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Comedy Cult Classic

A summer on Nantucket gets wild as teen misfits take on greedy developers, romance, and slapstick mayhem.

ONE CRAZY SUMMER

They're out of school, out on Nantucket, and out of their minds. With this crowd, anything can happen!

1986 · 1h 29m · PG · Comedy / Drama / Family / Romance · IMDB TMDB

An aspiring teenage cartoonist and his friends come to the aid of a rocker-in-distress trying to save her family property from developers.

Quick Answer

What is One Crazy Summer about?

One Crazy Summer is a 1986 American comedy-drama directed by Savage Steve Holland about a teenage cartoonist and his friends who spend the summer on Nantucket, helping a young singer save her family's home from land developers.

Programmer's Pick

John Cusack and Demi Moore headline a gleefully offbeat summer comedy where misfit teens, cartoon daydreams, and slapstick beach antics collide. Savage Steve Holland’s knack for surreal gags and oddball characters makes Nantucket feel less like a vacation spot and more like a comic strip come to life.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Hoops McCann, a recent high school grad and aspiring cartoonist, faces disappointment after missing out on a basketball scholarship. Hoping to get into art school, he tags along with his friends for a summer escape to Nantucket. Along the way, the group picks up Cassandra, a young rock singer with trouble on her tail, courtesy of a persistent motorcycle gang. Once on the island, Hoops and his quirky crew—including eccentric siblings and oddball outcasts—find themselves defending Cassandra’s grandfather’s house from a scheming developer family. Between summer hijinks, creative ambitions, and unexpected friendships, this is a coming-of-age comedy set against a sun-drenched, anything-can-happen backdrop.

Details & Specs

Director
Savage Steve Holland
Writer
Savage Steve Holland
Release
1986
Runtime
1h 29m
Country
United States of America
Language
Spanish, English

Why This Matters

Written and directed by Savage Steve Holland, this 1986 romantic comedy features a notable ensemble cast including John Cusack and Demi Moore, with an original score by Cory Lerios.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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John Cusack John Cusack Hoops McCann Demi Moore Demi Moore Cassandra Curtis Armstrong Curtis Armstrong Ack Ack Raymond William Hickey William Hickey Old Man Beckersted Joe Flaherty Joe Flaherty General Raymond Tom Villard Tom Villard Clay Stork Billie Bird Billie Bird Grandma John Matuszak John Matuszak Stain Mark Metcalf Mark Metcalf Aguilla Beckersted Kimberly Foster Kimberly Foster Cookie Cambell Joel Murray Joel Murray George Calamari Matt Mulhern Matt Mulhern Teddy Beckersted Rich Little Rich Little Disc Jockey Bobcat Goldthwait Bobcat Goldthwait Egg Stork KG Kristen Goelz Squid Calamari Donald Li Donald Li Chrong Freen Jeremy Piven Jeremy Piven Ty Bruce Wagner Bruce Wagner Uncle Frank LW Laura Waterbury Crossing Guard Rich Hall Rich Hall Wilbur Taylor Negron Taylor Negron Taylor LW Linda Warren Mrs. McCann GC Grenville Cuyler Graduation Orator S Sky Boscoe JY Jennifer Yahoodik Andrea RC Rachel C. Telegen Brunhelda Paul M. Lane Paul M. Lane Biker #1 Don Ruffin Don Ruffin Biker #2 Gary Littlejohn Gary Littlejohn Biker #3 PM Pat McGoarty Biker #4 AV Anthony Viveiros Man on Ferry Boat Isidore Mankofsky Isidore Mankofsky Cameraman AM Al Mohrmann Yuppie Preacher Sharon Hope Sharon Hope Aguilla's Maid DC Donna Clements Aguilla's Maid AG Alberta Glover Aguilla's Maid Pamela Shaddock Pamela Shaddock Aguilla's Maid Jerry Winsett Jerry Winsett Big Man on Beach BH Bill Hoversten Medic #1 DW Donald Watson Medic #2 Lisa Melilli Lisa Melilli Ty's Girlfriend DB Deborah Bial Screaming Girl BG Bob Gage Dew Drop Inn Musician BD Bob Duncan Dew Drop Inn Musician HM Herb Mingace Dew Drop Inn Musician EB Earl Blank Dew Drop Inn Musician BD Barry Doe Giant SR Scott Richards Victim EF Elizabeth Field Beautiful Girl LL Len Lawrence Producer BK Barry Karas Doctor JB John Blood Patient JD Joan Drott Nurse JC Jim Cooke Regatta Judge RB Robert Boardman Man Overboard John Fiore John Fiore Crewman

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Why Cult

Cartoonist Hero

Follow Hoops McCann as he tries to channel heartbreak and hijinks into a love story for art school—sketchbook and all.

Beachside Slapstick

From Godzilla costumes to boats and bizarre regattas, expect wild physical comedy and inventive set pieces.

Oddball Friend Group

A gang of lovable misfits—twins, outcasts, and a would-be rocker—band together against cartoonish villains.

1980s Teen Comedy Vibes

Expect classic ‘80s teen romance, feuds, and fashion—plus a regatta that could only happen in this era.

Scene Gallery

Questions from the Vault

Who directed One Crazy Summer? +

Savage Steve Holland directed One Crazy Summer.

How long is One Crazy Summer? +

One Crazy Summer has a runtime of 89 minutes.

What genre is One Crazy Summer? +

One Crazy Summer is a comedy, drama, family, and romance film.

When was One Crazy Summer released? +

One Crazy Summer was released in 1986.

Trailers & Clips