Shakespeare in Love

R

Released Dec 25, 1998

2h 2m

Romance

Comedy

List

92%

Tomatometer

147 Reviews

80%

Audience Score

100,000+ Ratings

"Shakespeare in Love" is a romantic comedy for the 1990s set in the 1590s. It imaginatively unfolds the witty, sexy and timeless tale behind the creation of the greatest love story ever told. A young Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) is out of cash and ideas, he meets his ideal woman and she inspires him to write one of his most famous plays.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

In Theaters

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Max

Apple TV

Watch Shakespeare in Love with a subscription on Max, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

Critics Consensus

Endlessly witty, visually rapturous, and sweetly romantic, Shakespeare in Love is a delightful romantic comedy that succeeds on nearly every level.

Read Critics Reviews

Wendy Ide

Times (UK)

Tom Stoppard’s script is a playful delight; the tone is exuberant and lively.

Nov 1, 2023

Full Review

Terry Lawson

Detroit Free Press

Though set in the Bard's 16th Century, Shakespeare in Love is hipper, smarter and cleverer than any contemporary romantic comedy in recent memory.

Rated: 4/4

Jan 5, 2023

Full Review

Ella Taylor

L.A. Weekly

Though weakened by feeble leads, Shakespeare in Love is nicely pepped by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard's malicious script and a slew of great supporting performances.

Jan 5, 2023

Full Review

Mark Johnson

Awards Daily

A sweet and whimsical love story

Jun 27, 2023

Full Review

Zita Short

InSession Film

Shakespeare and de Lesseps are both written as fairly uninteresting figures and we are meant to simply admire the beauty of Paltrow and Fiennes...

Feb 7, 2023

Full Review

Rene Rodriguez

Miami Herald

[Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes] send this wildly creative comedy spiraling into heights so exhilarating that even the Bard would have given it a standing ovation.

Rated: 4/4

Jan 5, 2023

Full Review

Read all reviews

Jones J

Shakespeare in Love is a wonderfully clever and hopelessly romantic film; a true Shakespearean pop-corn flick. Written with wise-wit and sown together with seamless charm, this film proves to be a simple, cheeky, sweet story about endless, fantastical romanticism. Gwyneth Paltrow and Judi Dench sing in their Oscar-winning performances. Not to mention, the costume design is absolutely astounding. However, this type of film is not one that is worthy of receiving Best Picture. And, as is the case with almost every film ever made, it comes nowhere close to even being slightly anything close to worthy of beating the unbelievable, indescribable masterpiece that is…Saving Private Ryan.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/09/24

Full Review

Alice E

I adore original films like this. Great movie and acting

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/23/23

Full Review

Geisiane O

Quem nunca ouviu falar de Shakespeare apaixonado História de amor icônica Muito bom e engraçado Recomendo!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/23/23

Full Review

Peter B

Cleverly weaves the film's story into Romeo and Juliet to make an engaging, fun and emotional movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/20/23

Full Review

Jack D

This deserved Best Picture.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/25/23

Full Review

Dan S

So much fun! They could not make films like this today! They would probably update them change characters that would be unrealistic plus the style!! Many great films were done in the 90s and 2000s. 2000s some started to update slowly to what we have today that most films have changed to disasters.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/07/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

John Madden

Director

Joseph Fiennes

William Shakespeare

Gwyneth Paltrow

Viola De Lesseps

Geoffrey Rush

Philip Henslowe

Judi Dench

Queen Elizabeth

Simon Callow

Tilney, Master of the Revels

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

40 Days and 40 Nights

39%

43%

40 Days and 40 Nights

Amélie

90%

95%

Amélie

TRAILER

for Amélie

Sidewalks of New York

56%

54%

Sidewalks of New York

Miss Simpson

73%

60%

Miss Simpson

Bridget Jones's Diary

80%

81%

Bridget Jones's Diary

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Exclusive: Inside Pinewood/Shepperton – A Photo Tour

Brush Up On Your Shakespeare With Our List Of The Bard’s Best Films

Total Recall: Ben (Affleck’s) Bits

View more photos

Synopsis

"Shakespeare in Love" is a romantic comedy for the 1990s set in the 1590s. It imaginatively unfolds the witty, sexy and timeless tale behind the creation of the greatest love story ever told. A young Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) is out of cash and ideas, he meets his ideal woman and she inspires him to write one of his most famous plays.

Director: John Madden
Producer: Marc Norman, Donna Gigliotti, David Parfitt, Harvey Weinstein, Edward Zwick
Screenwriter: Tom Stoppard, Marc Norman
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Miramax Films, Bedford Falls Productions, Universal Pictures
Rating: R (Sexuality)
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 1998, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 21, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $100.2M
Runtime: 2h 2m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now