Moonlight

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Moonlight

R

2016

1h 51m

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

402 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

A look at three defining chapters in the life of Chiron, a young black man growing up in Miami. His epic journey to manhood is guided by the kindness, support and love of the community that helps raise him.

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Critics Consensus

Moonlight uses one man's story to offer a remarkable and brilliantly crafted look at lives too rarely seen in cinema.

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Andrea Thompson

Chicago Reader

Jun 21, 2023

Jenkins portrays a world so often fetishized and reduced to its most violent outcomes from the inside, with tenderness and Wong Kar-wai’s influence on his cinematic sleeve.

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Nijla Mu'min

Bitch Media

Feb 17, 2021

Moonlight displays the kind of empathy and humanity that we desperately need right now.

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Elena Lazic

Little White Lies

Mar 21, 2018

Jenkins' authorial voice is resounding and strong and his determination admirable.

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Brooke Obie

Black Girl Watching

Oct 2, 2026

I’m forever grateful to the brilliance of Tarell Alvin McCraney and Barry Jenkins for this film. It is an absolutely perfect deconstruction of toxic masculinity and the patriarchy that keeps men and boys from accessing the depths of love and connection.

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Stephen A. Russell

Orion's Shoulder (Substack)

Sep 8, 2026

Love and forgiveness soak the sore bones of Jenkins’ equal parts tender and tumultuous Moonlight. An enduring gift to cinema, it’s a homecoming in many senses.

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Jaylan Salah

Vague Visages

Jul 6, 2026

"Not only does it feel true to its origins, but it also speaks to viewers from different parts of the world."

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Max T

Oct 9, 2026

Beautiful coming-of-age masterpiece.

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Jose Razo

Oct 4, 2026

Poetry in motion during a film. Loved it and shoutout to my lesbian sister and LGBTQ+ community. Everyone deserves to feel love, respect, and unity.

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Brendan

Oct 3, 2026

Best American film of the modern day

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Versace

Oct 3, 2026

I have never seen it and was greatly impressed. kinda annoyed I related to it so much. I it was profound and simple all at once.

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Juandi

Jul 6, 2026

Finally got around to watching this for the first time & wow what a story. Great acting performances & such a heartfelt storyline. It definitely leaves you wanting more of it by the end. I hope everyone involved with this film is very proud of their work.

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Angie

Jun 23, 2026

literally ive seen this movie 5 times and finally for the 6th time I got to see it on screen. this movie will never not make me emotional and I mean when I say this is the perfect movie. One of the few times I see a movie handle a subject like this one so tenderly but with so much passion and do it correctly. watch it immediately.

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Barry Jenkins

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Juan

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Synopsis

A look at three defining chapters in the life of Chiron, a young black man growing up in Miami. His epic journey to manhood is guided by the kindness, support and love of the community that helps raise him.

Director: Barry Jenkins
Producer: Adele Romanski, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner
Screenwriter: Barry Jenkins
Distributor: A24
Production Co: Plan B Entertainment, Pastel, Upload Films
Rating: R (Drug Use|Brief Violence|Language Throughout|Some Sexuality)
Genre: Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 18, 2016, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Oct 2, 2026
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 21, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $27.9M
Runtime: 1h 51m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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