Much Ado About Nothing

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Much Ado About Nothing

PG-13

1993

1h 50m

Comedy

Romance

Drama

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Popcornmeter

90%

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48 Reviews

86%

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50,000+ Ratings

In this Shakespearean farce, Hero (Kate Beckinsale) and her groom-to-be, Claudio (Robert Sean Leonard), team up with Claudio's commanding officer, Don Pedro (Denzel Washington), the week before their wedding to hatch a matchmaking scheme. Their targets are sharp-witted duo Benedick (Kenneth Branagh) and Beatrice (Emma Thompson) -- a tough task indeed, considering their corresponding distaste for love and each other. Meanwhile, meddling Don John (Keanu Reeves) plots to ruin the wedding.

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Critics Consensus

Kenneth Branagh's love for the material is contagious in this exuberant adaptation.

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David Denby

New York Magazine/Vulture

Dec 31, 2019

Much Ado About Nothing is one of the few movies of recent years that could leave its audiences weeping with joy.

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Stanley Kauffmann

The New Republic

Jan 5, 2018

Doyle's enrapturing music and Branagh's cinematic grip of the play--inventive, lithe, somehow Shakespearean--are splendid. This Much Ado is a flawed gem. Certainly, regrettably, flawed; still, a gem.

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Adam Mars-Jones

Independent (UK)

Nov 16, 2017

Emma Thompson is normally a very reliable performer on screen, but Beatrice is not one of her successes.

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Rachel Wagner

Hallmarkies Podcast

Aug 14, 2024

My favorite Shakespeare adaptation of all time

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Farah Cheded

A Good Movie To Watch

Jul 26, 2023

75/100

It might not be set to the music of ABBA, but with Patrick Doyle’s radiant score, an intoxicatingly beautiful Tuscan setting, and an infectious, non-stop party vibe, the joyous Much Ado About Nothing feels [...] akin to Mamma Mia

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Michael Dwyer

Irish Times

Feb 19, 2019

What a piece of work is this.

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Sam L

@SVLatour Oct 27, 2026

Very light hearted yet thought provoking play worthy of viewing by anyone who loves Shakespeare.

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Austin B

@RT35999578 Sep 15, 2026

Austin B Boswellllgmailcom

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Diandre R

@RT53139537 May 16, 2026

I love Shakespeare movies. I am a sucker for them. They are always good to me. This movie was really good, especially the acting. This is an all-star cast putting on an all-star performance. I also thought the story was really good too.

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Christopher C.

@PapaTangooo May 16, 2026

A very fun adaptation of Shakespeare . . . for the romantic in you.

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Joy B.

@9mr_0 Jan 12, 2026

ملحمه فنية . رواية لشكسبير فحتما انت على موعد مع قصة جميلةجدا. المخرج عرض الفلم بشكل هادىء يجمع بين الاداء السينمائي و المسرحي مع كوميديا جميلة. الممثلين ادائهم اكثر من رائع لكن ما ازعجني ان بعض الممثلين دائهم ما كان يوازي حجمهم او المخرج لم يعطهم المساحه الكافية . التصوير كان سلس و متزن. الموسيقى و الاغاني كانت رائعه. ملابس الممثلين كانت انيقة.

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John T

@DrJohnT Sep 8, 2025

Joyful story of love! Superb cast and setting in glorious Tuscany

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Kenneth Branagh

Director

Kenneth Branagh

Seigneur Benedick

Emma Thompson

Beatrice

Denzel Washington

Don Pedro of Aragon

Keanu Reeves

Don John

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Synopsis

In this Shakespearean farce, Hero (Kate Beckinsale) and her groom-to-be, Claudio (Robert Sean Leonard), team up with Claudio's commanding officer, Don Pedro (Denzel Washington), the week before their wedding to hatch a matchmaking scheme. Their targets are sharp-witted duo Benedick (Kenneth Branagh) and Beatrice (Emma Thompson) -- a tough task indeed, considering their corresponding distaste for love and each other. Meanwhile, meddling Don John (Keanu Reeves) plots to ruin the wedding.

Director: Kenneth Branagh
Producer: Kenneth Branagh, Stephen Evans, David Parfitt
Screenwriter: Kenneth Branagh, William Shakespeare
Distributor: Argentina Video Home, Columbia Tristar
Production Co: BBC, Samuel Goldwyn Company
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 7, 1993, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 27, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $22.5M
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Surround

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