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The Big Lebowski

The Big Lebowski

Times like these call for a Big Lebowski.

1998117 minRMidcredits score: 98th percentile of all films
Directors
Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Starring
Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi

Jeffrey 'The Dude' Lebowski, a Los Angeles slacker who only wants to bowl and drink White Russians, is mistaken for another Jeffrey Lebowski, a wheelchair-bound millionaire, and finds himself dragged into a strange series of events involving nihilists, adult film producers, ferrets, errant toes, and large sums of money.

Where to watch

Where can I watch The Big Lebowski?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists The Big Lebowski streaming on Pluto TV (free) and to rent or buy on Apple TV.

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Highlights

What stands out about The Big Lebowski?

The Big Lebowski earns 13 badges, led by Top 1% in Comedy and Stood the test of time.

Show 5 more
  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is The Big Lebowski worth watching?

The Big Lebowski's Midcredits score is the 98th percentile of all films, from 2.3M ratings across 6 sources. 87% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

98th percentile

Better received than 98% of films

99th percentile among Comedy98th percentile among 1990s
Acclaim (how much people like it)97th
Approval (how many liked it)96th

80 /100

97th percentile of all films

98th percentile among Comedy98th percentile among 1990s

Critics 71 · Audience 81

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

Ratings pile up at 9–10 with almost no detractors — near-universal love.

87% liked it

96th percentile of all films

98th percentile among Comedy97th percentile among 1990s
87% rated it 7–1013% rated it 1–6

Critics 79% · Audience 93%

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

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 7 wins / 17 noms overall

99th percentile

2.3M ratings across platforms

99th percentile among Comedy99th percentile among 1990s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 12% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$15M
Opening weekend$5.5M
Domestic gross$19M
Worldwide gross$48M

Returned 3.2× its budget — 90th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A bizarre, meandering, and eccentric mix of genres and characters that relies completely on the Coen brothers' quirky style.

Fans praised

  • Genius casting and career-best performances, with Jeff Bridges and John Goodman as standouts
  • Wildly quotable, endlessly rewatchable dialogue that rewards multiple viewings
  • Unique, inventive blend of Coen style, surreal set pieces, and visionary filmmaking

Detractors panned

  • Pointless, meandering plot with no real narrative or payoff
  • Comedy doesn't land, and the constant profanity is an irritating substitute for wit
  • Weird for the sake of weird, with irritating and flavorless characters

What stands out

DialogueDivisive95

Extremely quotable and witty, but detractors find it repetitive and profane

ActingDivisive90

Bridges and Goodman are iconic; supporting cast is perfect in their roles

CharactersDivisive90

Idiosyncratic, memorable, and well-developed even in tiny parts

OriginalityDivisive90

Genre-bending, highly unique and inventive, though some find it simply 'weird for the sake of being weird'

HumorDivisive85

Hilarious to fans but constantly misses for detractors

CinematographyDivisive75

Deakins' work is lauded for its beauty and visual flair, especially the dream sequences

Pacing45

Slow, ambling pace that some find a perfect fit for the vibe, others find boring

Plot and story35

Convoluted, intentionally meandering, and pointless to many, but viewed as a feature by some fans

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 12 points higher than women.

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

  • Under-30s vs over-30s 7 points apart
  • Critics vs users 2 points apart
  • US vs non-US 1 point apart

Watch experience

What is The Big Lebowski like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Easy laugh: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something light that makes you laugh and does not take itself seriously.

It is gentle and leaves you entertained. Skip it when you want every question answered.

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

What it asks of you

A taste for open questions.

What it feels like

Easy laugh.

Moods
AbsurdMelancholic
Heaviest: middle
Absurdist humor: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Register
Absurdist · 7% of films: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.Wry · 7% of films: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.Frame story · 5% of films: A story told inside another — someone is recounting it.
ToneThe film treats its absurd LA noir plot with a deadpan, wry attitude, never winking at the audience.
The rideThe film maintains a loose, absurdist groove with occasional spikes of absurd violence; the middle stretch—the Dude's abduction and the caper—carries the most chaotic pressure.
StructureThe story is framed by The Stranger's narration and follows a linear three-act structure.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

FunFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you grinning and ready to rewatch, with its laid-back vibe and hilarious absurdities.
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% · Comedy of errors 3% (this title) · 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. · Comedy of errors: Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.

11% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeMistaken identity sets off a convoluted chain of events involving a fake kidnapping and various underworld figures.

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% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% (this title) · 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% (this title) · 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

Identity · 14% of filmsFriendship · 9% of filmsPower · 2% of films
Satirizes its theme: Attacks its theme through ridicule.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe Dude's passive, principled refusal to be defined by the world's schemes is tested through a mistaken-identity plot, while his bowling crew embodies a defiantly unambitious friendship.
StanceThe film satirizes the Dude's laissez-faire identity and the world's attempts to impose order on him, mocking both the counterculture's passivity and the powerful figures who move against him.

The world

Late 20th centuryUrbanDomesticStylized realism
FolkRockAmbientSupportive music · hybrid · Carter Burwell
Setting1990s Los Angeles—bowling alleys, rundown apartments, and wealthy estates
MusicBurwell's languid, dreamlike score (especially 'The Dude Abides') anchors the film's relaxed, whimsical tone, punctuated by licensed tracks like 'The Man in Me' by Bob Dylan.

Content guide

Is The Big Lebowski okay for kids?

R

The Big Lebowski is rated R: “Rated R for pervasive strong language, drug content, sexuality and brief violence” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (46/100), sexual content at intense (68/100), language at severe (89/100), drug and alcohol content at intense (68/100) and frightening material at mild (35/100). Overall it is heavier than 65% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 25 other countries
  • UK18
  • Canada18A
  • AustraliaMA 15+
  • Germany12
  • France12
  • Ireland18
  • South Korea19
  • Brazil14
  • Belgium18
  • Czechia12+
  • Denmark15
  • FinlandK-16
  • Greece16
  • Hungary18
  • ItalyT
  • LTN-18
  • Netherlands12
  • Norway15
  • Poland18
  • PortugalM/12
  • RO18
  • Russia18+
  • Spain12
  • Sweden15
  • Switzerland12
Overall
Intense · all five categories
Heavier than 79% of all filmsHeavier than 65% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
Moderate
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 25%
Sex & Nudity
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 85%
Profanity
Severe
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 90%
Alcohol & Drugs
Intense
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 86%
Frightening / Intense
Mild
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 18%

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

The reason to think twice is language, sexual content, and drug and alcohol content. Everything else sits at or below what R-rated films usually carry.

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 The Big Lebowski have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in The Big Lebowski?

Cast

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

Jeff Bridges
as The Dude
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
John Goodman
as Walter Sobchak
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.
Julianne Moore
as Maude Lebowski
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Steve Buscemi
as Donny
David Huddleston
as The Big Lebowski
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.
Philip Seymour Hoffman
as Brandt
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Tara Reid
as Bunny Lebowski
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Philip Moon
as Treehorn Thug #1
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.
Mark Pellegrino
as Treehorn Thug #2
Peter Stormare
as Nihilist #1

Crew

More like this

What are movies like The Big Lebowski?

Movies like The Big Lebowski include The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009), Friday (1995) and Drive-Away Dolls (2024). Of the 12 closest matches, several are films by Joel Coen, and most are buddy comedies.

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

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with The Big Lebowski?

742 other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: hangout movie. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.