Shakespeare in Love

Name: Shakespeare in Love
Genre: Romance, History, Comedy
Released: 1998-12-11
Duration: 2 h 4 min
Rating: 6.8
Cast: Joseph Fiennes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Geoffrey Rush, Tom Wilkinson, Judi Dench

1998·Movie·R·124 min·★ 6.8(3,220)

RomanceHistoryComedy More English titles

“Love is the only inspiration.”

Young William Shakespeare is forced to stage his latest comedy, 'Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter', before it's even written. When lovely noblewoman Viola de Lesseps auditions for a role, they fall into forbidden love — and Shakespeare's play finds a new life (and title). As their relationship intensifies, the comedy soon transforms into tragedy.

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Where to watch Shakespeare in Love in United States

Click a service to open Shakespeare in Love there. Availability last verified on June 21, 2026.

Where is Shakespeare in Love streaming around the world?

Country	Streaming on	Rent / Buy
United States	fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential	Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies
India	JioHotstar	Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
United Kingdom	—	Apple TV Store, Rakuten TV, Amazon Video
Canada	Netflix, Hollywood Suite, Hollywood Suite Amazon Channel, Netflix Standard with Ads	Apple TV Store, CosmoGo
Australia	SBS On Demand	Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies
Germany	Magenta TV+	Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies
France	HBO Max, HBO Max Amazon Channel	Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Canal VOD
Spain	—	Apple TV Store, Rakuten TV, Google Play Movies
Brazil	—	Claro video, Apple TV Store, Amazon Video
Japan	U-NEXT	Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies

About Shakespeare in Love

Shakespeare in Love is a 1998 English-language romance, history and comedy film directed by John Madden. The cast is led by Joseph Fiennes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Geoffrey Rush. It has a runtime of 2h 4m. Viewers rate it 6.8/10 across 3200 ratings. In United States, it is currently streaming on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Paramount Plus Premium.

Shakespeare in Love was produced by Miramax, Universal Pictures, and Bedford Falls Productions and made in United States of America. It was released on December 11, 1998, and carries a R certification. Made on a budget of about $25 million, it went on to gross $289 million worldwide.

Director: John Madden
Writers: Marc Norman, Tom Stoppard
Release date: December 11, 1998
Original language: English
Age rating: R
Status: Released
Country: United States of America
Budget: $25 million
Box office: $289 million
Production: Miramax, Universal Pictures, Bedford Falls Productions

#london, england#theater play#queen elizabeth i#playwright#cross dressing#false history#francis bacon#16th century#acting#elizabethan england#romantic

Shakespeare in Love cast & crew

Shakespeare in Love was directed by John Madden and written by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard.

The cast features Joseph Fiennes as Will Shakespeare, Gwyneth Paltrow as Viola De Lesseps, Geoffrey Rush as Philip Henslowe, Tom Wilkinson as Hugh Fennyman, Judi Dench as Queen Elizabeth, and Imelda Staunton as Nurse.

Behind the camera, the score was composed by Stephen Warbeck, cinematography is by Richard Greatrex, and it was produced by Harvey Weinstein and Bob Weinstein.

Is Shakespeare in Love worth watching?

Shakespeare in Love holds an audience score of 6.8/10 from 3,220 ratings, a solidly received romance films.

At 2h 4m, it's a standard feature-length watch.

If you enjoy romance, history, and comedy, Shakespeare in Love is worth a place on your watchlist.

How and where to watch Shakespeare in Love

In United States, you can stream Shakespeare in Love on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, and Paramount+ Amazon Channel, or rent and buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. Click any service above to open it directly.

Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.