Stand by Me

When news reaches a small Oregon town that a boy their age has been killed, four friends set out to see the body. Gordie, a quiet kid still reeling from family loss, leads Vern, the anxious Teddy, and Chris, who carries the weight of his reputation. What begins as a dare turns into a sequence of challenges: they face a local bully, wade through a leech-filled marsh, and trade stories that reveal bruised family lives and future anxieties. The trip strips away childhood bravado and deepens their ties. The trip alters each boy, quietly.

Released in 1986, Stand by Me was directed by Rob Reiner and adapted from Stephen King’s novella "The Body" in Different Seasons. The screenplay credits include Raynold Gideon and Bruce A. Evans, and the film stars Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell, and Kiefer Sutherland.

The film performed solidly at the box office for a small, character-driven picture, drawing steady audiences on its initial run. Its reputation grew over time through home video and television showings, helping it reach a broader audience beyond theaters. Eventually.

Critics and viewers responded warmly, reflected in an audience vote average of 7.848/10 from 6,276 votes, praising the naturalistic performances and nostalgic tone. The movie treats friendship, loss, class pressures, and the awkward move toward adulthood with plainspoken emotion and clear-eyed realism. River Phoenix’s turn continues to receive attention today.

The Ben E. King song gives the film its title and emotional hook. The movie's closing narration line "I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve" is widely cited, and its coming-of-age scenes are often referenced in later films and media today.