American Beauty
Directed by Sam Mendes · 1999 ·
Is American Beauty worth watching?
Yes. American Beauty (1999) earns an 82% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one. See the 4 inputs.
4-input transparent breakdown
Also known as Belleza Americana Beleza Americana アメリカン・ビューティー 아메리칸 뷰티 美国丽人 美國心玫瑰情 Amerikan Güzeli อเมริกัน บิวตี้
Theatrical release Where to watch
Streaming availability varies by region — our catalogue lists Paramount+ in the United Kingdom. Check local listings for your region.
Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home
Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home
Where to watch American Beauty by country
| Country | Streaming on |
|---|---|
| Indonesia | Vidio |
| Japan | U-NEXT |
| United Kingdom | Paramount+ |
Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.
Why this score?
- Celluloid's editorial rating is positive (85/100).
- General viewers mostly liked it (87%).
- Metascore is generally favorable (79/100).
- Letterboxd diarists rate it highly (4/5).
- IMDb users score it 8.3/10.
Best for
- Viewers who want a well-regarded drama pick
Not ideal for
Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy
Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.
Is American Beauty worth watching?
Yes — American Beauty earns an 82% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded drama pick.
Celluloid verdict
IMDb Top 250 #86 (8.3/10) — American Beauty remains one of the most highly rated films of all time.
Kaiser Khan, Founder & Editor
Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.
What is American Beauty about?
Lester Burnham, a depressed suburban father in a mid-life crisis, decides to turn his hectic life around after developing an infatuation with his daughter's attractive friend.
Watch the Trailer
American Beauty stills
Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.
Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.
Reader takes
No reader takes published yet. Send yours and we may publish it after editing.
American Beauty: frequently asked questions
Is American Beauty worth watching?
Yes. American Beauty (1999) has a Celluloid Score of 82%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.
Where can I watch American Beauty?
In the United States you can rent it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube. Elsewhere: Vidio in Indonesia; U-NEXT in Japan; Paramount+ in the United Kingdom. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.
How long is American Beauty?
American Beauty runs 2 hours 2 minutes (122 minutes).
What is American Beauty rated?
American Beauty is rated R in the United States, 18 in the UK, MA 15+ in Australia and 19 in South Korea. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.
Who stars in American Beauty?
American Beauty is directed by Sam Mendes and stars Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Wes Bentley, Mena Suvari.
What is the Metascore for American Beauty?
Metacritic's Metascore for American Beauty is 79 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.
More Like This
Ranked by genre overlap and Celluloid Score. More movies like American Beauty →
