Harold and Maude

Play trailer

Harold and Maude

PG

1971

1h 31m

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

49 Reviews

93%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Cult classic pairs Cort as a dead-pan disillusioned 20-year-old obsessed with suicide and a lovable Gordon as a fun-loving 80-year-old eccentric. They meet at a funeral, and develop a taboo romantic relationship, in which they explore the tired theme of the meaning of life with a fresh perspective.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Hal Ashby's comedy is too dark and twisted for some, and occasionally oversteps its bounds, but there's no denying the film's warm humor and big heart.

Read Critics Reviews

Richard McGuinness

Village Voice

01/18/2013

The fact that [it] isn't very funny and, like its 80-year-old heroic, long outlives its necessary life, is less important than the fact that the characters frequently react gently or like credible human beings to the script's impossible notions.

Go to Full Review

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

10/24/2007

Simpleminded, but it's fairly inoffensive, at least until Ashby lingers over the concentration-camp serial number tattooed on Gordon's arm. Some things are beyond the reach of whimsy.

Go to Full Review

Derek Adams

Time Out

06/24/2006

It is most successful when it keeps to the tone of an insane fairystory set up at the beginning of the movie.

Go to Full Review

Rosalyn Drexler

Vogue

03/08/2024

3/4

The picture is anti-war, anti-repression, and full of fun; a charming hour and a half of black humor.

Go to Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

02/14/2022

4/4

Its strength resides in a philosophy of self-exploration through personal fulfillment, bodily acceptance and exploration, artistic creation, and spontaneity.

Go to Full Review

Stephen Silver

Tilt Magazine

12/31/2021

5/5

Exemplifies the expression "it shouldn't have worked, but it did" more than any movie I can think of, is a romantic comedy, and also a very dark comedy (50th anniversary)

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Meghan

Feb 24

Favorite movie of all time

See more

Melissa L

@Agent99 Jun 22

It was a great movie, but I am not too fond of the ending.

See more

Ana F.

@RT95078477 Jun 3

Weird and wonderful; you either "get it " or you don't. I first saw it in the movie theater as a naive teenager, and I loved it. The soundtrack is unmatched. ❤️

See more

Patrick C

@RT84374237 May 22

Having watched this wonderful film for the first time, I would argue that its very creation was an affirmation of life as espoused by Maude in the film. Whether Maude is entirely believable as a character is beside the point - the fact that she exists onscreen is a celebration in itself, her effect on Harold a joy to behold. Suspend one's disbelief and all good things come from this life-affirming gem.

See more

Jens B

@Jens97 Apr 5

At first glance macabre, but beneath the surface profoundly life-affirming, human, funny, and sad. Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort give their all, Hal Ashby directs with restraint (with some truly excellent shots), and Cat Stevens' music completes the picture. A beautiful film, perfect for the start of spring.

See more

Jea S

@RT26204834 Feb 15

After reading some reviews, apparently it isn't for everyone, but it's my favorite movie. You can't deny that the music is perfection. The two leads are phenomenal the message (to me) is beautiful AND on top of that it made me laugh out loud. It's the only movie I've seen repeatedly. Promise you won't compare it to anything else you've ever seen.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Hal Ashby

Director

Bud Cort

Harold Chasen

Ruth Gordon

Maude

Cyril Cusack

Glaucus

Vivian Pickles

Mrs. Chasen

Charles Tyner

Uncle Victor

Harold and Maude: Official Clip - Dating Questionnaire

2:13

Harold and Maude: Official Clip - Maude's 80th Birthday

2:07

Harold and Maude: Official Clip - It's Rather Hard to Find a Truck

2:12

Harold and Maude: Official Clip - He Seems Very Nice

2:01

Harold and Maude: Official Clip - Harold Meets Maude

2:13

Harold and Maude: Official Clip - Can I Give You a Lift?

1:44

Harold and Maude: Official Clip - The Last Date

2:13

Harold and Maude: Official Clip - Backing Away From Life

2:13

View more videos

Paper Moon

91%

95%

Paper Moon

Watchlist

Citizens Band

100%

66%

Citizens Band

Watchlist

Play It Again, Sam

97%

89%

Play It Again, Sam

Watchlist

Meatballs

71%

58%

Meatballs

Watchlist

Airplane!

97%

89%

Airplane!

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Airplane!

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Naomi Watts’ Five Favorite Films

Heather Graham’s Five Favorite Films

Rachel Weisz’s Five Favorite Films

View more photos

Synopsis

Cult classic pairs Cort as a dead-pan disillusioned 20-year-old obsessed with suicide and a lovable Gordon as a fun-loving 80-year-old eccentric. They meet at a funeral, and develop a taboo romantic relationship, in which they explore the tired theme of the meaning of life with a fresh perspective.

Director: Hal Ashby
Producer: Colin Higgins, Charles Mulvehill
Screenwriter: Colin Higgins
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Mildred Lewis and Colin Higgins Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 1, 1971, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 31m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)