The Sure Thing is a romantic comedy from 1985 directed by Rob Reiner. The film stars John Cusack as Gib, a college student who wants to spend his Christmas break in California with a girl he is infatuated with, named Tracy (Nicollette Sheridan). Alison, played by Daphne Zuniga, is a fellow student that Gib meets on the journey and she insists on following a strict schedule of study during the break.
Gib and Alison can't stand each other at first, but as they travel together, they start to see past their differences and connect. They begin to have a series of adventures along the way, including escaping from a truck driver who tries to assault them and hitching a ride with a group of partying college students. Along the way, they begin to develop a mutual attraction but are both afraid to act on their feelings.
When they finally reach California, Gib discovers that Tracy already has a boyfriend and he realizes that Alison is the sure thing he has been looking for all along. He rushes back to her and confesses his feelings. The film ends with the two of them kissing on the beach under a full moon.
The Sure Thing was a critical and commercial success, and is now considered a classic of the teen and coming-of-age movie genre. It was Reiner's second successful film after This Is Spinal Tap, and helped launch Cusack's career as a leading man.