The Celluloid Closet (1996): cast, story & where to watch
1996 · Film · ★ 7
Released in 1996, The Celluloid Closet is a drama, history and documentary film directed by Rob Epstein, running about 102 minutes.
What it’s about. This documentary highlights the historical contexts that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals have occupied in cinema history, and shows the evolution of the entertainment industry's role in shaping perceptions of LGBT figures. The issues addressed include secrecy – which initially defined homosexuality – as well as the demonization of the homosexual community with the advent of AIDS, and finally the shift toward acceptance and positivity in the modern era.
Who’s in it. The Celluloid Closet stars Lily Tomlin as Narrator (voice), Tony Curtis as Self, Susan Sarandon as Self and Gore Vidal as Self, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.0/10, The Celluloid Closet has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can 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 Celluloid Closet page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Celluloid Closet tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Celluloid Closet (1996)?
- In US, The Celluloid Closet is available to 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 Celluloid Closet worth watching?
- The Celluloid Closet holds an audience score of 7.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama, history and documentary. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The Celluloid Closet?
- The Celluloid Closet stars Lily Tomlin, Tony Curtis, Susan Sarandon, Gore Vidal and Whoopi Goldberg.
- When was The Celluloid Closet released?
- The Celluloid Closet was released in 1996, with a runtime of about 102 minutes.