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The Birdcage

Play trailer Poster for The Birdcage R 1996 1h 59m Comedy LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
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85% Tomatometer 66 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.
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The Birdcage

The Birdcage

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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 06/20/2023
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 12/03/2022
The Birdcage is silly in all the right ways. Go to Full Review Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online 09/08/2017
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
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
One of the funniest comedies ever made Go to Full Review Joe Lipsett The Queer Gaze (Podcast) 06/27/2025
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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ben W Jun 13 This was okay. An interesting story about hiding who you really are to appeal to others. It was strange though and not my type of comedy. See more Adam Jun 12 I mean, this movie is perfect. I loved being able to see it in the theater. The only thing that would have made it better would be some kind of promotional tie-in, like a popcorn bucket with boys (and girls) playing leapfrog! See more Peter Jun 12 Lots of stereotypical gay behaviour. The politically based, probably necessary, dates the film. I doubt that younger viewers can grasp the subtleties. Mike Nichols had done better. See more Kathryn Jun 11 Great movie! Just fun all around. Great cast! See more Luna Jun 11 Amazing classic comedy with friends, good times See more xcjb9 Jun 11 greatly funny ! well done and acted ! lots of laughs ! See more Read all reviews
The Birdcage

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