Romeo + Juliet (1996)

70% of critics liked it
(56 reviews)
76% of users liked it
(494,959 ratings)

The classic Shakespearean romantic tragedy is updated by director Baz Luhrmann to a post-modern Verona Beach where swords are merely a brand of gun and bored youths are easily spurred toward violence. Longtime rivals in religion and business, the Montagues and the Capulets share a page from the Jets… More The classic Shakespearean romantic tragedy is updated by director Baz Luhrmann to a post-modern Verona Beach where swords are merely a brand of gun and bored youths are easily spurred toward violence. Longtime rivals in religion and business, the Montagues and the Capulets share a page from the Jets and Sharks of West Side Story when they form rival gangs. Romeo (Leonardo DiCaprio) is aloof toward the goings-on of his Montague cousins, but after he realizes that Juliet (Claire Danes) is a Capulet at the end of one very wild party, the enmity between the two clans becomes the root of his angst. He relies heavily -- and with serious consequences -- on his rebel gender-bender of a friend, Mercutio (Harold Perrineau Jr.), and Father (not Friar) Lawrence (Pete Postlethwaite) for protection and support. Romeo is, of course, exiled, and it looks like Juliet will be forced into an arranged marriage with the bland Paris (Paul Rudd). It ends, as Romeo and Juliet must, when Romeo hears a tragic piece of misinformation and brings his suicide wish to what was meant to be Juliet 's temporary tomb. This time, though, the turf and the weapon of choice have taken a turn toward the surreal. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 2 hr.
Directed By: Baz Luhrmann
Genres: Drama, Romance

In Theaters: Nov 1, 1996 Wide
On DVD: May 25, 1999
Studio: 20th Century Fox

Critic Reviews

Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
A slick blast of ''decadence,'' the kind of violent swank-trash music video that may make you feel like reaching for the remote control.
Todd McCarthy, Variety
Doesn't approach the emotional resonance of Franco Zeffirelli's immensely popular 1968 screen version.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
Where is the audience willing to watch a classic play thrown in the path of a subway train?
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Puts Shakespeare's greatest romance in a choke-hold and takes it slam-dancing.
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
A monumental disaster.
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
Luhrmann and his two bright angels have shaken up a 400-year-old play without losing its touching, poetic innocence.
Jason Best, Movie Talk
Luhrmann bombards us with startling images, audacious camera tricks and breathtaking action ... [in order to recreate] the overwhelming experience of adolescent love.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
Luhrmann would use the same techniques with better results in Moulin Rouge!
, Film4
A sexy, innovative and memorable sumptuous feast for eye and ear.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
It's a genuinely fresh take on an oft-told tale.
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
When the filmmakers decide to jazz it up with crazy camera angles and rapid cutting, along with screaming and shooting, it just gets lost.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Luhrmann's gleefully cinematic version of the play is so relentlessly inventive and innovative, it takes 20 minutes to get a grasp on how appropriate is his approach to the material.
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
Tries so hard to be hip that it loses the soul of the story.
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
Despite a flawed start, Romeo & Juliet proves the story deserves an adjective often attached to it: 'timeless.'
Jeanne Aufmuth, Palo Alto Weekly
A psychedelic assault on the senses; a trip of unparalleled originality.
Dragan Antulov, rec.arts.movies.reviews
Keeps the integrity of Shakespeare's text, but mostly thanks to the actors speaking the very same lines of iambic pentameter as written four centuries ago.
David Sterritt, Christian Science Monitor
The hyperactive movie seems goofy and gimmicky at first, but it acquires real power when the cinematography settles down enough for Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes to do some excellent acting, helped by a superb supporting cast.
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
It's just a little too jarring to be top notch, but it sure is powerful.
Margaret A. McGurk, Cincinnati Enquirer
An amazing feat of ambition and imagination.
Kevin N. Laforest, Montreal Film Journal
Deeply entertaining, from the gripping opening to the breath-taking finale.

Read all 21 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Liam G

A fresh, very enjoyable and engrosing adaptation of Shakespeare's classic play. DiCaprio and Danes are excellent.
Alexander D

To say the very least, ROMEO + JULIET is probably more brilliant and inventive than Shakespeare is himself. Set in a modern time period, this stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Romeo and Claire Danes as Juliet. Some of the aspects of this production tend to strike as humor: for example, if… More
To say the very least, ROMEO + JULIET is probably more brilliant and inventive than Shakespeare is himself. Set in a modern time period, this stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Romeo and Claire Danes as Juliet. Some of the aspects of this production tend to strike as humor: for example, if you look closely at Tybalt's gun during the brawl scene set on the beach, it has the word "dagger" (the object he used in the original Shakespeare text) written across it. Other aspects attempt to throw you off, such as near the end...I won't spoil that, as it is slightly different than the ending in the William Shakespeare text. Even if this needs to be slightly unfaithful in order to be modernized, it is a great film, and it is definitely worth seeing.
Melvin W

Romeo: Did my heart love 'til now? Forswear its sight. For I never saw true beauty 'til this night. "The Classic Love Story Set In Our Time" I found little enjoyment in this modern Romeo and Juliet. Its style was really annoying and left my head aching. This… More
Romeo: Did my heart love 'til now? Forswear its sight. For I never saw true beauty 'til this night. "The Classic Love Story Set In Our Time" I found little enjoyment in this modern Romeo and Juliet. Its style was really annoying and left my head aching. This movie boarders on unwatchable. Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio are okay, but they don't give amazing performances. Nothing about it worked. The film was way too busy and could have possibly worked if Luhrmann had went for a more subtle approach. I probably went into this with too high of expectations, which were completely crushed by the first 10 minutes of the movie. In a different directors hands, this could have possibly worked. In Luhrmann's, it is a complete mess and a waste of time.
Jennifer X

I don't usually like Baz Luhrmann's aesthetic (too noisy), but it just works here, alongside this improbable classic story with the cuh-razy Shakespearean dialogue. This is my favorite, favorite adaptation of the story: fairy lights, fireworks glittering in the night sky,… More
I don't usually like Baz Luhrmann's aesthetic (too noisy), but it just works here, alongside this improbable classic story with the cuh-razy Shakespearean dialogue. This is my favorite, favorite adaptation of the story: fairy lights, fireworks glittering in the night sky, multicolored California bleached to its rawest and most potent, Mercutio the fabulous drag queen, and Leo's beautiful beautiful face peering into the translucent aquarium (no wonder Claire Danes practically orgasms in the pool).
AJ V

When I first saw this movie I thought it was very interesting how they updated the story in such a unique way. Now that I'm older and have studied the theatre more, though, I don't like this movie as much. It seems to only have been a vehicle for Leo fans to romanticize… More
When I first saw this movie I thought it was very interesting how they updated the story in such a unique way. Now that I'm older and have studied the theatre more, though, I don't like this movie as much. It seems to only have been a vehicle for Leo fans to romanticize him. I guess it has a little of both.
Bethany M

Couldn't watch it all the way through! The fact that you don't understand what they're saying makes it difficult to watch!
Marc L

I'll admit that I enjoyed reading Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. It was cliche, but everything else about it was pretty good. That's why it really disappoints me when a Romeo and Juliet movie absolutley fails in every possible way. To this day, there has never been… More
I'll admit that I enjoyed reading Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. It was cliche, but everything else about it was pretty good. That's why it really disappoints me when a Romeo and Juliet movie absolutley fails in every possible way. To this day, there has never been a good Romeo and Juliet movie. Gnomeo and Juliet was horrible and the 1968 Romeo and Juliet remains one of the worst movies I've ever seen. However, this movie's not as bad. Why? Two words. John Leguizamo. His performance as Tybalt was one of the best villain performances I've ever seen. He was menacing, with a dark sense of humor and that nasty villain style. Reminded me of Bullseye in Daredevil. Harold Perrineau did a very good job to as Mercutio. My only regret was that he didnt get more screen time. But alas, even he couldn't save this god awful hell spawn. The rest of the actors were horrible. Leonardo DiCaprio was clearly not in his rhythym as Romeo. His performance flat out sucked, especially in the scene where he murders Tybalt. Claire Danes was even worse. She seemed way too dull to play Juliet. Also, Romeo + Juliet needs to shut up, literally. The film just throws scenes and explosions at us randomly. And the prologue? Down right laughable. Worse still, the movie speaks in old english. That's right, old english. I'm not even joking. Every line from the movie was taken right out of the Romeo and Juliet transcript. I'm not exactly sure why this movie got 70%. What I am sure of? It is bad. Very bad.
Brad W

I liked this a lot. Horribly stupid moments and taking out many scenes was only problem. Acting was great, and was worthy of Shakespeares work
Steven C

Baz Luhrmann's "Romeo + Juliet" is a vivd and memorable adaptation of William Shakespeare's play. While I can certainly understand the hatred of this film, I for one, really enjoy it. Visually, it's one of the most striking films to come out of the 90s;… More
Baz Luhrmann's "Romeo + Juliet" is a vivd and memorable adaptation of William Shakespeare's play. While I can certainly understand the hatred of this film, I for one, really enjoy it. Visually, it's one of the most striking films to come out of the 90s; capturing the dizzying feeling of being in love. Add Shakespeare's iconic dialogue, two wide eyed and natural performances from Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes and Luhrmann's intoxicating aesthetic and you have the recipe for a wholly original and thrilling picture that decidedly splits it's audience while updating and reinventing it's source.
MisterYoda ?

2 stars
KJ P

It's really good, but I was never really interested in Romeo and Juliet, and I think thats why I enjoyed this film. It takes the story to new heights and delivers dearly.
Conner R

It is laughable at how incredibly horrible this film is. Had this been made as a farce, maybe I could see it as a decent attempt. It mocks Shakespeare without even trying to. Everything looks ridiculous and the performances match it as well. West Side Story already tried to modernize… More
It is laughable at how incredibly horrible this film is. Had this been made as a farce, maybe I could see it as a decent attempt. It mocks Shakespeare without even trying to. Everything looks ridiculous and the performances match it as well. West Side Story already tried to modernize the story, so I don't see the point in trying to do it here. It could've been a decent movie if they made it a period piece, but that would make sense. Something that doesn't compute with Baz Luhrmann.
Film C

i ahted this adaptation of this movie i dont like it i found it boring long and drawn out and just didnt cut it for me!
Anthony L

This modern version of Shakespeare?s classic tale of love is so very nearly perfect. It just has one problem, and it?s quite a big one. Leonardo Dicappuccino. He's awful!
Thomas B

WOO! luhrmann is awesome
Julie B

I think Harold Perrineau is one of the best Mercutios I've ever seen.
Cassie H

Ok but not as good as I thought it was going to be.
Jennifer D

Fantastic concept!!
Morgan S

SOOOOO BAZZ!!!
Bobby H

This movie was great. Leonardo DiCaprio ruled the show as always and Clare Danes did not do so bad herself. I loved the fact that they were able to bring a movie from past-time to life in modern-times. It's a good way to get teens and kids of today to really pay attention to an… More
This movie was great. Leonardo DiCaprio ruled the show as always and Clare Danes did not do so bad herself. I loved the fact that they were able to bring a movie from past-time to life in modern-times. It's a good way to get teens and kids of today to really pay attention to an amazing tale of Shakespeare. The problem is as good as it is - it does kind of make the original dumb at parts and turn it into more of a comedy when it shouldnt have been. It's was well thought but not quite up to parr with first Romeo and Juliet to come on screen.