Race the Sun

Race the Sun

A dream can make all the difference under the sun.

Directed by Charles T. Kanganis

Produced by TriStar Pictures

1996100 min5.2 / 10

An uplifting underdog story about misfits finding purpose and belonging through a shared creative challenge, anchored by a caring teacher and the promise of transformation.

A bunch of high school misfits in Hawaii, introduced by their new teacher, attend a science fair in which they draw up inspiration to build their own solar car and win a trip to compete in the 1990 World Solar Challenge in Australia.

Questions people ask

  • Does Race the Sun end with hope? Yes, very. More hopeful than 97% of films.

  • Is Race the Sun easy watching? Yes, very. More comforting than 90% of films.

  • Is Race the Sun violent? Barely. Less violent than 86% of films.

  • Is Race the Sun scary? Barely. Less frightening than 84% of films.

  • Is Race the Sun sad? Barely. Less sad than 80% of films.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

11/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Conventional, and it does not land.

Rarity36

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise3

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love5

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Like Race the Sun

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as Race the Sun

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like Race the Sun, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like Race the Sun, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like Race the Sun, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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