Burn After Reading poster

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Streaming data from JustWatch

Burn After Reading

2008 · Movie · 96 min
C

MEANRANK

68/100

Averaged across 12 ratings · 1.4M votes

Every rating

Platform pages last read 29 September 2026. IMDb’s figure comes from IMDb’s own data file, which we re-read about once a month.

Google: Google retired the star ratings it used to show in search results, so this one no longer updates. More on where the numbers come from →

52–78 out of 100

Mostly agreed

Lowest is Criticker on 52, highest is Rotten Tomatoes critics on 78.

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Compare Trailer

A disk containing the memoirs of a disgruntled CIA analyst falls into the hands of two gym employees who mistake it for highly sensitive intelligence. Seeing a chance for money, they attempt to blackmail the analyst. Their scheme sets off a chaotic chain of events involving online dating, secret affairs, and confused government officials trying to understand the nonsensical situation.

Details

Released
5 September 2008
Country
United States, United Kingdom, France
Language
English
Runtime
96 min
Rated
R
Budget
$37.0M
Box office
$163.7M
Awards
3 wins, 20 nominations

This title elsewhere

George Clooney

George Clooney

Harry Pfarrer

Frances McDormand

Frances McDormand

Linda Litzke

Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt

Chad Feldheimer

John Malkovich

John Malkovich

Osborne Cox

Tilda Swinton

Tilda Swinton

Katie Cox

Elizabeth Marvel

Elizabeth Marvel

Sandy Pfarrer

David Rasche

David Rasche

CIA Officer

Awards & nominations

See all 23 →

3 wins from 23 nominations across 17 ceremonies

Art Directors Guild Awards 2009 Excellence in Production Design for a Contemporary Film Jess Gonchor Nominee
Critics' Choice Awards 2009 Best Comedy Burn After Reading Nominee
Golden Globe Awards 2009 Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy Frances McDormand Nominee
Golden Globe Awards 2009 Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy Burn After Reading Nominee
Writers Guild of America Awards 2009 Best Original Screenplay Joel Coen and Ethan Coen Nominee
AARP Movies for Grownups Awards 2009 Best Actress Frances McDormand Nominee
AARP Movies for Grownups Awards 2009 Best Supporting Actor John Malkovich Nominee
AARP Movies for Grownups Awards 2009 Best Screenwriter Joel Coen and Ethan Coen Nominee
Show all 23 awards across 17 ceremonies

Awards from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA.