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Love Birds

Love Birds

When it comes to love, sometimes all you need is a little duck.

2011103 minPG-13Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films
Director
Paul Murphy
Starring
Rhys Darby, Sally Hawkins, Craig Hall, Bryan Brown

Sometimes the best things in life happen on the fly. From the moment an injured duck crash-lands on Doug's roof, everything changes. Recently dumped and wallowing in self pity, Doug decides to nurse Pierre back to health with the assistance of an eccentric vet and bird specialist, Holly.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Love Birds?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Love Birds streaming on Pluto TV (free), Prime Video 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 Love Birds?

Love Birds earns 2 badges, led by Award Winner and Feel-good.

  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Love Birds worth watching?

Love Birds' Midcredits score is the 46th percentile of all films, from 3.8K ratings across 4 sources. 46% 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 Comedy46th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)46th
Approval (how many liked it)46th

60 /100

46th percentile of all films

53rd percentile among Comedy47th percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

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

46% liked it

46th percentile of all films

52nd percentile among Comedy46th percentile among 2010s
46% rated it 7–1054% rated it 1–6

Awards

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

Reach

How many have seen it

60th percentile

3.8K ratings across platforms

54th percentile among Comedy63rd percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 18% in 30 days

Box office

Worldwide gross$478K

36th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A gentle, predictable romantic comedy anchored by Rhys Darby's charm and a cute duck, with a pleasant but unremarkable plot.

Fans praised

  • Rhys Darby's warm, lovable comic presence carries the film
  • A sweet, feel-good story with a genuinely endearing duck
  • Strong supporting cast including Sally Hawkins and Bryan Brown

Detractors panned

  • Slow pacing and predictable, cliché romantic comedy plot
  • Forced attempts at humor with little payoff
  • Underwhelming compared to similar animal comedies

What stands out

Sound and musicDivisive80

Queen soundtrack is a highlight, especially the finale

ActingDivisive78

Rhys Darby's charm, Sally Hawkins' warmth, Bryan Brown's support

CharactersDivisive65

Lovable leads, cute duck sidekick, but thin supporting roles

Emotional impactDivisive65

Warm and sweet, with some touching moments

HumorDivisive55

Light laughs from Darby and duck moments, but not hilarious

Plot and story45

Familiar boy-loses-girl cliché with predictable turns

Originality40

Derivative romantic comedy formula with a duck gimmick

Pacing40

Slow-paced, especially in the middle

Preferred by

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

  • Women vs men 7 points apart
  • US vs non-US 7 points apart

Watch experience

What is Love Birds like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something warm that leaves you smiling.

It is gentle, takes its time and leaves you feeling good. 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

Feel-good.

Moods
WarmHopefulJoyful
Heaviest: throughout
Warm humor
Register
WarmPlayful
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its gentle story with sincere warmth, never winking at the audience or undercutting its romantic and comedic moments.
The rideThe film maintains a consistently light, feel-good register from start to finish, with no major mood swings, and all reviews confirm a gentle, pleasant emotional ride.
StructureThe story follows a linear, beginning-middle-end structure without any narrative experimentation.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

The answer rests on this: Feel-goodHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves the viewer with a warm, uplifted feeling and a sense that life can turn around.
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).Rebirth
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% (this title): Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2% (this title)
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Rebirth: A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed. · Second chance: A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).

13% of films fit this archetype

with Comedy underneath

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeA romantic rebirth story where a stagnant man finds purpose and love through caring for an injured duck, with a conventional romantic comedy structure.

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 filmsSelfPurposeSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% (this title) · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% (this title) · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% (this title) · 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%

Self

Purpose · 9% of filmsRomantic love · 15% of filmsSelf-worth · 7% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeAfter being dumped for lacking drive, Doug finds a new sense of purpose by caring for an injured duck, which rebuilds his self-worth and opens the door to love.
StanceThe film centres entirely on Doug's personal growth, and the synopsis and reviews affirm a celebratory stance toward finding purpose and love through kindness and self-belief.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanSuburbanRealistic
Orchestral modernPopSupportive music · hybrid · Plan 9
Settingcontemporary New Zealand, with Doug's home and workplace, a veterinary clinic, and family excursions
MusicThe soundtrack features several classic Queen songs, including a moment described as a 'Queen video' at the end, which contributes to the film's upbeat and quirky tone.

Content guide

Is Love Birds okay for kids?

PG-13

Love Birds is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for some language” (MPAA). As of August 31, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its sexual content at minimal (0/100). It has too few votes to rank yet.

Ratings in 1 other country
  • Germany12
Overall
needs 3 or more scored categories
not ranked
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (1 vote)

Overall standing needs at least three scored categories; this title has 1.

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 Love Birds have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Love Birds?

Cast

2 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen.

Rhys Darby
as Doug
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Sally Hawkins
as Holly
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Craig Hall
as Craig Watson
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Bryan Brown
as Dr. Buster
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Faye Smythe
as Susan
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Mia Pistorius
as Amanda
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Emily Barclay
as Brenda
David Fane
as Kanga
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Alvin Maharaj
as Gurneesh
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Wesley Dowdell
as Brent
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.

Crew

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What are movies like Love Birds?

Movies like Love Birds include Falling Inn Love (2019), Zookeeper (2011) and Murphy's Romance (1985). Of the 12 closest matches, most are friends-to-lovers stories, and several are second-chance stories.

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

5 of these 12 share its feel: playful. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Love Birds?

813 other films share the rarest tag below, relationship: animal companion. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.