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Howards End

Howards End

Based on the Novel by E.M. Forster

1992142 minPGMidcredits score: 91st percentile of all films
Director
James Ivory
Starring
Emma Thompson, Helena Bonham Carter, Anthony Hopkins, Samuel West

A saga of class relations and changing times in an Edwardian England on the brink of modernity, the film centers on liberal Margaret Schlegel, who, along with her sister Helen, becomes involved with two couples: wealthy, conservative industrialist Henry Wilcox and his wife Ruth, and the downwardly mobile working-class Leonard Bast and his mistress Jackie.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Howards End?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Howards End streaming on Cohen Media Channel via Prime Video and Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Howards End?

Howards End earns 10 badges, led by Oscar Winner and Top 10% of films.

Show 2 more
  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Content
  • Cast

Reception

Is Howards End worth watching?

Howards End's Midcredits score is the 91st percentile of all films, from 72K ratings across 6 sources. 78% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

91st percentile

Better received than 91% of films

92nd percentile among Drama92nd percentile among 1990s
Acclaim (how much people like it)90th
Approval (how many liked it)88th

74 /100

90th percentile of all films

92nd percentile among Drama92nd percentile among 1990s

Critics 88 · Audience 73

Critics liked it more than audiences did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.4 — solid but not unanimous.

78% liked it

88th percentile of all films

90th percentile among Drama89th percentile among 1990s
78% rated it 7–1022% rated it 1–6

Critics 94% · Audience 81%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

3 Oscars won · 6 Oscar noms · 30 wins / 46 noms overall

  • WonAcademy Awards· Best Actress in a Leading Role
  • WonAcademy Awards· Best Art Direction-Set Decoration

93rd percentile

72K ratings across platforms

94th percentile among Drama90th percentile among 1990s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 13% in 30 days

Box office

Opening weekend$53K
Domestic gross$26M
Worldwide gross$26M

91st percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps acknowledge the film's strong performances and beautiful period aesthetic

Fans praised

  • Ensemble cast brilliance, especially Thompson, Hopkins, Bonham Carter
  • Lavish period detail, cinematography, and production design
  • Faithful, thoughtful adaptation capturing class and character nuances

Detractors panned

  • Slow, boring pacing and lack of engaging drama
  • Dry, overly proper screenplay lacking wit and energy
  • Story feels inconsequential and uninvolving

What stands out

ActingDivisive90

Stellar cast, especially Thompson and Hopkins, brings characters to life

CinematographyDivisive85

Exquisite visuals, beautiful period recreation

AtmosphereDivisive80

Immersive period atmosphere, lived-in quality

CharactersDivisive75

Richly drawn, but some find them dry and lacking range

Plot and storyDivisive70

Faithful to novel but criticized as episodic and lacking cohesion

OriginalityDivisive65

Classic adaptation, but noted for being formulaic period piece

Emotional impactDivisive60

Moving for some, but uninvolving for others

PacingDivisive45

Often cited as slow, boring, and overlong

Preferred by

Under-30s vs over-30s

Preferred by Over-30s

Over-30s scored it 10 points higher than under-30s.

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

  • Women vs men 3 points apart
  • Critics vs users 6 points apart
  • US vs non-US 2 points apart

Watch experience

What is Howards End like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Quiet and reflective: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are in a patient, quiet mood.

It is gentle, takes its time and leaves you bittersweet. Skip it when you want things to move fast.

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

What it asks of you

Patience.

What it feels like

Quiet and reflective.

Moods
MelancholicBittersweetContemplative
Heaviest: late
Register
Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.Tender · 13% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its Edwardian society and characters with gravity and empathy, never undercutting the drama.
The rideThe film builds quiet emotional pressure through social constraint, with its heaviest emotional weight in the final act as consequences converge.
StructureThe story unfolds chronologically from the initial encounter at Howards End through the wedding and final resolution, following a standard three-act structure.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Bittersweet.

BittersweetHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayThe film's conclusion leaves a complex mix of loss and renewal, with the house passing to a new generation and a sense of continuity.
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-driven social drama about class and personal relationships rather than fitting a defined plot 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 filmsSelfIdentitySelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): 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% (this title) · 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% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Identity · 14% of filmsClass · 3% of filmsFamily bonds
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores how class, property, and family expectations shape and constrain who each character is allowed to become.
StanceThe film questions whether personal identity can survive within the rigid codes of class and property without explicitly celebrating or condemning any character's choices.

The world

Early 20th centuryDomesticRuralRealistic
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · original score · Richard Robbins
SettingEdwardian England: country estates and London townhouses
MusicRobbins' score uses period-appropriate orchestral textures that underscore the film's emotional restraint and class tensions.

Content guide

Is Howards End okay for kids?

PG

Howards End is rated PG: “Rated PG for mild language, violence and sensuality” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at minimal (13/100), sexual content at minimal (14/100), language at minimal (2/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (28/100) and frightening material at mild (21/100). Overall it is heavier than 7% of PG-rated films.

Ratings in 9 other countries
  • UKPG
  • CanadaPG
  • Germany6
  • FranceTP
  • South Korea15
  • Czechia12+
  • Netherlands14
  • Spain12
  • Sweden11
Overall
Mild · all five categories
Heavier than 2% of all filmsHeavier than 7% of PG-rated films
Violence & Gore
None / Minimal
light for a PG-rated film
heavier than 12%
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 27%
Profanity
None / Minimal
light for a PG-rated film
heavier than 3%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 54%
Frightening / Intense
Mild
light for a PG-rated film
heavier than 18%

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

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is drug and alcohol content, heavier than 54% of PG-rated films.

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 Howards End have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Howards End?

Cast

1 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor; Emma Thompson won the Oscar for this film.

Emma Thompson
as Margaret Schlegel
Oscar win: Academy Award — Best Actress in a Leading RoleTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Helena Bonham Carter
as Helen Schlegel
BAFTA nominee: BAFTA Award nomination — Best Actress in a Supporting RoleTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Anthony Hopkins
as Henry Wilcox
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Samuel West
as Leonard Bast
BAFTA nominee: BAFTA Award nomination — Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Vanessa Redgrave
as Ruth Wilcox
Oscar nominee: Academy Award nomination — Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Adrian Ross Magenty
as Tibby Schlegel
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Prunella Scales
as Aunt Juley
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.
James Wilby
as Charles Wilcox
Joseph Bennett
as Paul Wilcox
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Jo Kendall
as Annie
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Howards End?

Movies like Howards End include The Remains of the Day (1993), Maurice (1987) and Surviving Picasso (1996). Of the 12 closest matches, several are films by James Ivory, and most are period dramas.

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

10 of these 12 share its world: high society. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Howards End?

3.5K other films share the rarest tag below, relationship: sibling bond. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.