King Lear (2018) | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

91% Tomatometer 22 Reviews 61% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings

King Lear divides his kingdom among his three daughters -- Goneril, Regan and Cordelia. The kingdom and family soon collapse into chaos and warfare as Lear goes mad and tragedy strikes.

King Lear

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Led by dual mesmerizing performances from Sir Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson and rounded out by a solidly stocked ensemble, this King Lear is a highly watchable adaptation.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (22) Critics Reviews
King Lear (2018) | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Isaac Butler Slate Yet the film is such a cracking good entertainment I barely even noticed that its world makes no sense. Nov 26, 2019 Full Review King Lear (2018) | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Matt Zoller Seitz New York Magazine/Vulture It's as political a production as it needs to be, and at its best, it feels as current and as timeless as a nightmare. Nov 26, 2019 Full Review King Lear (2018) | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Kimberley Jones Austin Chronicle The whole cast - top-notch - takes Anthony Hopkins' lead and chews the scenery down to gristle and bone. Oct 4, 2018 Full Review King Lear (2018) | Rotten Tomatoes (4) James Walton The Spectator And naturally, with Hopkins on board, the rest of the cast was pretty terrific as well - to the point of unexpectedly turning King Lear into something of an ensemble piece. Nov 26, 2019 Full Review King Lear (2018) | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Ani Bundel WETA Any Lear with Hopkins is a good Lear, and while this version may be thinner than most, it's still got all the moments one would wish for. Jan 31, 2019 Full Review King Lear (2018) | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Marty Brown Common Sense Media A simple, accessible version of one of Shakespeare's best. Rated: 4/5 Oct 17, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (18) audience reviews

Sheldon C If you are familiar with the original King Lear, quite a lot is cut from the original play. Scenes are shuffled about, and parts are cut that create a lack of continuity and reason. Trimming is not necessarily a bad thing, but much of the heart and pathos of Lear is lost. I love Anthony Hopkins, but here he's just a loud and angry Lear, chewing the scenery with the best of them. Lost are his passages of fear, regret, and love, making him feel more a raving, demented old man, rather than a man faced with demons of his own making, then coming to understand the consequences of his actions. I would recommend it if you'd like a good overview of Lear and the scope of its action, but I'd be worried that a newcomer might become lost as to who is doing what to whom, and why. If you are new to King Lear, don't let this be the only version you watch, as you will miss out on the emotions of a man as he suffers from the repercussions of his own vanity and pride. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/16/24 Full Review Alec B Even with a great cast I think this adaptation falls prey to one of the greatest dangers with "King Lear" . . . getting lost in the plot when its the characters and their own little misadventures that should be the real focus. If the Fool isn't memorable, you've gone astray. Rated 2/5 Stars • Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/05/24 Full Review cale c Watch for anthony hopkins Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member The greatest 01 hour: and 55 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Audience Member a great movie with a lot of wisdom Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Audience Member Like most people, I don't have a degree in old English Literature - why couldn't the characters speak in modern English so normal people could enjoy this movie? After all, this adaptation is already set in the 21st century. Total waste. Rated 0.5/5 Stars • Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews

King Lear

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Richard Eyre Director Anthony Hopkins Lear Emma Thompson Goneril Emily Watson Regan Florence Pugh Cordelia Jim Broadbent Earl of Gloucester
Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew

More Like This

View All Best Movies to Stream at Home

The Dresser 100% 62% The Dresser Watchlist All Creatures Here Below 71% 62% All Creatures Here Below Watchlist TRAILER for All Creatures Here Below Little Women 95% 92% Little Women Watchlist TRAILER for Little Women Head Full of Honey 0% 71% Head Full of Honey Watchlist TRAILER for Head Full of Honey Downton Abbey 84% 94% Downton Abbey Watchlist TRAILER for Downton Abbey Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Related Movie News

View All Related Movie News
2019 Emmy Award Nominations

Photos

View All King Lear photos

King Lear

King Lear (2018) View more photos

Synopsis King Lear divides his kingdom among his three daughters -- Goneril, Regan and Cordelia. The kingdom and family soon collapse into chaos and warfare as Lear goes mad and tragedy strikes.

Director
Richard Eyre

Producer
Noëlette Buckley

Screenwriter
Richard Eyre

Production Co
Playground Television UK Ltd

Rating
TV-14

Genre
Drama

Original Language
English

Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 27, 2018

Runtime
1h 55m
King Lear (2018) | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Pres. Carey Rath

Last Updated:

Views: 6040

Rating: 4 / 5 (61 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Pres. Carey Rath

Birthday: 1997-03-06

Address: 14955 Ledner Trail, East Rodrickfort, NE 85127-8369

Phone: +18682428114917

Job: National Technology Representative

Hobby: Sand art, Drama, Web surfing, Cycling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Leather crafting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Pres. Carey Rath, I am a faithful, funny, vast, joyous, lively, brave, glamorous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.