7.2
Where can I stream The Butler legally?
You can watch it free with ads on Fawesome. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.
The Butler
2013·Movie
The Butler fingerprint
Big heart, strong craft, no humor.
Energy
Calm and low-key
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
- Tension4
- Spectacle4
- Fast Pace3
Heart
Deeply moving and cathartic
Much of it is about family.
- Pathos9
- Family Dynamics9
- Catharsis8
Humor
A little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
- Wit & Wordplay3
- Situational Comedy1
- Satire & Parody1
World
History, a real life story, and family
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
- World Immersion8
- Dialogue Centrality7
- Rewatchability6
Craft
Standout performances, characters, and direction
- Acting9
- Character Depth9
- Direction8
Style
Functional look and sound
- Cinematography7
- Music Composition7
- Music Centrality7
Energy
LowCalm and low-key
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
The Butler is calm and low-intensity. The story builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
All energy traits
- Tension4Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Spectacle4Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Fast Pace3Quick tempo and momentum.
- Violence3Physical conflict and intensity.
- Adrenaline2High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Scare0Frightening moments and scares.
Related traits
- Slow Burn8Gradual build with payoff.
Heart
HighDeeply moving and cathartic
Much of it is about family.
Emotionally, it's deeply moving, cathartic, and melancholic. Much of it is about family.
All heart traits
- Pathos9Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Family Dynamics9Relationships and generational ties.
- Catharsis8Emotional release and payoff.
- Melancholy7Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Hopefulness7Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Nostalgia6Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Wholesome5Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Coming of Age5Personal growth and self-discovery.
- Romance4Love stories and emotional connections.
- Wonder3Awe, discovery, and amazement.
Related traits
- Character Depth9Rich, complex characterization.
All humor traits
- Wit & Wordplay3Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Situational Comedy1Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Satire & Parody1Sharp critique and playful imitation.
- Physical Comedy0Slapstick and visual gags.
- Cringe Humor0Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Absurdist Humor0Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
- Dark Humor0Humor from taboo or grim topics.
Related traits
- Wholesome5Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
World
MediumHistory, a real life story, and family
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
Its world is built around history, a real life story, and family. The setting feels lived-in and easy to get lost in.
All world traits
- World Immersion8Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
- Rewatchability6Invites repeat viewing.
- Novelty6Fresh ideas and invention.
- Ambiguity2Open-endedness and uncertainty.
Related traits
- Historical10Period settings and real events.
- Biographical10Lives of notable figures.
- Social Commentary9Perspectives on society and norms.
- Politics8Thought-provoking works exploring political themes.
- Class & Capitalism7Wealth, power, and inequality.
- Psychological6Inner worlds and mind games.
Craft
HighStandout performances, characters, and direction
The performances, characters, and direction stand out.
All craft traits
- Acting9Performance craft and presence.
- Character Depth9Rich, complex characterization.
- Direction8Vision and command behind the camera.
- Narrative Structure7Story architecture and form.
- Dialogue Quality7Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Intrigue6Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Complexity5Layered plots and ideas.
- Non-linear Narrative1Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative0Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Slow Burn8Gradual build with payoff.
- Novelty6Fresh ideas and invention.
- Educational6Informative and instructive.
Style
HighFunctional look and sound
The look and sound stay functional.
All style traits
- Cinematography7Visual composition and camera work.
- Music Composition7Score and musical identity.
- Music Centrality7The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
- Editing6Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Sound Centrality5Sound design as core element.
- Visual Stylization4Distinctive aesthetic signature.
Related traits
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
Who it's for
AdultsDate NightFamily Movie NightFriends NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchSolo WatchTeensThought-Provoking
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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.
About
One quiet voice can ignite a revolution.
Cecil Gaines was a sharecropper's son who grew up in the 1920s as a domestic servant for the white family who casually destroyed his. Eventually striking out on his own, Cecil becomes a hotel valet of such efficiency and discreteness in the 1950s that he becomes a butler in the White House itself. There, Cecil would serve numerous US Presidents over the decades as a passive witness of history with the American Civil Rights Movement gaining momentum even as his family has troubles of its own. As his wife, Gloria, struggles with alcoholism and his defiant eldest son, Louis, strives for a just world, Cecil must decide whether he should take action in his own way.
Historical DramaBiographical FilmCivil Rights EraAmerican HistoryFamily SagaSocial CommentaryDignity & ServiceEmotional JourneyEnduring Performances
Actors
Crew
Directed by:
Written by:
Produced by:
Composed by:
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Sequels and Prequels
No sequels or prequels available
Media
Questions about The Butler
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is The Butler worth watching?
70
GoodGoodWatch scoreMostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 70/100 (IMDb 7.2, Rotten Tomatoes 72%, and Metacritic 65). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is The Butler rated?
PG-13Violence
It's rated PG-13 in the United States. Content advisories: violence.
How long is The Butler?
2 h 12 min
The Butler runs 2 h 12 min.
Is The Butler based on a true story?
Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.
Do critics and audiences agree on The Butler?
Critics69
Audiences72
Yes. Critics average 69 and audiences 72 out of 100, so both groups see The Butler much the same way.
Was The Butler a box office hit?
Budget$25 million
Box office$177 million
Yes, a big one. It cost about $25 million to make and earned $177 million worldwide, 7.1 times its budget.
What language is The Butler in?
English
It was made in English. Produced in United States.
In how many countries can I watch The Butler?
57
+43
+43GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Butler in 57 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.
What tropes does The Butler use?
The CameoGet Out!Your Terrorists Are Our Freedom FightersBeen There, Shaped HistoryHeel RealizationWell-Intentioned ExtremistGray-and-Gray MoralityInvisible PresidentVery Loosely Based on a True StoryArtistic License – HistoryBittersweet EndingKilled Off for Realand 36 more
TV Tropes lists 48 storytelling tropes for The Butler, including The Cameo, Get Out!, Your Terrorists Are Our Freedom Fighters.