The Lunchbox Review (2013) — 74% Celluloid Score
Directed by Ritesh Batra · 2013 ·
Is The Lunchbox worth watching?
Yes. The Lunchbox (2013) earns a 74% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics (96%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (88%). See the 4 inputs.
4-input transparent breakdown
Also known as Lunchbox A Lancheira めぐり逢わせのお弁当 런치박스 午餐盒 美味情書 Sefer Tası เมนูต้องมนต์รัก
Theatrical release Where to watch
Streaming availability varies by region — our catalogue lists MUBI in Indonesia. 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 The Lunchbox by country
| Country | Streaming on |
|---|---|
| Indonesia | MUBI |
| Japan | MUBI |
| Malaysia | MUBI |
| Nigeria | MUBI |
| Philippines | MUBI |
| South Africa | MUBI |
| South Korea | MUBI |
| Thailand | MUBI |
| United Arab Emirates | MUBI |
Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.
Why this score?
- Celluloid's editorial rating is exceptional (96/100).
- General viewers mostly liked it (88%).
- Metascore is generally favorable (76/100).
- Celluloid Score 74% combines 4 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.
Best for
- Short runtime — easy weeknight watch
Not ideal for
- Viewers who only watch top-tier, 90%+ rated films
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 The Lunchbox worth watching?
Yes — The Lunchbox earns a 74% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits short runtime — easy weeknight watch, but viewers who only watch top-tier, 90%+ rated films may want to skip it. Read our full review (4/5).
Celluloid verdict
A mistaken dabba delivery sparks one of Indian indie cinema’s tenderest epistolary romances.
Kaiser Khan, Founder & Editor
Critics (96%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (88%).
What is The Lunchbox about?
A mistaken delivery in Mumbai's famously efficient lunchbox delivery system (Mumbai's Dabbawallahs) connects a young housewife to a stranger in the dusk of his life. They build a fantasy world together through notes in the lunchbox. Gradually, this fantasy threatens to overwhelm their reality.
Watch the Trailer
Critic Reviews
The Lunchbox (2013) Review: Intimacy, One Note at a Time
★★★★☆
Ritesh Batra's Mumbai drama finds a connection in a mistaken lunch delivery. A spoiler-free review of Irrfan Khan and Nimrat Kaur's performances, the city's rhythms and the film's quiet reservations.
A finely acted, bittersweet drama for viewers who value small gestures over romantic spectacle. The Lunchbox finds humour and longing in ordinary routines, while leaving some emotional questions deliberately unresolved.
The Lunchbox 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.
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The Lunchbox: frequently asked questions
Is The Lunchbox worth watching?
Yes. The Lunchbox (2013) has a Celluloid Score of 74%, 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 The Lunchbox?
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: MUBI in Indonesia; MUBI in Japan; MUBI in Malaysia; MUBI in Nigeria. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.
How long is The Lunchbox?
The Lunchbox runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).
What is The Lunchbox rated?
The Lunchbox is rated U in India and G in Japan. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.
Who stars in The Lunchbox?
The Lunchbox is directed by Ritesh Batra and stars Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Lillete Dubey, Nasir Khan.
What is the Metascore for The Lunchbox?
Metacritic's Metascore for The Lunchbox is 76 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.
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