GoodWatchSign in

Bird

1988·Movie
2h 41min·R
76
GreatGoodWatch score

Watch

Not streaming in United States. Where it is:

Bird fingerprint

Striking style, a touch of humor.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension5
  • Fast Pace5
  • Spectacle5

Heart

Deeply moving and melancholic

  • Pathos9
  • Melancholy8
  • Catharsis7

Humor

Some sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay5
  • Dark Humor3
  • Situational Comedy1

World

A real life story, show business, and history

  • World Immersion7
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout performances and characters

  • Acting8
  • Character Depth8
  • Direction7

Style

Standout score

  • Music Composition9
  • Music Centrality9
  • Cinematography7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchSolo WatchThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You need an uplifting mood

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

"There are no second acts in American lives."

Saxophone player Charlie ‘Bird’ Parker comes to New York in 1940 and is quickly noticed for his remarkable way of playing. He becomes a drug addict but his loving wife Chan tries to help him.
Biographical DramaJazz IconDrug AddictionMusical GeniusTroubled ArtistComplex Character StudyHistorical SettingMelancholy ToneCritically Acclaimed

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Bird

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Bird legally?

You can 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 Bird worth watching?

76
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 76/100 (IMDb 7.1, Rotten Tomatoes 81%, and Metacritic 78). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Bird rated?

RDrug use

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: drug use.

How long is Bird?

2 h 41 min

Bird runs 2 h 41 min.

Is Bird based on a true story?

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

Do critics and audiences agree on Bird?

Critics80
Audiences74

Yes. Critics average 80 and audiences 74 out of 100, so both groups see Bird much the same way.

Was Bird a box office hit?

Budget$9 million
Box office$2 million

No. It cost about $9 million to make and earned $2 million worldwide, 22% of its budget.

What language is Bird in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Bird?

74AOARATAUAZBEBFBGBOBRBYBZCACH+60

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Bird in 74 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.