The Likely Lads (1976): cast, story & where to watch
1976 · Film · ★ 6.2
Released in 1976, The Likely Lads is a comedy film directed by Michael Tuchner, running about 90 minutes. “Emotion blazes across the big screen as Bob and Terry knock down the frontiers of human knowledge and Newcastle ale.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. With the destruction of their previous neighbourhood has inevitably come the destruction of the lads’ favoured watering hole The Fat Ox. Again, it’s Bob rather than Terry who is visibly distressed by this. Upset and much the worse for free alcohol, Bob then storms into the library to seek sympathy from Thelma - who is, predictably, unimpressed. So when Thelma finds out that Terry has been getting semi-serious with glamorous Finnish shop assistant Chris, she takes it upon herself to try and pair them off for good via planning first a dinner party and then that mainstay of 70s comedy, a camping expedition. Of course, things don’t go quite according to plan and before you can say ‘I can see the way this is going’ we are set up for japes, larks and embarrassing incidents aplenty, which culminate in the lads getting rather fed up with their partners’ attempts to inflict the rugged outdoor lifestyle upon them and trying to hitch up and drive off with the girls still asleep in the caravan.
Who’s in it. The Likely Lads stars James Bolam as Terry, Rodney Bewes as Bob, Brigit Forsyth as Thelma and Mary Tamm as Christina, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.2/10, The Likely Lads has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In GB you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Likely Lads page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Likely Lads tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Likely Lads (1976)?
- In GB, The Likely Lads is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Likely Lads worth watching?
- The Likely Lads holds an audience score of 6.2 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Likely Lads?
- The Likely Lads stars James Bolam, Rodney Bewes, Brigit Forsyth, Mary Tamm and Sheila Fearn.
- When was The Likely Lads released?
- The Likely Lads was released in 1976, with a runtime of about 90 minutes.