The Butler (2013): cast, story & where to watch
2013 · Film · ★ 7.3
Released in 2013, The Butler is a drama film directed by Lee Daniels, running about 132 minutes. “One quiet voice can ignite a revolution.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. A look at the life of Cecil Gaines who served eight presidents as the White House's head butler from 1952 to 1986, and had a unique front-row seat as political and racial history was made.
Who’s in it. The Butler stars Forest Whitaker as Cecil Gaines, David Banner as Earl Gaines, Michael Rainey Jr. as Cecil Gaines (8) and LaJessie Smith as Abraham, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.3/10, The Butler has been warmly received by audiences. It went on to earn $115.9M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Philo, YouTube TV and MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Butler page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Butler tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Butler (2013)?
- In US, The Butler is available to stream on Philo, YouTube TV and MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Butler worth watching?
- The Butler holds an audience score of 7.3 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The Butler?
- The Butler stars Forest Whitaker, David Banner, Michael Rainey Jr., LaJessie Smith and Mariah Carey.
- When was The Butler released?
- The Butler was released in 2013, with a runtime of about 132 minutes.