The War of the Roses

Play trailer

2:41

The War of the Roses

R

1989

1h 56m

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

84%

Tomatometer

44 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

After 17 years of marriage, Barbara (Kathleen Turner) and Oliver Rose (Michael Douglas) want out. The trouble is, neither one wants to part with their opulent home. So begins a long war between husband and wife, reaching farcical heights that leave much of the house -- not to mention their lives -- in shambles. The couple's children (Sean Astin, Heather Fairfield) watch in horror while lawyer Gavin D'Amato (Danny DeVito) tries his best to stem the bloodshed.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

The War of the Roses is a black comedy made even funnier by hanging onto its caustic convictions -- and further distinguished by Danny DeVito's stylish direction.

Read Critics Reviews

Robyn Karney

Empire Magazine

Wildly funny and deeply disturbing.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 11, 2008

Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

DeVito's taste for unorthodox camera angles and striking camera movements occasionally verges on overreaching but for the most part admirably serves the action.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 11, 2008

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Trying to wring yocks from a deranged couple locked in mortal combat over possession of their house is more suited to film noir than black comedy.

Feb 11, 2008

Full Review

Sarah Vincent

Sarah G Vincent Views

This movie was the definitive film about what not to do in life, marriage and divorce.

Aug 28, 2025

Full Review

Jana Monji

Age of the Geek

Not as good as the remake, but still full of funny moments if you like dark comedy that favors the male point of view. Of course, the chemistry between Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner is off the charts.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 27, 2025

Full Review

Mike Pearson

Denver Rocky Mountain News

This one is unforgettable.

Aug 21, 2025

Full Review

Read all reviews

Shaun R

Black comedy at its finest. 2 great leads and some iconic scenes. Heaven forbid they make films like this now where both the male and female leads give as good as they get.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/28/25

Full Review

mbryanf

I saw this movie for the first time when I was nine years old. I loved it then and I still love it thirty years later!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/28/25

Full Review

Miles P

Ah I remember this well. Still in our honeymoon phase and we went to see this blizzard of negativity and just hated it. We were huge fans of Douglas and Turner (Romancing the Stone) and this left a pretty nasty taste in our mouths. 36 years later we noticed a sequel coming out. Big pass. We still remember this crap. Really sorry if you can identify with it.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/27/25

Full Review

Julian S.

Every couple should be forced to screen this before saying ‘I do.’

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/22/25

Full Review

Allen R

The fighting between Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner is hilarious. It's hard to understand why the wife character flipped when she did and not earlier, but a lot of fun for a dark comedy.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/11/25

Full Review

randall f

Love this movie

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/06/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Danny DeVito

Director

Michael Douglas

Oliver Rose

Kathleen Turner

Barbara Rose

Danny DeVito

Gavin D'Amato

Marianne Sägebrecht

Susan

Sean Astin

Josh at 17

White Men Can't Jump

75%

69%

White Men Can't Jump

Watchlist

Betsy's Wedding

56%

40%

Betsy's Wedding

Watchlist

Where the Heart Is

9%

57%

Where the Heart Is

Watchlist

Other People's Money

31%

47%

Other People's Money

Watchlist

Cadillac Man

62%

32%

Cadillac Man

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Danny DeVito’s 10 Best Movies

Cast Lines Up for the "Day of the Dead" Remake

The War of the Roses: Trailer 1

2:41

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

After 17 years of marriage, Barbara (Kathleen Turner) and Oliver Rose (Michael Douglas) want out. The trouble is, neither one wants to part with their opulent home. So begins a long war between husband and wife, reaching farcical heights that leave much of the house -- not to mention their lives -- in shambles. The couple's children (Sean Astin, Heather Fairfield) watch in horror while lawyer Gavin D'Amato (Danny DeVito) tries his best to stem the bloodshed.

Director: Danny DeVito
Producer: James L. Brooks, Arnon Milchan
Screenwriter: Michael Leeson
Production Co: Gracie Films, Twentieth Century Fox
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $84.1M
Runtime: 1h 56m
Sound Mix: Surround

Most Popular at Home Now