The United States vs. Billie Holiday poster

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Streaming data from JustWatch

The United States vs. Billie Holiday

2021 · Movie · 131 min
C

MEANRANK

65/100

Averaged across 10 ratings · 51.6K 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.

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52–86 out of 100

Split

Lowest is Metacritic critics on 52, highest is Google on 86. Critics average 54, everyone else 67.

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This film focuses on the later career of legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday, specifically the targeted campaign by the Federal Department of Narcotics to silence her. The government sought to stop her from performing her iconic song "Strange Fruit," which protested racial violence. The story depicts her struggle with addiction, fame, and the systemic persecution she endured for her art and activism.

Details

Director
Lee Daniels
Released
31 March 2021
Country
United States
Language
English
Runtime
131 min
Rated
R
Awards
8 wins, 20 nominations

This title elsewhere

Andra Day

Andra Day

Billie Holiday

Trevante Rhodes

Trevante Rhodes

Jimmy Fletcher

Garrett Hedlund

Garrett Hedlund

Harry Anslinger

Leslie Jordan

Leslie Jordan

Reginald Lord Devine

Miss Lawrence

Miss Lawrence

Miss Freddy

Adriane Lenox

Adriane Lenox

Mrs. Fletcher

Natasha Lyonne

Natasha Lyonne

Tallulah Bankhead

Rob Morgan

Rob Morgan

Louis McKay

Awards & nominations

See all 28 →

2 major awards won · 8 wins from 28 nominations across 13 ceremonies

Grammy Awards 2022 Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media The United States vs. Billie Holiday Winner
Golden Globe Awards 2021 Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama Andra Day Winner
Academy Awards 2021 Best Actress Andra Day Nominee
Critics' Choice Movie Awards 2021 Best Hair and Makeup The United States vs. Billie Holiday Nominee
Critics' Choice Movie Awards 2021 Best Actress Andra Day Nominee
Critics' Choice Movie Awards 2021 Best Song "Tigress & Tweed" – Andra Day & Raphael Saadiq Nominee
Golden Globe Awards 2021 Best Original Song "Tigress & Tweed" – Andra Day & Raphael Saadiq Nominee
NAACP Image Awards 2022 Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture Andra Day Nominee
Show all 28 awards across 13 ceremonies

Awards from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA.