The Birdcage

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The Birdcage

R

Released Mar 8, 1996

1h 59m

Comedy

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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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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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

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Geordie Gray

The Australian

The Birdcage is silly in all the right ways.

Dec 3, 2022

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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

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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

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Nick R

Definitely an underated film with great help from Robin Williams and Nathan Lane.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/17/25

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Stephen C

Funny pride in 1 hour and 59 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In memory of Gene Hackman (January 30th, 1930-February 18th, 2025) and Robin Williams (July 21st, 1951-August 11th, 2014)!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $124,000,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/03/25

Full Review

Ethan C

I could be wrong but this feels like such an underrrated Robin Williams film, let alone an under talked about movie overall. What a great movie that is a great reminder that you do not need to change for ANYONE. Once you discover yourself, you do not need to change. This deep meaning masked by great humor and wonderful cast.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/30/25

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Kalissa H

A classic. It’s so good.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/22/25

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christina l

This show is only good for the characters Armand, Alberta and Agador. Honestly felt Val’s character repulsive and his storyline poorly developed. Would love to see Armand Alberta and Agador again in another storyline without the judgmental and selfish Val being so disgusting with his attitude and demanding so much from these three wonderful characters.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/05/25

Full Review

thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/30/25

Full Review

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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'

The Birdcage: Official Clip - Wigging Out

2:10

The Birdcage: Official Clip - Naked Greek Bowls

2:03

The Birdcage: Official Clip - This is My Mother

2:08

The Birdcage: Official Clip - Act Like a Man

2:04

The Birdcage: Official Clip - Gays in the Military

2:12

The Birdcage: Official Clip - Albert Will Not Dance

2:11

The Birdcage: Official Clip - Walking Like John Wayne

1:32

The Birdcage: Official Clip - Family Values

1:58

The Birdcage: Official Clip - Val's "Mother" Comes to Dinner

1:55

The Birdcage: Official Clip - Val's Getting Married

2:09

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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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