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Shakespeare in Love

1998·Movie
2h 4min·R
81
GreatGoodWatch score

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Shakespeare in Love fingerprint

A , comedy: .

Good for date night · family movie night · friends night

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Love is the only inspiration.

Young William Shakespeare is forced to stage his latest comedy, 'Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter', before it's even written. When lovely noblewoman Viola de Lesseps auditions for a role, they fall into forbidden love — and Shakespeare's play finds a new life (and title). As their relationship intensifies, the comedy soon transforms into tragedy.
Romantic Period DramaMeta-Theatrical ComedyWitty DialogueStar-Crossed LoversElizabethan Era SettingBittersweet EndingArtistic InspirationAcclaimed Ensemble CastElegant Cinematography

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Shakespeare in Love

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Shakespeare in Love?

In the United States, Shakespeare in Love streams on fuboTV and Paramount+, and it is free with ads on Kanopy and Hoopla. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, and Spectrum On Demand. It also streams in 37 other countries.

Is Shakespeare in Love worth watching?

81
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 81 (IMDb 7.1, Rotten Tomatoes 93%, and Metacritic 87). Critics rate it higher (90 out of 100) than audiences (74).

Is Shakespeare in Love okay for kids?

RSexual contentStrong language

Yes: it's rated R in the United States for sexual content and strong language, and the viewing guide lists it for family nights.

Is Shakespeare in Love good for date night?

and 4 moreDate NightPartner WatchAdultsFamily Movie NightFriends Night

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

Will Shakespeare in Love make me laugh?

Funny

Yes: the humor is mostly sharp wit (9 of 10) and situational comedy (5 of 10).

Was Shakespeare in Love a box office hit?

Budget$25 million
Box office$289 million

Yes, a big one: it cost about $25 million to make and earned $289 million worldwide, 11.6 times its budget.

What tropes does Shakespeare in Love use?

Loophole AbuseChekhov's GunHistorical Domain CharacterFamed in StoryGood Adultery, Bad AdulteryStutter StopCoitus UninterruptusAdaptational SexualityWriter's Block MontageActor AllusionParents Suck at MatchmakingThe Loins Sleep Tonightand 80 more

TV Tropes lists 92 tropes for it, including Loophole Abuse, Chekhov's Gun, and Historical Domain Character.