Overview
A witty exploration of love and self-discovery unfolds amidst the chaos of a high-society wedding.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- sophisticated
- romantic
- classic movie night
- date night
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as an unqualified classic, praising its witty script, polished direction, and exceptional lead performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Tracy Lord's impending marriage is disrupted by the return of her ex-husband C.K. Dexter Haven, reviving their relationship and forcing emotional reconsideration.
The Lord mansion, wedding-of-the-year publicity, nouveau riche ambition, and tabloid scrutiny provide the film's comic social world.
Tracy, Dexter, Mike, and Liz navigate deception and attraction through elegant verbal sparring rather than physical action.
Tracy's unforgiving manner, Dexter's former drinking, and Mike's idealism all give the romantic plot a framework of self-knowledge and humility.
Films like The Philadelphia Story, and why
His Girl Friday
Shared comedy of remarriage structure, sophisticated dialogue, romantic reversals, and high-society social satire.
Holiday
Shared screwball wit, class tensions, rapid banter, and a strong-willed romantic protagonist.
Adam's Rib
Shared comedy of remarriage themes, verbal sparring, elegant domestic settings, and Cary Grant charm.
Movie Details
- Director
- George Cukor
- Release Date
- 1940-12-05
- Runtime
- 113 min
- Rating
- 7.5 / 10 (1024)
Cast
- Cary Grant
- Katharine Hepburn
- James Stewart
- Ruth Hussey
- John Howard
- Roland Young
- John Halliday
- Mary Nash
- Virginia Weidler
- Henry Daniell
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Philadelphia Story about?
- A sharp, sparkling comedy of remarriage in which a Philadelphia heiress must choose between social perfection and emotional honesty.
- What is The Philadelphia Story like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Philadelphia Story as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Philadelphia Story violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Philadelphia Story.
- What did critics think of The Philadelphia Story?
- Critics broadly regard the film as an unqualified classic, praising its witty script, polished direction, and exceptional lead performances.
- Which films are like The Philadelphia Story?
- Films with a similar feel include His Girl Friday, Holiday, and Adam's Rib.
- How long is The Philadelphia Story?
- The Philadelphia Story runs 113 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Philadelphia Story?
- In United States, The Philadelphia Story streams on Philo.
