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Booksmart

Booksmart is a 2019 American coming-of-age comedy film directed by Olivia Wilde in her feature directorial debut.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Booksmart is a 2019 American coming-of-age comedy film directed by Olivia Wilde in her feature directorial debut. It follows two high-achieving high school seniors who try to experience a night of partying before graduation after realizing they focused too much on academics. The film received critical acclaim and grossed about $25 million worldwide against a $6 million budget.

Plot

The film follows two academically driven best friends who, on the eve of graduation, decide to go to a party and make up for missed experiences in high school. Their night becomes a series of misadventures as they try to find the biggest party in town.

Production

Booksmart was directed by Olivia Wilde and written by Emily Halpern, Sarah Haskins, Susanna Fogel, and Katie Silberman. It was Wilde’s first feature film as a director.

Release

The film premiered at South by Southwest on March 10, 2019, and was released in U.S. theatres on May 24, 2019. It later became available through streaming and home media releases.

Reception

Booksmart received strong reviews from critics and was described as a standout teen comedy. It earned roughly $25 million at the box office on a $6 million production budget.

Key facts

  • Olivia Wilde made her feature directorial debut with the film.
  • The story centres on two graduating seniors, Molly and Amy, who try to fit four years of fun into one night.
  • The film premiered at South by Southwest on March 10, 2019.
  • It was released theatrically in the United States by United Artists Releasing on May 24, 2019.
  • Beanie Feldstein received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance.
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Canadian context

The film was released internationally and is part of the broader North American teen-comedy film canon; it has been available to Canadian audiences through theatrical and home-viewing distribution.

Frequently asked questions

What is Booksmart about?
It is about two high-achieving high school seniors who decide to party on their last day of classes after realizing they spent too much time studying.
Who directed Booksmart?
Olivia Wilde directed the film; it was her feature directorial debut.
Who stars in Booksmart?
The film stars Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever, with Jessica Williams, Lisa Kudrow, Will Forte, and Jason Sudeikis in supporting roles.
When was Booksmart released?
It premiered at South by Southwest on March 10, 2019, and opened in U.S. theatres on May 24, 2019.
Was Booksmart successful?
It was a critical success and earned about $25 million worldwide against a $6 million budget.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booksmart
    Supports: Directed by Olivia Wilde; cast; release date; box office; Golden Globe nomination
  2. 20th Century Studios — https://www.20thcenturystudios.com/movies/booksmart
    Supports: Film premise; director; writers; cast
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/booksmart
    Supports: Release date; runtime; genre; MPAA rating; box office figure
  4. The Movie Database — https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/505600-booksmart?language=en-US
    Supports: Plot premise involving two academic teenage superstars on the eve of graduation