Romeo + Juliet

A modern retelling of a timeless love story that defies family feuds and societal expectations.

Critics broadly recognized the adaptation as fresh, inventive, and strongly performed, while remaining divided over its aggressively stylized aesthetic and collision of modern imagery with Shakespearean language.

• Baz Luhrmann places Shakespeare's dialogue and plot in modern Verona Beach with guns, television news, and corporate family dynasties.
• The film combines vivid color, rapid editing, religious imagery, elaborate costumes, and expressive production design around the lovers' romance.
• Romeo and Juliet must conceal their relationship because the Montague and Capulet families are locked in violent rivalry.
• The star-crossed lovers premise and repeated omens frame the romance through dramatic irony and foreknowledge of catastrophe.

• West Side Storymodernized shakespearean tragedy, forbidden teenage romance, stylized visual energy, and feuding families
• Moulin Rouge!highly stylized romantic tragedy, heightened theatricality, and young lovers caught in social conflict
• Ocontemporary adaptation of classic romance, heightened performances, and conflict between social groups

Director

Baz Luhrmann

Release Date

1996-11-01

Runtime

120 min

Rating

6.8 / 10 (5495)

What is Romeo + Juliet about?

A visually explosive 1990s reimagining turns Shakespeare’s doomed lovers into gun-slinging teenagers trapped by a modern family feud.

What is Romeo + Juliet like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Romeo + Juliet as breakneck, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Romeo + Juliet violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Romeo + Juliet as moderate.

What did critics think of Romeo + Juliet?

Critics broadly recognized the adaptation as fresh, inventive, and strongly performed, while remaining divided over its aggressively stylized aesthetic and collision of modern imagery with Shakespearean language.

Which films are like Romeo + Juliet?

Films with a similar feel include West Side Story, Moulin Rouge!, and O.

How long is Romeo + Juliet?

Romeo + Juliet runs 120 minutes.

Where can I watch Romeo + Juliet?

In United States, Romeo + Juliet streams on Hulu, Cinemax Amazon Channel, HBO Max, Cinemax Apple TV channel.