Shoplifters of the World

Play trailer

2:02

Shoplifters of the World

2021,

1h 31m,

Comedy/

Drama/

Music

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Shoplifters of the World: Trailer 1

Now Playing

View more videos

Watchlist

44%

43 Reviews

Tomatometer

69%

50+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

44%

Tomatometer

43 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

In the Summer of 1987, four friends, reeling from the sudden break-up of the iconic British band The Smiths, embark on a night out of partying to mourn their musical loss. At the same time, an impassioned Smiths fan takes a local radio DJ hostage at gunpoint and forces him to play nothing but Smiths tracks. With the radio station playing as the soundtrack to their night, the friends go on a wild journey of self-discovery that will transform them forever. Featuring an incredible soundtrack -- including 20 songs from The Smiths -- Shoplifters of the World is a glorious ode to the craziness of the '80s and the power of music to change people's lives.

Critics Consensus

Strong performances and affectionate period detail aren't enough to disguise the vacuous characters that make up Shoplifters of the World.

Read Critics Reviews

Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

Mar 31, 2021

2/4

While there's nothing much new here, "Shoplifters" does have heart and soul, and some killer Smiths songs.

Go to Full Review

David Ehrlich

IndieWire

Mar 30, 2021

C-

"The Breakfast Club" approach to sorting these characters into archetypes is unrewarding, and there's no trace of the personal connection that everyone brings to their most passionate fandom.

Go to Full Review

Monica Castillo

RogerEbert.com

Mar 27, 2021

1.5/4

Kijak so clearly wants to share his love of The Smiths with the world, but it overpowers just about everything else in the movie.

Go to Full Review

Ben Flanagan

Vague Visages

Feb 10, 2024

“‘Shoplifters of the World’ seems more affectionate to 2000s conceptions of 1980s nostalgia than to the thing itself.”

Go to Full Review

David Reddish

Queerty

Mar 13, 2022

3/4

Shoplifters of the World doesnt fetishize nostalgia so much as offer a glimpse into a specific time and place, and to the anxiety young LGBTQ people felt at the time.

Go to Full Review

Mark Beaumont

NME (New Musical Express)

Jul 1, 2021

3/5

Go expecting a cinematic fan letter rather than anything Wilde-worthy and this is one night that will, at the very least, open your ears.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Stephen Kijak

Director

Helena Howard

Cleo

Ellar Coltrane

Dean

Elena Kampouris

Sheila

Nick Krause

Billy

James Bloor

Patrick

Fisherman's Friends

69%

74%

Fisherman's Friends

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Fisherman's Friends

Mighty Oak

52%

78%

Mighty Oak

Watchlist

Hearts Beat Loud

92%

74%

Hearts Beat Loud

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Hearts Beat Loud

Lords of Chaos

73%

Lords of Chaos

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Lords of Chaos

Blinded by the Light

89%

91%

Blinded by the Light

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Blinded by the Light

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Shoplifters of the World: Trailer 1

2:02

Now Playing

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

In the Summer of 1987, four friends, reeling from the sudden break-up of the iconic British band The Smiths, embark on a night out of partying to mourn their musical loss. At the same time, an impassioned Smiths fan takes a local radio DJ hostage at gunpoint and forces him to play nothing but Smiths tracks. With the radio station playing as the soundtrack to their night, the friends go on a wild journey of self-discovery that will transform them forever. Featuring an incredible soundtrack -- including 20 songs from The Smiths -- Shoplifters of the World is a glorious ode to the craziness of the '80s and the power of music to change people's lives.

Director: Stephen Kijak
Producer: Joe Manganiello, Nick Manganiello, Laura Rister, Adam Schoon, Marco Vicini, Christopher Figg, Lorianne Hall, Phil Hoelting
Screenwriter: Stephen Kijak
Distributor: RLJE Films
Production Co: 3:59, Oscura Film, Untitled Entertainment
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 26, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 26, 2021
Runtime: 1h 31m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings