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Celebrity

Celebrity

A funny look at people who will do anything to get famous... or stay famous.

1998113 minRMidcredits score: 46th percentile of all films
Director
Woody Allen
Starring
Hank Azaria, Kenneth Branagh, Judy Davis, Leonardo DiCaprio

The career and personal life of writer Lee are at a standstill, so he divorces his bashful wife, Robin, and dives into a new job as an entertainment journalist. His assignments take him to the swankiest corners of Manhattan, but as he jumps from one lavish party to another and engages in numerous empty romances, he starts to doubt the worth of his work. Meanwhile, top TV producer Tony falls for Robin and introduces her to the world of celebrity.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Celebrity?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Celebrity streaming on Pluto TV (free), Prime Video, The Roku Channel (free) and Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Celebrity?

Celebrity earns 9 badges, led by Guilty pleasure and Award Winner.

Show 1 more
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Celebrity worth watching?

Celebrity's Midcredits score is the 46th percentile of all films, from 51K ratings across 6 sources. 48% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

46th percentile

Better received than 46% of films

52nd percentile among Comedy49th percentile among 1990s
Acclaim (how much people like it)43rd
Approval (how many liked it)49th

60 /100

43rd percentile of all films

49th percentile among Comedy47th percentile among 1990s

Critics 42 · Audience 61

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.3 — solid but not unanimous.

48% liked it

49th percentile of all films

55th percentile among Comedy52nd percentile among 1990s
48% rated it 7–1052% rated it 1–6

Critics 43% · Audience 42%

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences approve at similar rates.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 1 wins / 4 noms overall

90th percentile

51K ratings across platforms

90th percentile among Comedy86th percentile among 1990s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 78% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$12M
Opening weekend$1.6M
Domestic gross$5.1M
Worldwide gross$5.1M

Returned 0.4× its budget — 64th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

The film is a Woody Allen satire of fame and celebrity, with Kenneth Branagh channelling Allen's neurotic persona, but opinions vary on whether that imitation and the episodic structure work.

Fans praised

  • Branagh's dead-on Woody Allen mannerisms
  • Biting satire of celebrity culture
  • Judy Davis's standout performance

Detractors panned

  • Branagh's imitation as pale and irritating
  • Meandering, episodic plot
  • Thin, inconsequential satire

What stands out

DialogueDivisive70

Typical Allen wit, some laugh-out-loud lines; detractors find hackneyed

HumorDivisive70

Allen's trademark wit and satirical jabs; fans delighted, detractors unamused

ActingDivisive65

Branagh's Allen imitation polarizes; Judy Davis praised by fans

AtmosphereDivisive65

New York celebrity world captured; some find it stale

CharactersDivisive60

Neurotic, self-absorbed celebs; Davis's character commended

OriginalityDivisive60

Satire of fame feels familiar, but sharp in places

Plot and storyDivisive45

Episodic, meandering structure; some call it thin

Pacing40

Meandering and overlong, episodic feel

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 15 points higher than women.

Under-30s vs over-30s

Preferred by Over-30s

Over-30s scored it 11 points higher than under-30s.

US vs non-US

Preferred by Non-US Viewers

Non-US viewers scored it 20 points higher than US viewers.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Critics vs users 2 points apart

Watch experience

What is Celebrity like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

No single mood: browse every movie of this kindNo one kind of watch fits it, so it is described by how heavy it is.

Watch this when you want something light and easy.

It has a few laughs and leaves you thinking. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Moods
ContemplativeBittersweetAbsurd
Heaviest: middle
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Satirical · 5% of filmsWry · 7% of films: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Told as
Episodic · 13% of films: Loosely connected incidents rather than one driving plot.Multiple perspectives · 2% of films: The same events retold from different characters' points of view.
ToneThe film observes its characters with a satirical but affectionate eye, never fully mocking them.
The rideThe divergent paths after divorce likely present moments of reflection, mixed emotions, and some absurd encounters in the celebrity world.
StructureThe film follows Lee's episodic encounters with celebrities while cross-cutting with Robin's parallel rise in television.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Thinking.

Thought-provokingWistful · 8% of films
Why it leaves you this wayLeaves the viewer reflecting on the emptiness of celebrity and the contrasting fortunes of the ex-couple.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22% (this title)

No archetype fits — true of 22% of films: ensemble pieces, satire, slice-of-life.

Why this archetypeThe film is a character study of a divorced couple with parallel storylines; it lacks a single driving archetype.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfMarriageBonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% (this title) · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% (this title) · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% (this title) · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Marriage · 2% of filmsFame · 3% of filmsIdentity · 14% of films
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe film examines how divorce reshapes each partner's life and sense of self, set against the seductive and corrosive pull of celebrity.
StanceThe film presents the successes and failures of both ex-spouses without obvious judgment, observing the impact of divorce and fame.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanRealistic
JazzOrchestral classicalSupportive music · original score
SettingNew York City's celebrity and media circles in the late 1990s

Content guide

Is Celebrity okay for kids?

R

Celebrity is rated R: “Rated R for language, sex and some drug use” (MPAA). As of September 28, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (39/100), sexual content at moderate (47/100), language at moderate (56/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (58/100) and frightening material at minimal (8/100). Its violence, language, drug and alcohol content and frightening material have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 6 other countries
  • Germany12
  • FranceU
  • Brazil18
  • Czechia15+
  • Netherlands16
  • Spain16
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Moderate
too few votes to rank (6 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 47%
Profanity
Moderate
too few votes to rank (6 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
too few votes to rank (4 votes)
Frightening / Intense
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (4 votes)

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Too few votes to rank this title overall (35 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Celebrity have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Celebrity?

Cast

2 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Hank Azaria
as David
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Kenneth Branagh
as Lee Simon
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Judy Davis
as Robin Simon
Leonardo DiCaprio
as Brandon Darrow
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Melanie Griffith
as Nicole Oliver
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Famke Janssen
as Bonnie
newcomer then · star now
Michael Lerner
as Dr. Lupus
Joe Mantegna
as Tony Gardella
Bebe Neuwirth
as Nina - the Hooker
Winona Ryder
as Nola
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Celebrity?

Movies like Celebrity include Husbands and Wives (1992), Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989) and Annie Hall (1977). Of the 12 closest matches, most are films produced by Charles H. Joffe, and most are films set in New York.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

Woody Allen directed 11 of these 12. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Celebrity?

1.8K other films share the rarest tag below, follows: journalist. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.