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The Birdcage

Play trailer Poster for The Birdcage R,  1996,  1h 59m,  Comedy/ LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 87% 63 Reviews Tomatometer 81% 100,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
87% Tomatometer 63 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
In Miami Beach, a gay couple pretend to be man and wife when a son's future father-in-law and family visit.
The Birdcage

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Mike Nichols wrangles agreeably amusing performances from Robin Williams and Nathan Lane in this fun, if not quite essential, remake of the French comedy La Cage aux Folles.

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Critics Reviews

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Andrea Thompson Chicago Reader Jun 20, 2023
Remakes don’t get much better than Mike Nichols’s The Birdcage, which embraced drag shows long before they became the height of cool, and more unsettlingly, another casualty of the rising tide of fascism. Go to Full Review
Geordie Gray The Australian Dec 3, 2022
The Birdcage is silly in all the right ways. Go to Full Review
Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online Sep 8, 2017
The Birdcage is a little film with knee-slapping scenes coupled with thoughtfully acute moments as well. Go to Full Review
John Paul King Washington Blade Jul 17, 2026
Thirty years ago, “The Birdcage” was a fun celebration; today, in a world that once more feels weaponized against queerness, it’s more than that: It’s a great film that reminds us that our greatest victories arise from being ourselves, unapologetically. Go to Full Review
Rachel Wagner Rachel's Reviews (YouTube) Jun 13, 2026
One of the funniest comedies ever made Go to Full Review
Joe Lipsett The Queer Gaze (Podcast) Jun 27, 2025
2.5/5
The American remake of the French farce feels like a product of its time, particularly how it handles queer issues (which makes it feel made for straight audiences). Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Kylo S Apr 5, 2019 Such a good movie! Definitely my favorite Robin Williams movie!
Draco W Mar 12, 2019 this needs to be a higher rated film, its a master piece.
Han S Feb 10, 2019 Nathan Lane and Robin Williams are fantastic they are so funny. It is hard to watch Robin is sadly missed he was a comic genius See more
Feb 8, 2019 Two gay men who run and star in their own Drag Club must hide who they are when their son informs them his fiancee and her very conservative parents are coming over. Tons of one-liners, an elaborate charade and nerves that can break at any second! A good and enjoyable watch! See more
Han L Feb 7, 2019 This film still holds up. It's still funny and the passage of time hasn't cast it as offensive to gay people. Robin Williams is a delight as the straight man to Nathan Lane's hilarious campy with depth character. A fun movie that still amuses. The supporting cast contains some great talent but do feel a bit underused. See more
Han S Jan 27, 2019 A very progressive movie for 1996! I adored Robin Williams fashion in this film!
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The Birdcage

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Mike Nichols

Director

Robin Williams

Armand Goldman

Gene Hackman

Sen. Kevin Keeley

Nathan Lane

Albert Goldman

Dianne Wiest

Louise Keeley

Hank Azaria

Agador 'Spartacus'

Movie Clips

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The Birdcage

The Birdcage: Official Clip - Wigging Out The Birdcage: Official Clip - Wigging Out 2:10 Now Playing The Birdcage: Official Clip - Naked Greek Bowls The Birdcage: Official Clip - Naked Greek Bowls 2:03 Now Playing The Birdcage: Official Clip - This is My Mother The Birdcage: Official Clip - This is My Mother 2:08 Now Playing The Birdcage: Official Clip - Act Like a Man The Birdcage: Official Clip - Act Like a Man 2:04 Now Playing The Birdcage: Official Clip - Gays in the Military The Birdcage: Official Clip - Gays in the Military 2:12 Now Playing The Birdcage: Official Clip - Albert Will Not Dance The Birdcage: Official Clip - Albert Will Not Dance 2:11 Now Playing The Birdcage: Official Clip - Walking Like John Wayne The Birdcage: Official Clip - Walking Like John Wayne 1:32 Now Playing The Birdcage: Official Clip - Family Values The Birdcage: Official Clip - Family Values 1:58 Now Playing The Birdcage: Official Clip - Val's "Mother" Comes to Dinner The Birdcage: Official Clip - Val's "Mother" Comes to Dinner 1:55 Now Playing The Birdcage: Official Clip - Val's Getting Married The Birdcage: Official Clip - Val's Getting Married 2:09 Now Playing View more videos

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The Birdcage

The Birdcage (1996) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In Miami Beach, a gay couple pretend to be man and wife when a son's future father-in-law and family visit.
Director
Mike Nichols
Producer
Mike Nichols
Screenwriter
Jean Poiret, Francis Veber, Edouard Molinaro, Marcello Danon, Elaine May
Distributor
United Artists
Production Co
United Artists, Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Rating
R
Genre
Comedy, LGBTQ+
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 8, 1996, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Jun 7, 2026
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 20, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$124.0M
Runtime
1h 59m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo
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