Yesterday
"Everyone in the world has forgotten The Beatles. Everyone except Jackā¦"
On a side street in Britain, a struggling singer named Jack Malik locks himself in a small room to chase a dream that keeps slipping away. After a sudden blackout, he discovers the world has no memory of The Beatles and no one else seems to recall their songs. He starts playing their catalog as... Read more
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Streaming availability last verified: January 30, 2026
About Yesterday
On a side street in Britain, a struggling singer named Jack Malik locks himself in a small room to chase a dream that keeps slipping away. After a sudden blackout, he discovers the world has no memory of The Beatles and no one else seems to recall their songs. He starts playing their catalog as if they were his original creations, and overnight he becomes a global sensation, dazzling audiences with beloved tunes they've never heard before. As fame blooms, he navigates the ethical gray area of taking credit for songs he did not write while his relationship with Ellie grows more complicated, painting a portrait of art, truth and ambition. He also learns to trust his own voice.
Directed by Danny Boyle, the film arrives in 2019 with an original screenplay by Richard Curtis and Jack Barth. It isn't adapted from a novel or play, but built around a high concept that blends music, fantasy and romance boldly.
With a budget of 26 million, Yesterday went on to gross about 154.6 million worldwide overall, signaling a solid return for a musical fantasy with broad appeal. The strong domestic and international performance underscored the film's accessible blend of humor and heart.
The movie leans on The Beatles catalog to spark jokes and emotional moments, and it raises questions about originality in a world where technology can reshape memory. Fans discussed the soundtrack as a standout element, while the premise fed conversations about pop culture nostalgia and reinvention across audiences and critics.
Critics generally praised the performance and warmth, even as they noted some tonal shifts. The film explores themes of memory and fame, the ethics of credit, and the redemptive power of music in forming connections. It balances light humor with affection and a bittersweet emotional undertone that resonates with viewers.
What Viewers Are Saying
Audiences latch onto the premise of a guy who wakes after a bus crash to a world where no one remembers The Beatles and uses their songs to shoot to fame. Many feel the idea collapses into a one-joke film with a thin screenplay, even as Himesh Patel's charm and Lily James' Ellie keep things watchable. People praise the witty dialogue and the Beatles soundtrack, but they wish the romance and the pacing had more depth.
Details
- Release Date
- June 26, 2019
- Runtime
- 1h 56m
- Rating
- PG-13
- User Ratings
- 4,177 votes
- Type
- Movie
- Genres
- Comedy, Fantasy, Music, Romance
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Studio
- Working Title Films +1 more
- Budget
- $26,000,000
- Box Office
- $154,608,856
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Official Trailer
Cast
Himesh Patel
Jack Malik
Lily James
Ellie Appleton
Sophia Di Martino
Carol
Ellise Chappell
Lucy
Meera Syal
Sheila Malik
Harry Michell
Nick
Vincent Franklin
Brian
Joel Fry
Rocky
Michael Kiwanuka
Michael Kiwanuka
Karma Sood
Young Jack
Director: Danny Boyle
Written by: Richard Curtis, Jack Barth