Hamlet
Seen it?1990 | 130 min | Drama, History
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Solid across the board without standing out anywhere. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for history buffs. If you loved Hamlet or Amadeus, start here.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 10 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, finds out that his uncle Claudius killed his father to obtain the throne, and plans revenge.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsSolid
76% on Rotten Tomatoes, 53 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.6 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Nominated for 2 Oscars.
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$21 million worldwide on a $14 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 85K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Hamlet
Friday Night FlickA 1948 remake of this film: a critically acclaimed musical drama that fewer people know today.
Amadeus Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed musical historical drama.
Julius Caesar Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed musical historical drama that fewer people know today.
Othello Sunday Safe BetAnother musical drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Ragtime
Saturday SpecialAnother revenge historical drama, and a Saturday Special.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Franco Zeffirelli
- Mel GibsonHamlet
- Glenn CloseGertrude
- Alan BatesClaudius
- Paul ScofieldThe Ghost
- Ian HolmPolonius
- Helena Bonham CarterOphelia
- Stephen DillaneHoratio
- Nathaniel ParkerLaertes
- Sean MurrayGuildenstern
- Michael MaloneyRosencrantz