Robert Downey Jr. looks like a baby in it. Honestly, that’s the first thing everyone notices when they go looking for the Chances Are full movie today. He’s got this nervous, kinetic energy that we eventually saw evolve into Tony Stark, but in 1989, he was just a kid playing a guy who might actually be his girlfriend's dead father. It sounds creepy when you say it out loud. It really does. But somehow, director Emile Ardolino—the same guy who gave us Dirty Dancing—managed to turn a high-concept reincarnation plot into a cozy, charming romantic comedy that people are still obsessed with decades later.
People search for the movie because it’s a bit of a ghost in the streaming world. One day it’s on a major platform, the next it’s gone, buried under a mountain of new releases that don't have half the heart this script does.
The Weird, Wonderful Plot of Chances Are
The story is wild. Louie Jeffries (played by Christopher McDonald) dies in 1964 and gets recycled back to Earth as Alex Finch (Robert Downey Jr.). The problem? He doesn't get the "memory wipe" shot at the celestial DMV. Cut to twenty years later, and Alex is a college grad who ends up at the home of his former wife, Corinne, played by Cybill Shepherd.
It's a mess. A beautiful, hilarious mess.
You’ve got Alex falling for Corinne’s daughter, Miranda (Mary Stuart Masterson), while simultaneously starting to remember that he used to be married to her mother. The tension is palpable. It’s the kind of "what if" scenario that keeps you watching even when the logic starts to feel a little thin. Ryan O'Neal is in the mix too, playing the best friend who has been pining for Corinne for two decades. It’s a quadrilateral of awkwardness.
Why Finding the Chances Are Full Movie is Such a Task
Let's talk about the streaming struggle. Digital rights are a nightmare. Because Chances Are was produced by TriStar Pictures, its availability fluctuates based on Sony’s current licensing deals. You won't always find it in the "New Arrivals" section of Netflix or Hulu.
💡 You might also like: Cliff Richard and The Young Ones: The Weirdest Bromance in TV History Explained
Sometimes it pops up on "free with ads" services like Tubi or Pluto TV, which is great if you don't mind a detergent commercial interrupting a sentimental moment. Otherwise, you’re looking at the standard rental marketplaces.
- Amazon Prime Video: Usually the most reliable bet for a $3.99 rental.
- Apple TV/iTunes: High-quality 1080p versions are typically available here.
- Google Play: Good for Android users, though the interface is clunky.
- Physical Media: Don't laugh. Collectors actually hunt down the Blu-ray because the soundtrack—specifically that Cher and Peter Cetera duet "After All"—sounds way better on a disc than it does through a compressed stream.
The song was a massive hit. "After All" reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100. It’s basically the anthem of the late 80s adult contemporary scene. If you find the movie, you’re going to be humming that melody for a week. Guaranteed.
The Robert Downey Jr. Factor
Before the legal troubles, before the massive comeback, and before the MCU, RDJ was a "Brat Pack" adjacent actor with incredible range. In Chances Are, he has to play a man in his 20s who is inhabited by the soul of a man in his 40s. He does it with these subtle ticks. He looks at Cybill Shepherd with a look of recognition that feels far too heavy for a college kid.
It's a performance that doesn't get enough credit. Most actors would have played it for broad laughs, but Downey plays the confusion straight. When he finally realizes who he is while walking through the old house, the shift in his eyes is genuine. It’s the reason the Chances Are full movie remains a staple for fans of his work. You see the sparks of the genius he’d later become.
Cybill Shepherd’s Best Era
Cybill Shepherd was coming off the massive success of Moonlighting. She was the queen of the "blonde who has it all together but is secretly a disaster" trope. In this film, she’s mourning a man who has been dead for twenty years, refusing to move on. It’s actually quite sad if you think about it too long. The movie balances that grief with the absurdity of the reincarnation plot. She has incredible chemistry with both O'Neal and Downey, which is a weird thing to say given the context, but it works.
📖 Related: Christopher McDonald in Lemonade Mouth: Why This Villain Still Works
Misconceptions About the Ending (Spoilers!)
People often misremember how this ends. They think it’s a "happily ever after" where the old couple gets back together. It’s not. Not exactly. The movie makes a very specific choice about destiny and moving on. It suggests that while love might be eternal, life belongs to the living.
Alex/Louie has to make a sacrifice. It’s a bit of a tear-jerker. If you haven't seen it in a while, the final courtroom scene—where he uses his "previous life" knowledge to win a case and simultaneously say goodbye—is peak 80s screenwriting. It’s sentimental, sure. But it hits.
Technical Details and Where to Watch
If you are looking for the Chances Are full movie in 4K, you might be disappointed. Most versions circulating are standard HD or even SD transfers from the DVD era. The film has a soft, hazy glow—typical of late 80s cinematography—that doesn't necessarily benefit from ultra-high resolution anyway. It’s meant to look like a dream.
- Release Date: March 10, 1989
- Director: Emile Ardolino
- Runtime: 108 minutes
- Box Office: It did okay, making about $16 million, but it found its real life on home video and cable.
The Soundtrack is Half the Experience
You can't talk about this movie without the music. Beyond the Cher/Cetera hit, the score by Maurice Jarre is whimsical and light. Jarre is a legend—he did Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago. To have him scoring a romantic comedy about a reincarnated husband shows you the level of talent Sony was throwing at movies back then. They don't make 'em like this anymore. Seriously.
Is It Worth the Watch in 2026?
Actually, yes. In a world of cynical reboots and massive CGI battles, a movie about a guy trying to explain to his wife that he’s back in a different body is refreshing. It’s a "comfort movie." It’s what you put on a Sunday afternoon when it’s raining.
👉 See also: Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne: Why His Performance Still Holds Up in 2026
The pacing is slower than modern films. You have to be okay with that. It takes its time. It lets the characters breathe. It lets you feel the awkwardness of the situation.
How to Get the Best Viewing Experience
If you’re planning a movie night, don't just stream it on your phone. This is a "big screen" rom-com.
- Check the "JustWatch" app or website first. It tracks where the Chances Are full movie is currently streaming in your specific region. Rights change monthly.
- If it's not on a subscription service, buy the digital copy rather than renting. It’s one of those movies you’ll want to revisit every few years, and for $7.99, it's cheaper than two lattes.
- Pay attention to the 1960s prologue at the beginning. The costumes and the "pastel" version of Washington D.C. are beautifully shot and set the emotional stakes for the rest of the film.
- Watch for the supporting cast. Henderson Forsythe and Joe Grifasi put in great work that keeps the movie grounded when the plot gets too "supernatural."
The movie deals with themes of "soulmates" in a way that feels more mature than most teen-centric films of that era. It asks if we love a person or their soul. If the soul moves to a new "vessel," is it still the same love? It's surprisingly deep for a movie that features Robert Downey Jr. hopping around in baggy 80s trousers.
Final Steps for Fans
If you've already seen the movie and you're just looking for that nostalgia hit, look up the "After All" music video. It's a time capsule. Then, check out other Emile Ardolino films. He had a knack for capturing human movement and emotion that was lost when he passed away in 1993.
To actually watch the film right now:
- Open your preferred TV interface.
- Search for the title directly.
- Verify it is the 1989 version (there are some obscure TV movies with similar names).
- Ensure your audio is set to "Movie" mode to catch the Jarre score.
There’s no remake in the works, and honestly, there shouldn't be. You can't replicate the specific chemistry of this cast. It’s a product of its time in the best possible way. Grab some popcorn, ignore your phone, and let the 80s magic happen.