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Trailer

Message in a Bottle

1999Movie2 h 11 minPG-13

DramaRomance
49
MediocreGoodWatch score
IMDb6.3Letterboxd2.9/5Metacritic406.6Rotten Tomatoes32%66%

A deeply romantic, moving romance movie about everyday modern life and family.

Good for date night · friends night · teens

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for scares, laughs or brutality.

Movies with

Story

A story of love lost and found.

A woman finds a romantic letter in a bottle washed ashore and tracks down the author, a widowed shipbuilder whose wife died tragically early. As a deep and mutual attraction blossoms, the man struggles to make peace with his past so that he can move on and find happiness.

Feels like

  • Romantic Drama
  • Emotional Healing
  • Grief & Loss
  • Second Chances
  • Coastal Setting
  • Heartwarming
  • Character-Driven
  • Bittersweet
  • Hopeful

Cast

21 of 21

Crew

Directed by
Luis Mandoki
Written by
Gerald Di Pego, Nicholas Sparks
Produced by
Kevin Costner, Denise Di Novi, Jim Wilson
Music by
Gabriel Yared

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

February 22, 1999 · 2 h 11 min · PG-13

Released
February 22, 1999
Runtime
2 h 11 min
Age rating
PG-13
Genres
Romance, Drama
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Budget
$80 million
Box office
$119 million
Available in
47 countries

Tropes

Anguished Declaration of Love, With This Ring, Lost at Sea +9

  • Anguished Declaration of Love
  • With This Ring
  • Lost at Sea
  • All Love Is Unrequited
  • Love Before First Sight
  • Feuding Families
  • Dying Declaration of Love
  • Comforting Comforter
  • Country Mouse
  • Parent with New Paramour
  • The Mourning After
  • "Dear John" Letter

12 of 32 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream Message in a Bottle?"

Questions about Message in a Bottle

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Message in a Bottle?

The RokuHooplaPlexTubi TVHowdy

In the United States, Message in a Bottle streams on Howdy, and it is free with ads on The Roku, Hoopla, Plex, and Tubi TV. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, and Microsoft Store. It also streams in 9 other countries.

Is Message in a Bottle worth watching?

49
MediocreGoodWatch score

Reviews are weak, with a GoodWatch score of 49 (IMDb 6.3, Letterboxd 2.9 out of 5, Rotten Tomatoes 32%, and Metacritic 40). Audiences rate it higher (63 out of 100) than critics (36).

Is Message in a Bottle okay for kids?

PG-13

Not for young kids: it's rated PG-13 in the United States, and the viewing guide lists it for teens and adults.

Is Message in a Bottle good for date night?

and 3 moreDate NightPartner WatchAdultsFriends NightIntergenerational

Yes: romance is 9 of 10, and the viewing guide lists it for date night.

Is Message in a Bottle plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (8 of 10) and pathos (8 of 10) more than on its plot.

What tropes does Message in a Bottle use?

Anguished Declaration of LoveWith This RingLost at SeaAll Love Is UnrequitedLove Before First SightFeuding FamiliesDying Declaration of LoveComforting ComforterCountry MouseParent with New ParamourThe Mourning After"Dear John" Letterand 20 more

TV Tropes lists 32 tropes for it, including Anguished Declaration of Love, With This Ring, and Lost at Sea.