← Back to explore

American Beauty

1999 · Movie · R · 122 min

★ 8.0(13,482)unSUB Rating

Drama

A depressed suburban father in a mid-life crisis tries to reshape his hectic life. After developing an infatuation with his daughter’s friend, the family dynamic shifts in unexpected ways, bringing out tensions and dissatisfaction in everyday life.

Where to watch

Watch free on Pluto TV.

2 hours to watch.

Streaming availability and prices may be inaccurate or change — verify with the provider before subscribing.

unSUB's subscription recommendations are informational only, not financial advice.

unSUB does not host or stream any content. Every link above goes to a licensed provider.

More value for your money

Similar titles, ranked by watch-hours per subscription dollar.

Details
Years
1999
Release date
1999-09-15
Language
English
Rated
R
Runtime
122 min
TMDB rating (input)
8.0/10 (13,482 votes)
Box office
$356,296,601
About

You’ll likely enjoy American Beauty if you like provocative, darkly humorous dramas about suburban life and personal reinvention, and you’re okay with uncomfortable themes and complex, hard-to-like characters—Not for you if you want light, purely uplifting family fare like Magnolia or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Pros: dark humor; relatable family tension; standout performances | Cons: unsettling material; some characters disliked; uneven dialogue

Themes

  • estate agent
  • adultery
  • coming out
  • first time
  • virgin
  • cheating
  • parent child relationship
  • age difference
  • midlife crisis
  • cheerleader
  • dark comedy
  • rose
  • +24 more

Awards & recognition

  • Academy Award — Best Director · 2000
  • Academy Award — Best Writing, Original Screenplay · 2000
  • Academy Award — Best Cinematography · 2000
  • Academy Award — Best Picture · 2000
  • Academy Award — Best Actor · 2000
Show all 19 awards →
  • Amanda Award — Best Foreign Feature Film · 2000
  • BAFTA Award — Best Film · 2000
  • Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award — Best Film · 1999
  • National Board of Review Award — Best Film
  • National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
  • Academy Award — Best Picture · 2000 · nominated
  • Academy Award — Best Film Editing · 2000 · nominated
  • Academy Award — Best Writing, Original Screenplay · 2000 · nominated
  • Academy Award — Best Actor · 2000 · nominated
  • Academy Award — Best Director · 2000 · nominated
  • Academy Award — Best Original Score · 2000 · nominated
  • Academy Award — Best Actress · 2000 · nominated
  • Academy Award — Best Cinematography · 2000 · nominated
  • European Film Award — Best Non-European Film · 1999 · nominated

Cast & crew

Directed by Sam Mendes