Once

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2:05

Once

R

2007

1h 26m

Romance

Musical

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

161 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

A vacuum repairman (Glen Hansard) moonlights as a street musician and hopes for his big break. One day a Czech immigrant (Marketa Irglova), who earns a living selling flowers, approaches him with the news that she is also an aspiring singer-songwriter. The pair decide to collaborate, and the songs that they compose reflect the story of their blossoming love.

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Critics Consensus

A charming, captivating tale of love and music, Once sets the standard for the modern musical. And with Dublin as its backdrop, Once is fun and fresh.

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Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films

Oct 29, 2008

A-

At once delicate and gritty, wistful and deeply satisfying.

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Christopher Orr

The New Republic

Sep 18, 2008

In an era when Hollywood has largely lost the ability to distinguish between romance and sex, Once is the rare film that recognizes that love is no less love for being held in check, it is merely a different kind of love.

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Mark Bourne

Film.com

Dec 19, 2007

Once doesn't plop its emotions on its characters' sleeves, and it trusts us enough to leave some of the best stuff unstated. In other words, it trusts us to know that half the music lies between the notes.

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Rachel Wagner

Rachel's Reviews (YouTube)

Jul 31, 2026

A beautiful and touching film

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Apr 25, 2026

3.5/4

One of the most satisfying movies I’ve seen all year.

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Daisy Leigh-Phippard

Screen Queens

Feb 21, 2022

In the end, they were both strangers guided by the kindness they showed one another. And I bet youve forgotten what resolution the camera quality is by the end credits.

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Robert P

@Superbad 6 days ago

Once is an absolute *5* star movie

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Matthew D

@OceanSage Sep 1, 2026

The most romantic film ever from Ireland. Once will always be dear to my heart. Irish director John Carney’s Irish romantic musical drama Once (2007) is absolutely one of my favorite films of all time. Carney keeps us close to our leads and composers Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová. I adore their folk soundtrack for Once. "Falling Slowly" is pure heartache captured in a song. Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard is delightful and moving as Guy. His moments of concern, yearning, frustration, playfulness, and tenderness are all so great. He’s charming and funny, then he rips your heart out as he sings with a fiery passion. Icelandic-Czech singer-songwriter Markéta Irglová is incredibly touching as the lovely Girl. Her delicate voice, gentle piano playing, sweet melodies, and playful persona are amazing. She just brings Once to life with her upbeat personality and emotional sincerity. I’ll never forget Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová in Once.

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Larry L

@RT02575633 Aug 1, 2026

This movie is wonderful. The scene in the piano store where the guy shares the song he's working on ("Falling Slowly") is about as magical as a scene can get: his passion, the girl's harmony, his top notes. Wow!

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Judah S

@Judah3963 Jul 21, 2026

The graphics did NOT age well… but there’s something encapsulating about the low quality feel, it feels like you’re on an Irish street. And there’s something beautiful about how natural and yet unnatural their relationship is. And on top of that the music puts in it its place and gives the movie an identity that takes you hold and doesn’t let you go. The magical moments on the guitar captured by the low quality cameras is somehow weirdly enticing. And it feels almost like Before Sunrise. It’s such a human movie in the way its emotion is expressed.

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Les N

@Vegas628 Jun 24, 2026

Great movie and even greater song.

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Drew M.

@Stonehands211 Jun 21, 2026

A personal favorite.

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John Carney

Director

Glen Hansard

Guy

Markéta Irglová

Girl

Hugh Walsh

Timmy Drummer

Gerry Hendrick

Lead Guitarist

Alaistair Foley

Bassist

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Synopsis

A vacuum repairman (Glen Hansard) moonlights as a street musician and hopes for his big break. One day a Czech immigrant (Marketa Irglova), who earns a living selling flowers, approaches him with the news that she is also an aspiring singer-songwriter. The pair decide to collaborate, and the songs that they compose reflect the story of their blossoming love.

Director: John Carney
Producer: Martina Niland
Screenwriter: John Carney
Distributor: Fox
Production Co: RTE, Samson Films, Summit Entertainment, Irish Film Board
Rating: R (Language)
Genre: Romance, Musical, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 16, 2007, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 19, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $9.4M
Runtime: 1h 26m

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