Moonlight

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Moonlight

R

Released Nov 18, 2016

1h 51m

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

401 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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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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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

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Nijla Mu'min

Bitch Media

Moonlight displays the kind of empathy and humanity that we desperately need right now.

Feb 17, 2021

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Elena Lazic

Little White Lies

Jenkins' authorial voice is resounding and strong and his determination admirable.

Mar 21, 2018

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

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Brendan Cassidy

InSession Film

Moonlight is filmmaking poetry, and a perfect movie.

Jun 18, 2024

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Patricia Karounos

Refinery29

A profoundly moving coming-of-age portrait of a young Black man throughout various stages of his life as he explores his sexuality and who he fundamentally is.

Oct 23, 2023

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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

Noah W.

Moonlight captures silence like no other film. Every pause, glance, and breath carries weight beyond dialogue. It's perfect in every way it trusts emotion to carry the story. A story that's necessary for those who see their struggles and truths reflected in its characters. But even with all its complexities, it's about being seen in a world that teaches you to hide. I keep coming back to Moonlight because I want to believe in a society where someone like Chiron gets to live safety without needing to explain why he deserves to.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/30/25

Full Review

Cory C

A beautiful coming of age tale of a man dealing with his own sexuality while living in the toughest of conditions as a young black man. Mahershala Ali is a standout and loved ever second he was on screen. Need more films like this to tackle such interesting topics

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/26/25

Full Review

Helen w

Boy looks sulky. Women give him food. Boy grows up and continues to sulk silently. Women continue to try to help him. There must be at least a full hour of silent close ups of his expressionless face. They could have replaced the lead actor with a cardboard cut out with no appreciable difference.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/24/25

Full Review

Regal R

0/100 - cannot recommend.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/12/25

Full Review

Tayon K

One of the best cinematic experiences you will ever see. Story is strong, accurate and heartbreaking, yet fulfilling.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/21/25

Full Review

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The Swimming Lesson Scene in ‘Moonlight’ | Rotten Tomatoes’ 21 Most Memorable Moments

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Moonlight: Trailer 1

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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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