The Butler poster

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Streaming data from JustWatch

The Butler

2013 · Movie · 132 min
B

MEANRANK

72/100

Averaged across 12 ratings · 432.8K 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 →

44–94 out of 100

Split

Lowest is Criticker on 44, highest is Google on 94.

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Inspired by a true story, this film follows the life of a man who served as a butler in the White House for over three decades. Through his eyes, we witness the changing racial landscape of America and the personal toll of his work, which often puts him at odds with his activist son. The story spans eight presidential administrations from the 1950s through the 1980s.

Details

Director
Lee Daniels
Released
16 August 2013
Country
United States
Language
English
Runtime
132 min
Rated
PG-13
Budget
$25.0M
Box office
$177.3M
Awards
5 wins, 20 nominations

This title elsewhere

Forest Whitaker

Forest Whitaker

Cecil Gaines

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey

Gloria Gaines

David Oyelowo

David Oyelowo

Louis Gaines

John Cusack

John Cusack

Richard Nixon

Jane Fonda

Jane Fonda

Nancy Reagan

Cuba Gooding Jr.

Cuba Gooding Jr.

Carter Wilson

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey

Hattie Pearl

Awards & nominations

See all 25 →

5 wins from 25 nominations across 9 ceremonies

BAFTA Awards 2013 BAFTA Award for Best Makeup and Hair Debra Denson, Beverly Jo Pryor, Candace Neal Nominee
BAFTA Awards 2013 Best Actress in a Supporting Role Oprah Winfrey Nominee
Critics Choice Awards 2013 Best Supporting Actress Oprah Winfrey Nominee
Critics Choice Awards 2013 Best Cast Mariah Carey, John Cusack, Jane Fonda, Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard, Lenny Kravitz, James Marsden, David Oyelowo, Alex Pettyfer, Vanessa Redgrave, Alan Rickman, Liev Schreiber, Forest Whitaker, Robin Williams, and Oprah Winfrey Nominee
Critics Choice Awards 2013 Best Makeup Nominee
Screen Actors Guild Award 2013 Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role Oprah Winfrey Nominee
Screen Actors Guild Award 2013 Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role Forest Whitaker Nominee
Screen Actors Guild Award 2013 Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Mariah Carey, John Cusack, Jane Fonda, Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard, Lenny Kravitz, James Marsden, David Oyelowo, Alex Pettyfer, Vanessa Redgrave, Alan Rickman, Liev Schreiber, Forest Whitaker, Robin Williams, and Oprah Winfrey Nominee
Show all 25 awards across 9 ceremonies

Awards from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA.