Adaptation. backdrop
COMEDY . 2002 . 1h 55m . English . 7.3/10

Adaptation._

OSCAR WINNER

"From the creator of Being John Malkovich, comes the story about the creator of Being John Malkovich."

Charlie Kaufman is a confused L.A. screenwriter overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy, sexual frustration, self-loathing, and by the screenwriting ambitions of his freeloading twin brother Donald. While struggling to adapt "The Orchid Thief," by Susan Orlean, Kaufman's life spins from pathetic to bizarre. The lives of Kaufman, Orlean's book, become strangely intertwined as each one's search for passion collides with the others'.

Director Spike Jonze
Starring Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, Chris Cooper
Box Office $32.8M
7.3/10
Rating
$32.8M
Box Office
1h 55m
Runtime
2002
Year
PROFITABLE
+73% ROI
Profitability
Updated Feb 16, 2026
Adaptation. poster
From the creator of Being John Malkovich, comes the story about the creator of Being John Malkovich.

Charlie Kaufman is a confused L.A. screenwriter overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy, sexual frustration, self-loathing, and by the screenwriting ambitions of his freeloading twin brother Donald. While struggling to adapt "The Orchid Thief," by Susan Orlean, Kaufman's life spins from pathetic to bizarre. The lives of Kaufman, Orlean's book, become strangely intertwined as each one's search for passion collides with the others'.

WHERE TO WATCH

MUBI M MUBI 2 countries
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ALL REGIONS

DROPTHE_ GOSSIP

Box office
Adaptation. earned $32.8M worldwide on a $19.0M budget — a 73% return on investment.
Director
Adaptation. was directed by Spike Jonze.
Spike Jonze →
Cast
Nicolas Cage stars as Charlie Kaufman / Donald Kaufman in Adaptation..
Nicolas Cage →
Year context
Adaptation. was released 24 years ago in 2002.

CREW

Director
Spike Jonze

BOX OFFICE

$19.0M
Budget
$32.8M
Revenue
+73%
ROI
PROFITABLE
Verdict

STUDIOS (4)

Saturn Films Good Machine Intermedia Propaganda Films

AWARDS (3)

G
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
2003
WON
B
Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize
2003
WON
B
National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
WON

DETAILS

Release
Status
Released
Runtime
115 min (1h 55m)
Language
English
Country
United States
Rating
7.3/10 (2,701 votes)
Popularity
78
Budget
$19,000,000
Box Office
$32,800,000
Profit
+$13,800,000
IMDB
tt0268126
Trailer
Watch on YouTube

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Adaptation. about?
Charlie Kaufman is a confused L.A. screenwriter overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy, sexual frustration, self-loathing, and by the screenwriting ambitions of his freeloading twin brother Donald. While struggling to adapt "The Orchid Thief," by Susan Orlean, Kaufman's life spins from pathetic to bizarre. The lives of Kaufman, Orlean's book, become strangely intertwined as each one's search for passion collides with the others'.
How long is Adaptation.?
Adaptation. has a runtime of 115 minutes (1h 55m).
Who directed Adaptation.?
Adaptation. was directed by Spike Jonze.
Who stars in Adaptation.?
The cast of Adaptation. includes Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, Chris Cooper, Tilda Swinton, Jay Tavare.
How much did Adaptation. make at the box office?
Adaptation. earned $32,800,000 worldwide at the box office. The production budget was $19,000,000.
What is the rating of Adaptation.?
Adaptation. has a rating of 7.3 out of 10 based on 2,701 votes on TMDB.

GENRES (3)

Comedy Crime Drama

KEYWORDS (13)

based on novel or book marriage crisis alligator writer's block orchid writer twins cynical philosophical satirical reflective introspective absurd
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