It’s been hailed as one of the greatest comedies ever made – and now Groundhog Day (1993) has finally arrived on streaming.
The classic film, starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell, tells the story of Phil Connors, a self-centered weatherman, who is sent to Punxsutawney to cover the annual Groundhog Day festivities. A blizzard hits, forcing him and his crew to stay, and he wakes up the next day to find it’s Groundhog Day again.
Phil is stuck in a time loop, reliving February 2nd repeatedly. He initially uses this to his advantage, manipulating events and indulging in selfish desires.
Phil’s outlook changes as he recognizes the futility of his self-centered behavior. He starts using the time loop to learn new skills, help others, and develop genuine compassion for the people around him
Directed by Harold Ramis, the movie has become much more than a light-hearted rom-com – over the past three decades, it has evolved into a cultural staple, often cited as one of the best comedies of the modern era.
On release, no one expected Groundhog Day to become what it is today. As one review on Rotten Tomatoes puts it: “Nothing suggested that this would gather steam over time and emerge as one of the most respected comedies of the past 30 years.”
And yet, that’s exactly what happened. The film’s deceptively simple concept – waking up to the same day, endlessly – turned into a surprisingly deep exploration of personal growth, morality, and what it really means to live a meaningful life.
A fan praised it as “a fun story with a thought-provoking theme about time and the ways in which we spend it. Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell do a superb job of leading the cast. Top-notch.”
Even three decades on, audiences are still falling in love with it. Another wrote: “It’s a shame there are only 5 stars available!… Groundhog Day is a one of a kind work of art. Enough has been written about it. It hasn’t stopped being out of fashion. Just go and see it!”
For many, it’s Bill Murray’s defining role. As one review raved: “Once you get past the ridiculous premise, you realize you have a very special film here. The lead role is tailor-made for Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell has her role of a lifetime. Direction is excellent as well!”
The film later got adapted into theatre, video game and foreign language versions.
Groundhog Day is now available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.