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DramaComedy Editor's Pick

Birdman Review (2014) — 84% Celluloid Score

Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu · 2014 ·

Short answer

Is Birdman worth watching?

Yes. Birdman (2014) earns an 84% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics (91%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (77%). See the 4 inputs.

84%
Celluloid Score Recommended

4-input transparent breakdown

91% Editorial Rating
77% Audience snapshot · excluded
88 Metascore
★★★½☆ Letterboxd 3.9
7.7 IMDb /10
0
Watch Trailer
Released
Runtime
2h 0m
Age rating
R (US) · 15 (UK) · A (India) · 17+ (Indonesia) · MA 15+ (Australia)
Cast
Michael Keaton , Emma Stone , Zach Galifianakis , Edward Norton , Andrea Riseborough , Naomi Watts , Amy Ryan , Lindsay Duncan
Streaming
HBO Max
Language
English

Also known as Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) Birdman o (La Inesperada Virtud de la Ignorancia) Birdman oder (Die unverhoffte Macht der Ahnungslosigkeit) Birdman ou (A Inesperada Virtude da Ignorância) バードマン あるいは（無知がもたらす予期せぬ奇跡） 버드맨 鸟人 鳥人

Where to watch

  • HBO Max

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 Birdman by country

Country Streaming on
India Vi Movies & TV
Japan Disney+, U-NEXT
South Korea Disney+
Thailand Disney+
Turkey Disney+, TV+, HBO Max
United Kingdom Prime Video, Disney+
United States HBO Max

Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.

Why this score?

  • Celluloid's editorial rating is exceptional (91/100).
  • General viewers mostly liked it (77%).
  • Metascore signals universal acclaim (88/100).
  • Celluloid Score 84% combines 4 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.

Best for

  • Viewers who want a well-regarded drama, comedy pick
  • Critics' darlings — stronger with reviewers than general viewers

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 Birdman worth watching?

    Yes — Birdman earns an 84% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded drama, comedy pick. Read our full review (4/5).

    Celluloid verdict

    Iñárritu’s backstage fever dream won Best Picture — Keaton’s comeback and a Steadicam flex for the ages.

    , Founder & Editor

    Critics (91%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (77%).

    What is Birdman about?

    A fading actor best known for his portrayal of a popular superhero attempts to mount a comeback by appearing in a Broadway play. As opening night approaches, his attempts to become more altruistic, rebuild his career, and reconnect with friends and family prove more difficult than expected.

    Watch the Trailer

    Critic Reviews

    Short review 4 min read English Birdman

    Birdman (2014) Review: Ego, Filmed in One Breath

    Birdman is Alejandro G. Iñárritu's Best Picture-winning backstage comedy, with Michael Keaton as a faded superhero star staking everything on a Broadway play.

    Yes, with reservations. It is a dazzling, darkly funny showbiz satire with a career-best Michael Keaton, though its restless technique and self-regard can be exhausting.

    Kaiser Khan Founder & Editor

    Birdman stills

    Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.

    Birdman production still 1
    Birdman production still 2
    Birdman production still 3
    Birdman production still 4
    Birdman production still 5
    Birdman production still 6

    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.

    Birdman: frequently asked questions

    Is Birdman worth watching?

    Yes. Birdman (2014) has a Celluloid Score of 84%, 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 Birdman?

    In the United States, Birdman streams on HBO Max with a subscription, and you can rent it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube. Elsewhere: Vi Movies & TV in India; Disney+, U-NEXT in Japan; Disney+ in South Korea; Disney+ in Thailand. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.

    How long is Birdman?

    Birdman runs 2 hours (120 minutes).

    What is Birdman rated?

    Birdman is rated R in the United States, 15 in the UK, A in India, 17+ in Indonesia and MA 15+ in Australia. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

    Who stars in Birdman?

    Birdman is directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and stars Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough.

    What is the Metascore for Birdman?

    Metacritic's Metascore for Birdman is 88 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

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