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Moonlight

Play trailer 1:55 Poster for Moonlight R 2016 1h 51m Drama LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
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98% Tomatometer 402 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
A look at three defining chapters in the life of Chiron, a young black man growing up in Miami. His epic journey to manhood is guided by the kindness, support and love of the community that helps raise him.
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Moonlight

Moonlight

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Critics Consensus

Moonlight uses one man's story to offer a remarkable and brilliantly crafted look at lives too rarely seen in cinema.

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Critics Reviews

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Andrea Thompson Chicago Reader Jenkins portrays a world so often fetishized and reduced to its most violent outcomes from the inside, with tenderness and Wong Kar-wai’s influence on his cinematic sleeve. Jun 21, 2023 Full Review Nijla Mu'min Bitch Media Moonlight displays the kind of empathy and humanity that we desperately need right now. Feb 17, 2021 Full Review Elena Lazic Little White Lies Jenkins' authorial voice is resounding and strong and his determination admirable. Mar 21, 2018 Full Review Joe Lipsett The Queer Gaze (Podcast) Jenkins' gorgeous adaptation presents a triptych dedicated to a specific queer, Black experience that is undeniably universal. Rated: 5/5 Jul 24, 2025 Full Review Don Shanahan Every Movie Has a Lesson The film uncannily rises above the wrongful stereotypes associated with sexual orientation and urban settings to assuage its dangers with an uncommon and persistent pulse towards messages of acceptance, healing, and heart. Rated: 5/5 Jul 20, 2025 Full Review JD Duran InSession Film Jenkins doesn’t rely on pity to make Moonlight dramatically engaging. Instead, he pours out an aura of compassion that naturally renders this film poignant. On top of that, the cinematography and lighting is exhilarating in this film. Aug 8, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Lucas H this was an interesting experience, the movie was good and very sad sometimes, I expected something different but it was good never the less, the ending is very abrupt tho Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/19/21 Full Review EE D Super well done movie! Jenkins manages to let us live through the struggles of a young black boy who's growing up and the myriad of struggles he has to go through Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/26/25 Full Review Julianne O Sometimes a film comes along that will kick and stomp me to an emotional level that overwhelms me. I put off watching Moonlight just from watching the trailer because what just those few moments did to me. The faces. The eyes. The sadness. I knew what it would do to me. I was living overseas when I saw Boyz in the Hood and I cried nearly through the entire film because I was embarrassed to be from North America. I felt ashamed to live in a country where others lived in a way that was so completely foreign to me. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/01/25 Full Review Michari N. An amazing story that explores the themes of masculinity and homosexuality is a well-deserved watch. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/25/25 Full Review H H Didn't hate it, didn't love it. Don't quite get the hype. The three acts so far apart in time made it hard to get the know the characters. Came across as a litter superficial to me. The cinematography was great. But the story could have been a lot better. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/18/25 Full Review Audience Member 5/5 because lalala land fans are annoying lmao Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/23/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Moonlight

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Movie Info

Synopsis A look at three defining chapters in the life of Chiron, a young black man growing up in Miami. His epic journey to manhood is guided by the kindness, support and love of the community that helps raise him.
Director
Barry Jenkins
Producer
Adele Romanski, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner
Screenwriter
Barry Jenkins
Distributor
A24
Production Co
Plan B Entertainment, Pastel, Upload Films
Rating
R (Drug Use|Brief Violence|Language Throughout|Some Sexuality)
Genre
Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 18, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 21, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$27.9M
Runtime
1h 51m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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