youth-as-protagonist framing shaped Nichols's editing language. The Graduate's compression cuts (poolside-to-bedroom, e.g.) read as direct New Wave borrowing." source
  3. Jules and Jim (1962)
    "Truffaut's romantic-triangle tone and music-as-emotional-narrator approach inform The Graduate's Simon & Garfunkel-scored sequences and its bittersweet finale." source
  4. 8½ (1963)
    "Fellini's interior-life cinematography (subjective camera, dream/reality drift) is a documented Nichols touchstone for Benjamin's alienated drift through his parents' world." source
  5. Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
    "Released the same year, this film embraced the countercultural spirit and narrative style that Nichols also explored in "The Graduate," reflecting the societal shifts of the 1960s." 50 Years Later, 'The Graduate' Still Speaks To Everyone – By Saying Nothing Kristin Hunt SlashFilm
  6. In the Heat of the Night (1967)
    "This film, which competed with "The Graduate" at the Academy Awards, addressed contemporary social issues and influenced Nichols's approach to portraying societal tensions and character dynamics." 50 Years Later, 'The Graduate' Still Speaks To Everyone – By Saying Nothing Kristin Hunt SlashFilm
  7. Blow-Up (1966)
    "Michelangelo Antonioni's film, which achieved significant success in the U.S., showcased a contemporary visual style that resonated with young audiences. Nichols incorporated similar stylistic elements to appeal to the youth demographic." Great Movies – The Graduate (1967) Doctor of Movies

Influenced

  1. Jackie Brown (1997)
    "The opening sequence of *Jackie Brown* mirrors that of *The Graduate*, featuring a character moving through an airport to evocative music. In *Jackie Brown*, Pam Grier's character walks through Los Angeles International Airport to Bobby Womack's "Across 110th Street," paralleling Dustin Hoffman's journey in *The Graduate*." Jackie Brown Wikipedia
  2. Risky Business (1983)
    "This film's exploration of youthful rebellion and suburban ennui significantly impacted "Risky Business." The producer, Jon Avnet, mentioned their intent was to create a movie akin to "The Graduate" for that era." Greasykidstuffmagazine source
  3. Rushmore (1998)
    "Anderson has cited *The Graduate* as a significant influence on *Rushmore*, particularly in its themes of a young man's infatuation with an older woman." Sophie Wilson//What Is Good?: Opinions: Wes Anderson/Rushmore. Swilsonwhatisgood
  4. Fight Club (1999)
    "Mike Nichols' coming-of-age story about a recent college graduate's existential crisis influenced "Fight Club's" narrative on generational angst and the struggle against societal expectations." The Coming-Of-Age Romantic Comedy That Inspired Fight Club Caroline Madden SlashFilm
  5. Five Easy Pieces (1970)
    "Rafelson's film extends The Graduate's alienated-young-man-against-his-parents'-world template into the early American New Wave." source
  6. Harold and Maude (1971)
    "Hal Ashby's older-woman/younger-man comedy descends directly from The Graduate's transgressive romantic premise, turned absurdist." source
  7. Garden State (2004)
    "Braff's film follows the Graduate-via-Rushmore lineage: numb returning son, generational disconnect, indie-soundtracked emotional reawakening." source
  8. Donnie Darko (2001)
    "Kelly's film extends the Graduate-Rushmore template of the alienated suburban young man into surreal/sci-fi territory." source
  9. American Beauty (1999)
    "Mendes's suburban-disaffection film is a generational descendant — same anomic critique of American middle-class success, scaled to a midlife protagonist instead of a recent grad." source
  10. The Squid and the Whale (2005)
    "Baumbach's film is in The Graduate's lineage of pinpoint-observed parental dysfunction + young protagonist navigating it without a roadmap." source
  11. The Last Picture Show (1971)
    "Bogdanovich's coming-of-age film extends The Graduate's older-woman/younger-man dynamic and disillusioned-young-man register into small-town Texas." source
  12. Lost in Translation (2003)
    "Coppola's film inherits The Graduate's anomic-young-protagonist framing and unspoken-connection-with-older-figure central relationship." source
  13. Greenberg (2010)
    "Baumbach revisits the Graduate template explicitly — drifting protagonist, generation-shifted alienation, Stiller as a 40-year-old Benjamin." source
  14. Rumor Has It (2005)
    "This romantic comedy directly engages with "The Graduate" by exploring the premise that the original film was based on real events. The plot revolves around a woman who discovers her family may have inspired the characters in "The Graduate."" Entertainment Weekly source
  15. Wayne's World 2 (1993)
    "This comedy film parodies the iconic wedding scene from "The Graduate," showcasing its influence on popular culture and its recognition as a cinematic touchstone." The Graduate Wikipedia
  16. Old School (2003)
    "The song that plays during Frank's dream sequence and when he falls into the pool is the intro song to "The Graduate" with Dustin Hoffman." Movie Connections IMDb
  17. The Player (1992)
    ""The Player" includes a humorous pitch for a sequel to "The Graduate," showcasing its impact on the film's narrative." Letterboxd source
  18. Moonstruck (1987)
    "This film's exploration of unconventional romantic relationships and the questioning of societal norms resonated with "Moonstruck's" themes of love and personal transformation." Moonstruck Sbiff
  19. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
    "Directed by Martin Scorsese, the film features the song "Mrs. Robinson" during a pivotal scene, paying homage to "The Graduate" and its cultural impact." Mrs. Robinson Wikipedia
  20. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
    "The film includes a scene where Ferris Bueller sprints down the sidewalk, which is an homage to Benjamin Braddock's similar run in "The Graduate."" Tvtropes source

The Graduate (1967), directed by Mike Nichols, was inspired by 7 earlier films — including Girl Shy, Breathless, and Jules and Jim — and has been cited as an influence on 20 later works, such as Jackie Brown, Risky Business, and Rushmore. Check out the citations below.