King Lear

  • 1988
  • PG
  • 90m
movieMx RATING
6.4/1035
VERDICT
ABOVE AVERAGE
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Performance & Direction: King Lear Review

Last updated: February 25, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 25, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is King Lear (1988) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.4/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and King Lear features a noteworthy lineup led by Peter Sellars . Supported by the likes of Burgess Meredith and Julie Delpy , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of King Lear (1988) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.4/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Result: ABOVE AVERAGE
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, King Lear stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE.

Story & Plot Summary: King Lear

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1988, King Lear is a Comedy, Drama film directed by Jean-Luc Godard. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Peter Sellars.

Ending Explained: King Lear

Ending Breakdown: Directed by Jean-Luc Godard, King Lear concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.

The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Peter Sellars, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of King Lear reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch King Lear?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of Peter Sellars or the director
  • Want some laughs and light entertainment

Box Office Collection: King Lear

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $1.0M
Worldwide Gross $61.8K
Trade Verdict FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT

King Lear Budget

The estimated production budget for King Lear is $1.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

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Top Cast: King Lear

All Cast & Crew →
Peter Sellars
Peter SellarsWilliam Shakespeare Junior the Fifth
Julie Delpy
Julie DelpyVirginia
Jean-Luc Godard
Jean-Luc GodardProfessor Pluggy
Woody Allen
Woody AllenMr. Alien (uncredited)
Freddy Buache
Freddy BuacheProfessor Quentin Kozintsev (uncredited)
Menahem Golan
Menahem GolanSelf (voice) (uncredited)
Suzanne Lanza
Suzanne Lanza(uncredited)
Kate Mailer
Kate MailerSelf (uncredited)
Norman Mailer
Norman MailerSelf (uncredited)
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King Lear Parents Guide & Age Rating

1988 Advisory
PG

Official Age Rating

Wondering about King Lear age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

King Lear is rated PG. It is generally suitable for all ages.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of King Lear is 90 minutes (1h 30m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.4/10, and global performance metrics, King Lear is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1988 cinematic calendar.

ABOVE AVERAGE
Official movieMx status for King Lear. Rating: 6.4/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is King Lear worth watching?

King Lear is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 6.4/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.

Where can I find King Lear parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for King Lear identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of King Lear?

The total duration of King Lear is 90 minutes, which is approximately 1h 30m long.

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How King Lear Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for King Lear

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movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.4
King Lear
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/king-lear-50012" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 6.4</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">King Lear</div></div></a>

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