The Butcher Boy poster

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The Butcher Boy

1997 · Movie · 110 min
B

MEANRANK

73/100

Averaged across 7 ratings · 23.8K votes

Every rating

Platform pages last read 30 September 2026. IMDb’s figure comes from IMDb’s own data file, which we re-read about once a month.

64–81 out of 100

Everyone agrees

Lowest is AlloCiné on 64, highest is Rotten Tomatoes viewers on 81.

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Compare Trailer

Francie and Joe live the usual playful, fantasy filled childhoods of normal boys. However, with a violent, alcoholic father and a manic depressive, suicidal mother the pressure on Francie to grow up are immense. When Francie's world turns to madness, he tries to counter it with further insanity, with dire consequences.

Details

Director
Neil Jordan
Based on
a work by Pat McCabe
Released
20 February 1998
Country
Ireland, United States
Language
English
Runtime
110 min
Rated
R
Box office
$5.0M
Awards
5 wins, 0 nominations

This title elsewhere

Eamonn Owens

Eamonn Owens

Francie Brady

Alan Boyle

Joe Purcell

Fiona Shaw

Fiona Shaw

Mrs. Nugent

Stephen Rea

Stephen Rea

Da Brady

Ian Hart

Ian Hart

Uncle Arlo

Peter Gowen

Peter Gowen

Leddy

Sean McGinley

Sean McGinley

Sergeant

Awards & nominations

See all 5 →

2 major awards won · 5 wins from 5 nominations across 4 ceremonies

Berlin International Film Festival 1997 Silver Bear for Best Director Neil Jordan Winner
Berlin International Film Festival 1997 Special Mention (for Astonishing Lead) Eamonn Owens Winner
European Film Awards 1997 Best Cinematographer Adrian Biddle Winner
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards 1997 Best Music Elliot Goldenthal Winner
National Board of Review Awards 1997 Top 10 Films Winner

Awards from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA.