'
Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

Life Is Beautiful

Play trailer Poster for Life Is Beautiful PG-13 Released Oct 22, 1998 2h 2m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
81% Tomatometer 94 Reviews 96% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
A gentle Jewish-Italian waiter, Guido Orefice (Roberto Benigni), meets Dora (Nicoletta Braschi), a pretty schoolteacher, and wins her over with his charm and humor. Eventually they marry and have a son, Giosue (Giorgio Cantarini). Their happiness is abruptly halted, however, when Guido and Giosue are separated from Dora and taken to a concentration camp. Determined to shelter his son from the horrors of his surroundings, Guido convinces Giosue that their time in the camp is merely a game.
Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

Where to Watch

Life Is Beautiful

Life Is Beautiful

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Benigni's earnest charm, when not overstepping its bounds into the unnecessarily treacly, offers the possibility of hope in the face of unflinching horror.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (94) Critics Reviews
Ben Dowell Times (UK) Schmaltzy, treacly, saccharine — call it what you like, if you’re not blubbing by the end, check your pulse. Sep 20, 2022 Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media Wrenching Holocaust fable with bittersweet humor. Rated: 5/5 Dec 25, 2010 Full Review Steven D. Greydanus Decent Films Rated: A Oct 29, 2008 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins The last act is monumental - in its crushing revelations, the inevitable deterioration and near-misses of the complex charade, and the chance coincidences that constitute alternating hope and despair. Rated: 10/10 Aug 25, 2024 Full Review Matthew Rozsa matthewrozsa.com "It makes you wonder if “Shakespeare in Love” really deserved the Academy Award for best movie of ’98." Rated: 3.5/4 Aug 26, 2023 Full Review Wesley Lovell Cinema Sight “Life Is Beautiful” is quite entertaining and well acted for the most part. Benigni isn’t extremely impressive in the lead role, nor is Cantarini very effective. The plot contains various elements seen in other films and not done much better. Rated: 2/4 Dec 25, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1000+) audience reviews
christopher b I’m so glad I was the only person in the theater because I lost it. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/04/22 Full Review Karexa O Mi película favorita. Es perfecta y es inexplicable todo lo que transmite. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/31/25 Full Review Abby B I watched the movie two weeks ago and despite it being that long I still I have a vivid descriptions of the movie that's how mine captivating it was. With that being said, the intro to movie was not as interesting or soul touching as the final scenes. The first might tell you to click but persevere, as the movie is truly worth it Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/22/25 Full Review Jayden H My thoughts on the movie were that the movie was a very numerous and yet had some tragedy in it along with many comedic parts in the movie. I really recommend this movie if you want to watch a movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/22/25 Full Review Audience Member Guido, a charismatic and optimistic Jewish man, whose wit and charm win over Dora, a schoolteacher from a wealthy, non-Jewish family. Their story begins as a romantic comedy but soon transitions into a deeply moving tale set against the backdrop of the Holocaust. What makes Life is Beautiful so powerful is its remarkable balance of light and darkness. The first half of the film is filled with joy, clever humor, and whimsical charm. Guido is an unforgettable character—his energy, quick thinking, and relentless optimism are infectious. Watching him fall in love with Dora is heartwarming, filled with magical moments and comedic brilliance. However, the tone shifts dramatically when Guido, Dora, and their young son Giosuè are deported to a concentration camp. Despite the horrific reality they face, Guido uses his imagination and humor to shield his son from the truth. He convinces Giosuè that the entire experience is a game, with a grand prize awaiting them if they earn enough points by following the "rules." Through this lens, the audience sees both the cruelty of war and the extraordinary lengths a father will go to protect his child’s innocence. The film’s greatest strength lies in its emotional depth. It doesn’t deny the horrors of the Holocaust but chooses to focus on the enduring power of love, family, and the human spirit. Benigni’s performance is unforgettable—not only for his comedic talent but for the tenderness and heartbreak he conveys without ever slipping into sentimentality. The film’s closing scenes are both devastating and inspiring, leaving a lasting impression on anyone who watches. The cinematography and score complement the story perfectly. Nicola Piovani’s music is hauntingly beautiful, adding layers of emotion to key scenes. The visual contrast between the vibrant first half and the bleakness of the concentration camp emphasizes the loss of innocence and the cruel absurdity of war. Life is Beautiful received widespread acclaim, earning numerous awards including three Academy Awards: Best Actor for Benigni, Best Original Score, and Best Foreign Language Film. Its success is a testament to the universal themes it explores—love, sacrifice, hope, and the ability to find light even in the darkest times. In conclusion, Life is Beautiful is more than just a film—it’s a reminder of what it means to be human. It teaches us that even in moments of unspeakable tragedy, there is room for laughter, kindness, and hope. It’s a film that lingers in your heart long after the credits roll. If you haven’t seen it yet, you owe it to yourself to experience this extraordinary story. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/22/25 Full Review Galilea A Finding Light in the darkness: how life is beautiful turns tragedy into triumph What if laughter could shield a child from the horrors of war? In life is beautiful, director and star roberto benigni dares to answer that question with one of cinema's most moving and memorable films. Set during one of the darkest periods in history, this italian masterpiece manages to blend comedy, romance and tragedy in a way that is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. This film begins with a whimsical tone as we meet Guido, a spirited and witty man who wins the heart of Dora, a schoolteacher from a wealthier background. Their love story is full of charm and humor, which only makes the film’s second half all the more devastating. This shift in tone is intentional and highly effective. The structure of the film draws the viewer in with light-hearted moments before confronting them with the brutal reality of the holocaust. The contrast between the two halves emphasizes the resilience of love and hope in even the most horrific circumstances. Roberto Benigni's performance as GUido is nothing short of extraordinary. His character is endearing from the very first scene, using humor not just as a personality trait but as a shield to protect his young son, Giosue. In the second half of the film, Guido tells his son that the entire experience is just a game, complete with points and a prize. This lie, told out of love, becomes the film’s emotional core. Guido stands out because of his relentless optimism and creativity. Even in the face of danger and despair, he chooses to create joy for his son, showing a strength that speaks louder than any weapon. The acting across the board is strong, but it’s benignis ability to seamlessly shift between comedy and drama that carries the film. Nicoletta Braschi, who plays dora, brings quiet strength to her role, especially in the scenes where she chooses to stay with her family, sacrificing her safety. The film’s themes are powerful and timeless. At its heart, Life is Beautiful is about the power of love and imagination. It asks us to consider how far a parent will go to protect a child, and how laughter can be an act of defiance. Humor is used not to dismiss tragedy, but to cope with it. This balance of tones makes the message even more profound. In a world where stories of war often focus on violence and loss, Life is Beautiful dares to show something different: the endurance of the human spirit. It reminds us that even in the darkest of times, beauty, kindness, and love can still survive. I highly recommend Life is Beautiful to anyone who appreciates meaningful storytelling. It’s not just a film, It’s an emotional experience that will stay with you long after the credits roll. The film teaches us that sometimes, the greatest form of resistance is to keep laughing. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/20/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Life Is Beautiful

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW
The Pallbearer 48% 19% The Pallbearer Watchlist Kolya 96% 92% Kolya Watchlist All I Wanna Do 67% 73% All I Wanna Do Watchlist Smoke Signals 90% 82% Smoke Signals Watchlist Home Fries 31% 34% Home Fries Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis A gentle Jewish-Italian waiter, Guido Orefice (Roberto Benigni), meets Dora (Nicoletta Braschi), a pretty schoolteacher, and wins her over with his charm and humor. Eventually they marry and have a son, Giosue (Giorgio Cantarini). Their happiness is abruptly halted, however, when Guido and Giosue are separated from Dora and taken to a concentration camp. Determined to shelter his son from the horrors of his surroundings, Guido convinces Giosue that their time in the camp is merely a game.
Director
Roberto Benigni
Producer
Gianluigi Braschi, Elda Ferri
Screenwriter
Vincenzo Cerami, Roberto Benigni
Distributor
Miramax Films
Production Co
Miramax, Cecchi Gori Group Tiger Cinema
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
Italian
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 22, 1998, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 25, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$57.6M
Runtime
2h 2m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
Most Popular at Home Now