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Milk

2008·Movie
2h 8min·R
IMDb7.5Metacritic837.6Rotten Tomatoes93%89%

Where to watch

History Vault

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

Milk fingerprint

Strong craft, striking style, a touch of humor.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Tension6
  • Fast Pace6
  • Spectacle5

Heart

Moving and melancholic

  • Pathos8
  • Melancholy7
  • Catharsis7

Humor

Some sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay6
  • Situational Comedy2
  • Dark Humor1

World

A real life story, history, and politics

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion9
  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout performances, characters, and direction

  • Acting10
  • Character Depth9
  • Direction8

Style

Standout cinematography

  • Cinematography8
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightParty VibeIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensThought-Provoking

Find more like it

Bittersweet moviesAtmospheric movies

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Never blend in.

The true story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man ever elected to public office. In San Francisco in the late 1970s, Harvey Milk becomes an activist for gay rights and inspires others to join him in his fight for equal rights that should be available to all Americans.
Historical BiographyLGBTQ+ Rights ActivismPolitical DramaSocial JusticeInspirational True StoryCharacter-DrivenPeriod PieceSan Francisco CultureHuman Rights

Crew

Directed by:
Gus Van Sant, David Webb, John R. Saunders
Written by:
Dustin Lance Black
Produced by:
Dustin Lance Black, William Horberg, Francine Maisler
Composed by:
Danny Elfman, Gus Van Sant, Andy Malcolm

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Milk

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Milk legally?

History Vault

Milk is included with a subscription to History Vault in the United States. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Milk worth watching?

83
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 83/100 (IMDb 7.5, Rotten Tomatoes 93%, and Metacritic 83). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Milk rated?

RStrong languageSexual content

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: strong language and sexual content.

How long is Milk?

2 h 8 min

Milk runs 2 h 8 min.

Is Milk based on a true story?

Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.

Do critics and audiences agree on Milk?

Critics88
Audiences80

Not quite. Critics rate Milk higher (88) than audiences (80). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

Was Milk a box office hit?

Budget$20 million
Box office$55 million

Yes. It cost about $20 million to make and earned $55 million worldwide, 2.7 times its budget.

What language is Milk in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Milk?

75ARATAUBABEBGBOBRBYBZCACHCLCO+61

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Milk in 75 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Milk use?

Gay AesopTroubled, but CuteBetty and VeronicaMononymous Biopic TitleThe FundamentalistTwofer Token MinorityDriven to SuicideShown Their WorkBittersweet EndingThose Two GuysLittle "No"Talking Down the Suicidaland 42 more

TV Tropes lists 54 storytelling tropes for Milk, including Gay Aesop, Troubled, but Cute, Betty and Veronica.