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Ray

2004·Movie
2h 32min·PG-13

Where to watch

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

What's your score?

Your score

Ray fingerprint

Big heart, strong craft, a touch of humor.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Fast Pace6
  • Spectacle6
  • Tension4

Heart

Cathartic and moving

Much of it is about growing up and family.

  • Catharsis9
  • Pathos8
  • Hopefulness8

Humor

Some sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay5
  • Situational Comedy1
  • Physical Comedy1

World

A real life story, history, and show business

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout performances, characters, and direction

  • Acting10
  • Character Depth9
  • Direction8

Style

Standout score

  • Music Composition10
  • Music Centrality10
  • Cinematography7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchSolo WatchTeensComfort WatchThought-Provoking

Find more like it

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

About

The extraordinary life story of Ray Charles.

Born on a sharecropping plantation in Northern Florida, Ray Charles went blind at seven. Inspired by a fiercely independent mom who insisted he make his own way, He found his calling and his gift behind a piano keyboard. Touring across the Southern musical circuit, the soulful singer gained a reputation and then exploded with worldwide fame when he pioneered coupling gospel and country together.
Inspiring Biographical DramaMusical JourneyOvercoming AdversityPowerful Lead PerformanceSoulful & EmotionalRags-to-Riches StoryHistorical Music IconAmerican South SettingTriumphant Storytelling

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Ray

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Ray legally?

You can watch it free with ads on YouTube Free. 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.

Is Ray worth watching?

78
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 78/100 (IMDb 7.7, Rotten Tomatoes 80%, and Metacritic 73). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Ray rated?

PG-13Drug useSexual contentStrong language

It's rated PG-13 in the United States. Content advisories: drug use, sexual content, and strong language.

How long is Ray?

2 h 32 min

Ray runs 2 h 32 min.

Is Ray based on a true story?

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

Do critics and audiences agree on Ray?

Critics77
Audiences82

Yes. Critics average 77 and audiences 82 out of 100, so both groups see Ray much the same way.

Was Ray a box office hit?

Budget$40 million
Box office$125 million

Yes. It cost about $40 million to make and earned $125 million worldwide, 3.1 times its budget.

What language is Ray in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Ray?

96ALAOARATAUAZBABEBFBGBOBRBYBZ+82

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Ray in 96 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Ray use?

HallucinationsIt's All My FaultGraceful LoserDrugs Are BadArtistic License – HistoryThe MistressBedmate RevealLosing a Shoe in the StrugglePoor Man's SubstituteDeterminatorDon't You Dare Pity Me!Screw the Money, I Have Rules!and 20 more

TV Tropes lists 32 storytelling tropes for Ray, including Hallucinations, It's All My Fault, Graceful Loser.