Richard III

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Richard III

R

1995

1h 45m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

51 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

A murderous lust for the British throne sees Richard III (Ian McKellen) descend into madness. Though the setting is transposed to the 1930s, England is torn by civil war, split between the rivaling houses of York and Lancaster. Richard aspires to a fascist dictatorship, but must first remove the obstacles to his ascension -- among them his brother, his nephews and his brother's wife (Annette Bening). When the Duke of Buckingham (Jim Broadbent) deserts him, Richard's plans are compromised.

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Critics Consensus

This re-imagining of Shakespeare's Crookback King relocates the story in 1930 and features an indelible star turn for Ian McKellen as the monstrous and magnetic King Richard.

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Tom Huddleston

Time Out

Apr 26, 2016

5/5

Rarely has a film used London's landmarks so cannily.

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Kate Muir

The Times (UK)

Apr 21, 2016

4/5

An outrageous, wickedly funny, 1930s fascist version of the Shakespeare play starring Ian McKellen as Richard of Gloucester.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Apr 21, 2016

4/5

The "fascist" staging could have been hackneyed, but Loncraine carries it off superbly as the showcase for action-thriller noir.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Mar 12, 2026

3.5/4

A bold revision, and one that works quite well.

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Kat Halstead

Common Sense Media

Sep 25, 2024

Packed full of impressive names and receiving plenty of awards nods, this cleverly adapted Shakespeare classic makes a strong impact from start to finish.

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Farah Cheded

A Good Movie To Watch

Nov 25, 2023

An inspired Shakespeare update with a terrifying Ian McKellen performance at its center, this is a masterpiece of its own.

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Robert P

@Superbad 4 days ago

Richard III is a *4.5* star Movie!

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Spike D

@Spike93 Oct 13, 2025

Sensational. I think Shakespeare would have loved it.

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Clinton R

@CWRoss48 Sep 21, 2025

Shakespeare clearly understood without any need for a guide, footnote or what-the-hell. Olivier's and Brannaugh's word-perfect-yet-dry renditions are many levels below McKellen's tour-de-force. Excellent in every regard!

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Stephen C

@bob25009 May 15, 2025

1.75 hours of royal drama.

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Rami A

@Bunt101 Apr 20, 2025

Only a few Shakespeare plays can be modernized. This transformation can work only if executed correctly, and I'm pleased to say that this adaptation of the play is well done. Unlike the original, this version is set in the 1930s, which may seem unusual, but the filmmakers and Ian McKellen made it work. The performances are strong, the use of the Shakespeare script is surprisingly faithful, and the pacing is excellent.

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Jelisije J

@jjosifovic Sep 17, 2024

One of the few great Shakespearean plays adapted to modern times that is held up by a great cast and with always the great Ian McKellen.

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Richard Loncraine

Director

Ian McKellen

Richard III

Annette Bening

Queen Elizabeth

Jim Broadbent

Duke of Buckingham

Robert Downey Jr.

Lord Rivers

Nigel Hawthorne

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Synopsis

A murderous lust for the British throne sees Richard III (Ian McKellen) descend into madness. Though the setting is transposed to the 1930s, England is torn by civil war, split between the rivaling houses of York and Lancaster. Richard aspires to a fascist dictatorship, but must first remove the obstacles to his ascension -- among them his brother, his nephews and his brother's wife (Annette Bening). When the Duke of Buckingham (Jim Broadbent) deserts him, Richard's plans are compromised.

Director: Richard Loncraine
Producer: Lisa Katselas Paré, Stephen Bayly
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: United Artists, Mayfair Entertainment International, British Screen Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 29, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 1, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.4M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, DTS, Stereo, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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