The Book Thief

Name: The Book Thief
Genre: Drama
Released: 2013-11-08
Cast: Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, Sophie Nélisse, Ben Schnetzer, Nico Liersch

2013 | 131 min | Drama

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Audiences rate it highly (7.5 out of 10), though it had middling reviews (50% on Rotten Tomatoes). 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 anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, start here. Audiences love it more than critics do: a crowd-pleaser first.
The mood: Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace: Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 11 min.
What might put you off: Critics were cooler on it than audiences.

While subjected to the horrors of WWII Germany, young Liesel finds solace by stealing books and sharing them with others. Under the stairs in her home, a Jewish refugee is being sheltered by her adoptive parents.

How it earned its rating

CriticsBelow par
50% on Rotten Tomatoes
AudiencesStrong
7.5 out of 10
AwardsSolid
Nominated for 1 Oscar, 1 Golden Globe and 1 BAFTA.
Box office & staying powerSolid
$77 million worldwide on a $19 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 157K people sought it out in the past year