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The Birdcage

Play trailer Poster for The Birdcage R Released Mar 8, 1996 1h 59m Comedy LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
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85% Tomatometer 65 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
In Miami Beach, a gay couple pretend to be man and wife when a son's future father-in-law and family visit.
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The Birdcage

The Birdcage

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Critics Consensus

Mike Nichols wrangles agreeably amusing performances from Robin Williams and Nathan Lane in this fun, if not quite essential, remake of the French comedy La Cage aux Folles.

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Critics Reviews

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Andrea Thompson Chicago Reader Remakes don’t get much better than Mike Nichols’s The Birdcage, which embraced drag shows long before they became the height of cool, and more unsettlingly, another casualty of the rising tide of fascism. Jun 20, 2023 Full Review Geordie Gray The Australian The Birdcage is silly in all the right ways. Dec 3, 2022 Full Review Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online The Birdcage is a little film with knee-slapping scenes coupled with thoughtfully acute moments as well. Sep 8, 2017 Full Review Joe Lipsett The Queer Gaze (Podcast) The American remake of the French farce feels like a product of its time, particularly how it handles queer issues (which makes it feel made for straight audiences). Rated: 2.5/5 Jun 27, 2025 Full Review M.V. Moorhead Phoenix Magazine Hackman may have been overshadowed by Lane’s brilliance, but he’s genuinely hilarious. Jun 16, 2025 Full Review Romey Norton Film Focus Online Amongst all the hilarity, there are also some poignant moments in the film - when the audience is reminded that the underlying themes in this story are love, acceptance, and support. You can be giggling one second and then tearing up the next. Rated: 4/5 Jul 22, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Theo E A Haiku Review: Other than being A little hysterical It’s hysterical Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/30/25 Full Review Ace R This is an exceptional movie. It's full of comedy, and drama. It helps viewers see the realities of life from two different views. This film will hold your interest, yet make you laugh until your ribs hurt. I highly recommend seeing this movie. 👍😊 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/29/25 Full Review Tom F A fascinating relic of its time, much of it doesn’t age well. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 08/22/25 Full Review Audience Member Absolutely fantastic movie! I don’t normally laugh at movies but I laughed so much throughout The Birdcage. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/15/25 Full Review Matt C This is quite possibly my favorite comedy of all time. It takes A LOT to make me laugh and this is one of the few films that had me laughing throughout the entire length of it. Robin Williams, Nathan Lane and Gene Hackman give amazing performances. As much as I love Robin and Gene and as good of a job they did in this movie, I think Nathan steals the show, personally. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/30/25 Full Review Nick R Definitely an underated film with great help from Robin Williams and Nathan Lane. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/17/25 Full Review Read all reviews
The Birdcage

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Cast & Crew

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Mike Nichols

Director

Robin Williams

Armand Goldman

Gene Hackman

Sen. Kevin Keeley

Nathan Lane

Albert Goldman

Dianne Wiest

Louise Keeley

Hank Azaria

Agador 'Spartacus'

Movie Clips

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The Birdcage

The Birdcage: Official Clip - Wigging Out The Birdcage: Official Clip - Wigging Out 2:10 The Birdcage: Official Clip - Naked Greek Bowls The Birdcage: Official Clip - Naked Greek Bowls 2:03 The Birdcage: Official Clip - This is My Mother The Birdcage: Official Clip - This is My Mother 2:08 The Birdcage: Official Clip - Act Like a Man The Birdcage: Official Clip - Act Like a Man 2:04 The Birdcage: Official Clip - Gays in the Military The Birdcage: Official Clip - Gays in the Military 2:12 The Birdcage: Official Clip - Albert Will Not Dance The Birdcage: Official Clip - Albert Will Not Dance 2:11 The Birdcage: Official Clip - Walking Like John Wayne The Birdcage: Official Clip - Walking Like John Wayne 1:32 The Birdcage: Official Clip - Family Values The Birdcage: Official Clip - Family Values 1:58 The Birdcage: Official Clip - Val's "Mother" Comes to Dinner The Birdcage: Official Clip - Val's "Mother" Comes to Dinner 1:55 The Birdcage: Official Clip - Val's Getting Married The Birdcage: Official Clip - Val's Getting Married 2:09 View more videos

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The Birdcage

The Birdcage (1996) The Birdcage (1996) The Birdcage (1996) The Birdcage (1996) The Birdcage (1996) The Birdcage (1996) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In Miami Beach, a gay couple pretend to be man and wife when a son's future father-in-law and family visit.
Director
Mike Nichols
Producer
Mike Nichols
Screenwriter
Jean Poiret, Francis Veber, Edouard Molinaro, Marcello Danon, Elaine May
Distributor
United Artists
Production Co
United Artists, Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Rating
R
Genre
Comedy, LGBTQ+
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 8, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 20, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$124.0M
Runtime
1h 59m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo
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