Stop Making Sense poster

Stop Making Sense

Why stop making sense? Why a movie? Why a big suit? Where do the odd movements come from? What will the band do next?

8.4(401)19841h 28m8

A concert film documenting Talking Heads at the height of their popularity, on tour for their 1983 album "Speaking in Tongues." The band takes the stage one by one and is joined by a cadre of guest musicians for a career-spanning and cinematic performance that features creative choreography and visuals.

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Status
Released
Budget
$1.2M
Box office
$12.5M
Language
English
  • concert
  • rock 'n' roll
  • rock band
  • concert film
  • post-punk
  • energetic
  • exuberant
  • new wave music

Top billed cast

Behind the camera

Produced in

United States of America

Gallery

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Videos

Release dates

  • United StatesUS

    • Premiere San Francisco International Film Festival24 Apr 1984
    • Theatrical19 Oct 1984
    • Theatrical (limited)Remastered re-release15 Sept 1999
    • Physical13 Oct 2009
    • Theatrical (limited)PG4K restoration in IMAX22 Sept 2023
    • TheatricalPG4K restoration29 Sept 2023
    • Digital / OTTPGMax3 May 2024
    • PhysicalPG4K Ultra HD / Blu-ray8 May 2024
    • Theatrical (limited)PGA24 x IMAX Presents2 Oct 2024
  • United KingdomGB

    • TheatricalU26 Nov 1984
    • PhysicalBlu-ray & DVD16 Nov 2015
    • TheatricalPGRe-Release22 Sept 2023
    • Digital / OTTPG8 Apr 2024
    • Physical4K Ultra HD & Blu-ray Re-Issue21 Jun 2024
  • AustraliaAU

    • Theatrical4K Restoration17 Sept 2023
  • CanadaCA

    • PremiereToronto International Film Festival (4K Restoration)11 Sept 2023
  • BrazilBR

    • Theatrical12Relançamento em 4K29 Aug 2024
  • ChinaCN

    • PremiereShanghai International Film Festival (IMAX)16 Jun 2024
    • PremiereAranya Waves Film Festival5 Sept 2025
  • DenmarkDK

    • Theatrical1516 Nov 1984
  • FinlandFI

    • Theatrical (limited)S16 Nov 1984
  • GermanyDE

    • TheatricalRe-release28 Mar 2024
  • IrelandIE

    • Digital / OTTPG8 Nov 2014
  • ItalyIT

    • PremiereFesta del Cinema di Roma (4K Restoration)19 Oct 2024
    • Theatrical (limited)4K Restoration11 Nov 2024
  • JapanJP

    • Theatrical3 Aug 1985
    • Theatrical4K Restoration & IMAX2 Feb 2024

Frequently asked questions

Stop Making Sense was released on 19 October 1984.

Audience reviews

3
  • C

    CinemaSerf

    10/8/2023

    7/10

    I'm not sure Jonathan Demme really had too much to do here as David Byrne and "Talking Heads" present us with a belter of a creative toe-tapper. It's a film of their concert - constructed from performances over three nights in a small Hollywood theatre, and that setting lends itself excellently to their showcase. The depth and height of the stage allows the band to arrive on set song by song, and for the camera work …

  • J

    James

    10/20/2023

    7/10

    I did write an artistically brilliant rendition of my thoughts on this movie but instead I’m going to give you this: I can't seem to face up to the facts I'm tense and nervous and I can't relax I can't sleep 'cause my bed's on fire Don't touch me, I'm a real live wire Psycho Killer Qu'est-ce que c'est? Fa-fa-fa-fa, fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa, better Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away, oh-oh-oh Psycho Killer Qu'es…

  • L

    LM1010

    5/7/2026

    9/10

    went into the movie without even knowing who Talking Heads were except that they were quite popular back in their days, and i will have to say that i really enjoyed it

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