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Kate & Leopold

Kate & Leopold

If they lived in the same century, they'd be perfect for each other.

2001118 minPG-13Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films
Director
James Mangold
Starring
Meg Ryan, Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Breckin Meyer

When her scientist ex-boyfriend discovers a portal to travel through time -- and brings back a 19th-century nobleman named Leopold to prove it -- a skeptical Kate reluctantly takes responsibility for showing Leopold the 21st century. The more time Kate spends with Leopold, the harder she falls for him. But if he doesn't return to his own time, his absence will forever alter history.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Kate & Leopold?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Kate & Leopold streaming on Pluto TV (free) and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

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Highlights

What stands out about Kate & Leopold?

Kate & Leopold earns 6 badges, led by Guilty pleasure and Crowd Pleaser.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Content

Reception

Is Kate & Leopold worth watching?

Kate & Leopold's Midcredits score is the 55th percentile of all films, from 178K ratings across 6 sources. 53% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

55th percentile

Better received than 55% of films

62nd percentile among Comedy52nd percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)52nd
Approval (how many liked it)56th

62 /100

52nd percentile of all films

60th percentile among Comedy52nd percentile among 2000s

Critics 44 · Audience 64

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.6 — solid but not unanimous.

53% liked it

56th percentile of all films

63rd percentile among Comedy54th percentile among 2000s
53% rated it 7–1047% rated it 1–6

Critics 52% · Audience 62%

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

Awards

0 Oscars won · 1 Oscar noms · 1 wins / 5 noms overall

  • NominatedAcademy Awards· Best Music, Original Song
  • WonGolden Globes· Best Original Song - Motion Picture

96th percentile

178K ratings across platforms

97th percentile among Comedy93rd percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 26% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$48M
Opening weekend$9.7M
Domestic gross$47M
Worldwide gross$76M

Returned 1.6× its budget — 93rd percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Hugh Jackman's performance as a charming gentleman from the past is the film's strongest asset, while the time-travel premise is silly and the romance predictable.

Fans praised

  • Hugh Jackman's charming/charismatic performance as Leopold
  • Sweet, feel-good romance with old-fashioned chivalry
  • Light, entertaining escapist fantasy

Detractors panned

  • Meg Ryan's grating/one-note performance and unappealing character
  • Kate's illogical decision to abandon her career for a man she barely knows
  • Contrived plot holes and lazy time-travel mechanics

What stands out

ActingDivisive65

Jackman's charisma praised, Ryan's performance divisive/criticized as same schtick

Emotional impactDivisive50

Fans find it heartwarming, detractors say romance forced/unearned

CharactersDivisive45

Leopold charming fish-out-of-water, Kate bland/annoying career woman

HumorDivisive45

Fish-out-of-water comedy and Breckin Meyer's scenes land, but often flat

DialogueDivisive45

Some witty exchanges but often flat; anachronistic historical references noted

EndingDivisive40

Predictable fairy-tale resolution; detractors find it unsatisfying/regressive

Plot and storyDivisive35

Predictable rom-com formula, time-travel logic full of holes

OriginalityDivisive35

Derivative time-travel rom-com; fish-out-of-water concept tired

Preferred by

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

  • Women vs men 2 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 4 points apart
  • Critics vs users even
  • US vs non-US 5 points apart

Watch experience

What is Kate & Leopold like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Romantic: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are in the mood for a love story.

It has a few laughs and leaves you feeling good.

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

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Romantic.

The answer rests on this: Moods
RomanticWarm
Heaviest: late
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Romantic · 8% of filmsWarm
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its romantic fantasy straight, with a warm and whimsical tone that never undercuts the sincerity of the love story.
The rideThe film maintains a light romantic warmth for most of its runtime, with the emotional weight concentrating in the final act as Kate makes her choice and the lovers part across time.
StructureConventional three-act structure with a clear setup, conflict, and resolution.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

Feel-goodFun
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you with a warm, happy feeling, believing in love across time.
How it ends · evidence
Happy 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).Comedy
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% (this title): Romantic comedy 4% (this title) · 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%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Romantic comedy: Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.

11% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeThe film follows the classic romantic comedy structure: a mismatched couple from different worlds meet, clash, and fall in love, using time travel as the device to bring them together.

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 filmsSelfRomanticlove
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% (this title) · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% (this title) · Ambition 7% (this title) · 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% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Romantic love · 15% of filmsSelf-worth · 7% of filmsAmbition · 7% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe film centers on love that transcends time and social norms, but it also explores Kate's self-worth versus her career ambitions and Leopold's struggle to find meaning in a world that dismisses him.
StanceThe film is fundamentally celebratory about romantic love: it posits that true love is worth sacrificing career, status, and one's own time, and it endorses that choice wholeheartedly.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticRealistic
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · original score · Rolfe Kent
SettingModern-day Manhattan, with Leopold's 1876 origins contrasted against the 21st-century cityscape
MusicThe score carries a sweeping, romantic orchestral warmth that underscores the trans-temporal love story.

Content guide

Is Kate & Leopold okay for kids?

PG-13

Kate & Leopold is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for brief strong language” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at minimal (7/100), sexual content at minimal (6/100), language at moderate (42/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (29/100) and frightening material at mild (16/100). Overall it is heavier than 6% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 13 other countries
  • UK12
  • Germany0
  • FranceU
  • Ireland12
  • South KoreaAll
  • BrazilL
  • AustriaAA
  • CzechiaU
  • Hungary12
  • NetherlandsAL
  • PortugalM/12
  • Sweden7
  • Switzerland0
Overall
Mild · all five categories
Heavier than 8% of all filmsHeavier than 6% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 6%
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 4%
Profanity
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 51%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 38%
Frightening / Intense
Mild
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 16%

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

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is language, heavier than 51% of PG-13-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 Kate & Leopold have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Kate & Leopold?

Cast

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

Meg Ryan
as Kate McKay
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.
Hugh Jackman
as Leopold
Globe nominee: Golden Globe nomination — Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or MusicalTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Liev Schreiber
as Stuart Besser
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Breckin Meyer
as Charlie McKay
Natasha Lyonne
as Darci
Bradley Whitford
as J.J. Camden
Paxton Whitehead
as Uncle Millard
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.
Spalding Gray
as Dr. Geisler
Josh Stamberg
as Colleague Bob
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Matthew Sussman
as Ad Executive Phil
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 Kate & Leopold?

Movies like Kate & Leopold include Knight and Day (2010), When in Rome (2010) and Trainwreck (2015). Of the 12 closest matches, most are whirlwind romances, and several are films about corporate life.

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

All 12 share its subject: romantic love. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Kate & Leopold?

458 other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: time travel. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.