Charlie St. Cloud
Performance & Direction: Charlie St. Cloud Review
Last updated: February 15, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Charlie St. Cloud (2010) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Charlie St. Cloud features a noteworthy lineup led by Zac Efron . Supported by the likes of Charlie Tahan and Amanda Crew , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Charlie St. Cloud
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2010, Charlie St. Cloud is a Drama, Romance film directed by Burr Steers. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Zac Efron.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. Accomplished sailor Charlie St. Cloud has the adoration of his mother Claire and his little brother Sam, as well as a college scholarship that will lead him far from his sleepy Pacific Northwest hometown. But his bright future is cut short when tragedy strikes and takes his dreams with it. After high school classmate Tess returns home unexpectedly, Charlie grows torn between honoring a promise he made four years earlier and moving forward with newfound love. As he finds the courage to let go of the past for good, Charlie discovers the soul most worth saving is his own. The screenplay takes time to develop Zac Efron's journey, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Zac Efron's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.
Ending Explained: Charlie St. Cloud
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Burr Steers, Charlie St. Cloud resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Zac Efron, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Charlie St. Cloud reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Charlie St. Cloud?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Zac Efron or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Box Office Collection: Charlie St. Cloud
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $44.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $48.2M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Charlie St. Cloud Budget
The estimated production budget for Charlie St. Cloud is $44.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Charlie St. Cloud
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Charlie St. Cloud Online?
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Apple TV StoreCharlie St. Cloud Parents Guide & Age Rating
2010 AdvisoryWondering about Charlie St. Cloud age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Charlie St. Cloud is 99 minutes (1h 39m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.0/10, and global performance metrics, Charlie St. Cloud is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2010 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlie St. Cloud worth watching?
Charlie St. Cloud is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Charlie St. Cloud parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Charlie St. Cloud identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Charlie St. Cloud?
The total duration of Charlie St. Cloud is 99 minutes, which is approximately 1h 39m long.
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Critic Reviews for Charlie St. Cloud
Pretty good movie. Kind of like the sixth sense. In this case though he can see them in spirit when they are close to death. Uses it to help people.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
