The Birdcage

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The Birdcage

R

1996

1h 59m

Comedy

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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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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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.

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Geordie Gray

The Australian

12/03/2022

The Birdcage is silly in all the right ways.

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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.

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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.

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Rachel Wagner

Rachel's Reviews (YouTube)

Jun 13

One of the funniest comedies ever made

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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).

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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.

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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!

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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.

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Kathryn

Jun 11

Great movie! Just fun all around. Great cast!

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Luna

Jun 11

Amazing classic comedy with friends, good times

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xcjb9

Jun 11

greatly funny ! well done and acted ! lots of laughs !

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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'

The Birdcage: Official Clip - Wigging Out

2:10

The Birdcage: Official Clip - Naked Greek Bowls

2:03

The Birdcage: Official Clip - This is My Mother

2:08

The Birdcage: Official Clip - Act Like a Man

2:04

The Birdcage: Official Clip - Gays in the Military

2:12

The Birdcage: Official Clip - Albert Will Not Dance

2:11

The Birdcage: Official Clip - Walking Like John Wayne

1:32

The Birdcage: Official Clip - Family Values

1:58

The Birdcage: Official Clip - Val's "Mother" Comes to Dinner

1:55

The Birdcage: Official Clip - Val's Getting Married

2:09

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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