The Perfect Date poster

The Perfect Date

Movie 1990 1h
Directed by Kristoffer Tabori

On the eve of the school prom, a sixteen year old student lifts his hopes high and imagines a flawless night with the reigning prom queen. He rehearses lines, imagines how friends will cheer, and convinces himself this date will change everything. But as the evening unfolds the fantasy collides... Read more

Where to Watch "The Perfect Date"

Not Currently Streaming

This title isn't available for streaming in the US right now.

Netflix
Amazon Prime Video
Disney+
Max
Hulu
Paramount+
Peacock
Apple TV+

Streaming availability last verified: January 14, 2026

About The Perfect Date

On the eve of the school prom, a sixteen year old student lifts his hopes high and imagines a flawless night with the reigning prom queen. He rehearses lines, imagines how friends will cheer, and convinces himself this date will change everything. But as the evening unfolds the fantasy collides with real life in a way that unsettles him. The night becomes a test of nerves, pride, and what people expect from a perfect moment. The drama probes the pressure to perform, the myths around popularity, and how one misread signal can tilt a night toward discomfort rather than celebration. This is a story about growing up under a bright, unforgiving spotlight that lingers after the night ends for you.

Directed by Kristoffer Tabori and built from a story by Josef Anderson, The Perfect Date landed in 1990 as a compact drama. It reflects a late 80s to early 90s taste for intimate, character driven tales about high school life.

Box office figures for The Perfect Date are not documented, reflecting its modest release and status as a relatively obscure title from the period. The film did not become a mainstream blockbuster and remains a footnote in early 1990s drama.

Over the years the film did not garner major nominations or notable honors in the standard award circuits. Its quiet, low budget approach and limited reach kept it from the festival spotlight, and while some viewers appreciate its restraint the picture remains largely unseen by critics and industry awards alike.

Critics who have engaged with the film note its restrained pace and focus on the gap between fantasy and reality in teen life. The drama tackles expectations, social hierarchy, and the pressure to present a flawless image, inviting audiences to reflect on adolescence without sensationalism in the minds of viewers.

Details

Release Date
April 19, 1990
Runtime
1h
Type
Movie
Genres
Drama
Country
United States
Studio
ABC +1 more

Cast

R

Richard Murphy

Stephen Sanders

Lycia Naff

Lycia Naff

Bernice Sherman

James Sutorius

James Sutorius

Mr. Sanders

Marnie Mosiman

Marnie Mosiman

Mrs. Sanders

Jason Kristofer

Jason Kristofer

Carl

Alison Elliott

Alison Elliott

Cindy

Terri Ivens

Terri Ivens

Iola

Emily Schulman

Emily Schulman

Anna

Director: Kristoffer Tabori

Written by: Josef Anderson

Frequently Asked Questions

The Perfect Date is not currently available to stream, rent, or buy online in the US. Check back later for updates.

On the eve of the school prom, a sixteen year old student lifts his hopes high and imagines a flawless night with the reigning prom queen. He rehearses lines, imagines how friends will cheer, and convinces himself this date will change everything. But as the evening unfolds the fantasy collides w...

The Perfect Date stars Richard Murphy, Lycia Naff, James Sutorius, Marnie Mosiman, and Jason Kristofer.

The Perfect Date was directed by Kristoffer Tabori.

The Perfect Date was released on April 19, 1990.

The Perfect Date is a Drama film.

Richard Murphy plays Stephen Sanders in The Perfect Date. Stephen Sanders is one of the central characters in this 1990 drama.

Kristoffer Tabori directed The Perfect Date. The film was released in 1990 as a drama.

Lycia Naff plays Bernice Sherman. Bernice Sherman is one of the named characters in the film's cast.

The film follows a 16-year-old student who believes his upcoming date with the prom queen will be perfect. The story reveals that the date ends up being anything but perfect.