The Apartment

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The Apartment

1960

2h 5m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

107 Reviews

94%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Insurance worker C.C. Baxter (Jack Lemmon) lends his Upper West Side apartment to company bosses to use for extramarital affairs. When his manager Mr. Sheldrake (Fred MacMurray) begins using Baxter's apartment in exchange for promoting him, Baxter is disappointed to learn that Sheldrake's mistress is Fran Kubelik (Shirley MacLaine), the elevator girl at work whom Baxter is interested in himself. Soon Baxter must decide between the girl he loves and the advancement of his career.

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Critics Consensus

Director Billy Wilder's customary cynicism is leavened here by tender humor, romance, and genuine pathos.

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Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

The Apartment remains remarkably modern in both its construction and sensibility.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 12, 2025

Full Review

Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Such gritty material is infused with Wilder’s compassion and defined by two towering central performances.

Rated: 5/5

Feb 5, 2025

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Jake Cole

Slant Magazine

Though lighter than Arrows 2018 release on the extras front, Kinos 4K of The Apartment provides the definitive home-video presentation of one of Billy Wilders greatest films.

Apr 18, 2022

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Noah Gittell

Washington City Paper

The film’s darkness, culminating in a shocking scene in which a character overdoses on sleeping pills and must be painstakingly revived, doesn’t just serve its sneaky social critique. It also upholds its romance.

May 8, 2025

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Brian Viner

Daily Mail (UK)

The screenplay by Wilder and IAL Diamond is as fresh and sparkling now as it ever was.

Rated: 5/5

Jan 31, 2025

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Rachel Wagner

Hallmarkies Podcast

One of the great American films

Jan 8, 2024

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russell g

It’s a perfect movie. Sad and romantic and funny.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/20/25

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Frans B

Brilliant. Obvious why this movie was considered a turning point in Hollywood filmmaking. Great story, very well written and brought to screen. Whole stellar cast excels convincingly in character. Lots of intrigue, mystery, drama and flair. Well worth a watch

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/04/25

Full Review

D. Hunter P

I can understand why this movie has often been said that its a turning point in Hollywood. This movie marked the death knell of Hayes Code. It changed cinema forever, and any cinephile should want to see this. Anyone that enjoys a charming drama, they should also watch it. The movie has a comedic start, a dramatic turn, and a very sweet ending that I was happy to have.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/28/25

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Doug A

Hilarious! Really such a classic.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/22/25

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Torin F

THE APARTMENT (1960) has "one of the greatest films ever made" status, which can complicate (and often disappoint) viewer expectations, especially for older films. In this case, however, it's totally deserved. The film remains remarkably effective--by turns funny, incisive, romantic, and tender--and the continued resonance of its themes speaks to modern isolation in powerful if understated ways. Don't miss it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/21/25

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JoParkerBear P

A flawless masterpiece, and one of my all-time favorite movies.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/28/25

Full Review

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Billy Wilder

Director

Jack Lemmon

C.C. Baxter

Shirley MacLaine

Fran Kubelik

Fred MacMurray

Jeff D. Sheldrake

Ray Walston

Joe Dobisch

David Lewis

Al Kirkeby

The Apartment: Official Clip - You're on Your Way Up

1:05

The Apartment: Official Clip - Shut Up and Deal

2:00

The Apartment: Official Clip - The Floating Key

2:02

The Apartment: Official Clip - Fruitcake Every Christmas

1:20

The Apartment: Official Clip - Slow Down, Kid!

1:02

The Apartment: Official Clip - We Never Close at Buddy Boy's

1:47

The Apartment: Official Clip - Ring in the New

2:12

The Apartment: Official Clip - All Washed Up

1:54

The Apartment: Official Clip - A Flower From Miss Kubelik

1:46

The Apartment: Official Clip - Sheldrake Wants the Apartment

2:13

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Synopsis

Insurance worker C.C. Baxter (Jack Lemmon) lends his Upper West Side apartment to company bosses to use for extramarital affairs. When his manager Mr. Sheldrake (Fred MacMurray) begins using Baxter's apartment in exchange for promoting him, Baxter is disappointed to learn that Sheldrake's mistress is Fran Kubelik (Shirley MacLaine), the elevator girl at work whom Baxter is interested in himself. Soon Baxter must decide between the girl he loves and the advancement of his career.

Director: Billy Wilder
Producer: Billy Wilder
Screenwriter: Billy Wilder, I.A.L. Diamond
Production Co: Mirisch Corporation
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 15, 1960, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 29, 2016
Runtime: 2h 5m

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