King Lear
Seen it?2018 | 115 min | Drama, TV Movie
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (91% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a lukewarm 6.0 out of 10 from audiences and soft box office. 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 Lion in Winter, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Emotional (bring tissues).
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 55 min.
- What might put you off
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
An aging King invites disaster, when he abdicates to his corrupt, toadying daughters, and rejects his loving and honest one.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76 on Metacritic
- AudiencesBelow par
6.0 out of 10
- AwardsBelow par
Nominated for 1 Emmy, 1 SAG Award and 1 Critics' Choice Award.
- Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 39K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Richard Eyre
- Anthony HopkinsLear
- Emma ThompsonGoneril
- Emily WatsonRegan
- Jim BroadbentEarl of Gloucester
- Florence PughCordelia
- Jim CarterEarl of Kent
- Andrew ScottEdgar
- John MacmillanEdmund
- Tobias MenziesDuke of Cornwall
- Anthony CalfDuke of Albany