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Birdy

1984·Movie
2h 0min·R
IMDb7.2Metacritic717.9Rotten Tomatoes84%83%

Where to watch

PrimeThe RokuHowdy

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

What's your score?

Your score

Birdy fingerprint

Strong craft, striking style, low-key.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension5
  • Fast Pace4
  • Violence4

Heart

Moving and melancholic

  • Pathos8
  • Melancholy7
  • Catharsis7

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Absurdist Humor3
  • Situational Comedy2

World

The mind, everyday modern life, and war

  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • World Immersion7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout performances, characters, and direction

  • Acting9
  • Character Depth9
  • Direction8

Style

Standout cinematography

  • Cinematography8
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchSolo WatchTeensThought-Provoking

Find more like it

Bittersweet movies

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

About

A soaring experience unlike anything you've ever seen before.

Two young men are seriously affected by the Vietnam War. One of them has always been obsessed with birds - but now believes he really is a bird, and has been sent to a mental hospital. Can his friend help him pull through?
Vietnam War TraumaPsychological DramaFriendship & LossIdentity CrisisMental HealthIntense PerformancesCharacter-DrivenMelancholy & Hope

Crew

Directed by:
Alan Parker, Tom Davies, Chris Soldo
Written by:
William Wharton, Sandy Kroopf, Jack Behr
Produced by:
David Manson, Juliet Taylor, Rory Enke
Composed by:
Peter Gabriel, Eddy Joseph, David MacMillan

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Birdy

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Birdy legally?

PrimeThe RokuHowdy

Birdy is included with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads 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 Birdy worth watching?

76
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 77/100 (IMDb 7.2, Rotten Tomatoes 84%, and Metacritic 71). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Birdy rated?

RViolenceDisturbing imagery

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence and disturbing imagery.

How long is Birdy?

2 h 0 min

Birdy runs 2 h 0 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Birdy?

Critics78
Audiences78

Yes. Critics average 78 and audiences 78 out of 100, so both groups see Birdy much the same way.

Was Birdy a box office hit?

Budget$12 million
Box office$1 million

No. It cost about $12 million to make and earned $1 million worldwide, 12% of its budget.

What language is Birdy in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Birdy?

69AEARATAUBEBGBOBRBYBZCACHCLCO+55

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Birdy in 69 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Birdy use?

Setting UpdateDelusions of DoghoodOnly Known by Their NicknamePop-Star ComposerShock-and-Switch Ending

TV Tropes lists 5 storytelling tropes for Birdy, including Setting Update, Delusions of Doghood, Only Known by Their Nickname.