Romeo + Juliet
"My only love sprung from my only hate."
Baz Luhrmann relocates Shakespeare's tragedy to a sun drenched urban shore town where the long running feud between the Montagues and Capulets erupts amid neon lights and glossy cars. Romeo and Juliet meet at a party, feel an instant spark, and decide to wed despite the danger surrounding them.... Read more
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Streaming availability last verified: January 29, 2026
About Romeo + Juliet
Baz Luhrmann relocates Shakespeare's tragedy to a sun drenched urban shore town where the long running feud between the Montagues and Capulets erupts amid neon lights and glossy cars. Romeo and Juliet meet at a party, feel an instant spark, and decide to wed despite the danger surrounding them. The film keeps the Bard's verse but presents it in a brisk, contemporary rhythm that fits the era's energy. The lovers marry in secret with the help of a loyal priest and a devoted nurse, mounting a private rebellion against their families. The visuals amplify emotion and danger, turning a timeless romance into a feverish, modern fable that honors the original text while inviting a new audience to feel its pulse.
Released in 1996 and directed by Baz Luhrmann, this film reimagines William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet as a sun drenched urban tragedy. It uses the original verse, with Craig Pearce co writing the screenplay and a bold, kinetic style today.
Box office information is not provided in the available data, so a precise worldwide gross cannot be stated here. The film opened in theaters around the world and its distinctive style helped it become a defining entry in Luhrmann's filmography.
Romeo plus Juliet is widely cited for its neon 1990s aesthetic, fast cutting, and the way it makes Shakespeare feel urgently relevant. Its bold fusion of pop soundtrack and period poetry influenced later adaptations and remains a reference point for risky, creative takes on classic texts, leaving a lasting impression.
Critics praised the film's audacious styling, performances by Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes, and a brisk energy that keeps the tragedy emotionally charged. Some reviewers felt the modern frame overshadowed the verse, while others saw love, fate, and family loyalty as timeless themes, across many generations now for global audiences.
What Viewers Are Saying
Viewers appreciate Baz Luhrmann's modern and visually striking adaptation of Shakespeare's "Romeo + Juliet," highlighting the contemporary setting and soundtrack that bring a fresh energy to the classic tragedy. Leonardo DiCaprio's performance is generally praised, though some feel it is one of his weaker roles. However, some audiences find the combination of modern visuals with Shakespearean language jarring and difficult to connect with, leading to a mixed reception on the film’s stylistic choices. Overall, the film is recommended for its bold approach, despite some viewers’ reservations.
Details
- Release Date
- November 01, 1996
- Runtime
- 2h
- Rating
- PG-13
- User Ratings
- 5,241 votes
- Type
- Movie
- Genres
- Drama, Romance
- Country
- Australia
- Studio
- 20th Century Fox +1 more
- Budget
- $14,500,000
- Box Office
- $147,298,761
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Official Trailer
Cast
Leonardo DiCaprio
Romeo
Claire Danes
Juliet
Jesse Bradford
Balthasar
Vondie Curtis-Hall
Captain Prince
Brian Dennehy
Ted Montague
John Leguizamo
Tybalt
Miriam Margolyes
Nurse
Harold Perrineau
Mercutio
Christina Pickles
Caroline Montague
Pete Postlethwaite
Father Laurence
Written by: Craig Pearce, Baz Luhrmann, William Shakespeare