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Biographical drama

Battle of the Sexes (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Battle of the Sexes (2017) movie poster

Battle of the Sexes is a 2017 biographical drama directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, starring Emma Stone as Billie Jean King, Steve Carell and Elisabeth Shue. It runs 2 hours 1 minute and earned $18.6 million worldwide on a $25 million budget. It earned 6 award nominations, including Best Actor in a Comedy Movie at the Critics' Choice 2018. Critics gave it 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
84%
worldwide gross
$18.6M
award nominations
6
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Battle of the Sexes (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 1m (121 min)
Genres
Biography , Drama , Sport , Comedy
Original language
English
Budget
$25M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Battle of the Sexes About?

The premise of Battle of the Sexes without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In 1973, a highly publicized tennis match between Billie Jean King and former champion Bobby Riggs captivated the nation. The contest became more than just a game, as King and Riggs faced personal challenges while confronting societal expectations. King grappled with her sexuality, while Riggs sought to recapture his former glory. The match sparked a cultural phenomenon, prompting conversations about gender equality and leaving a lasting impact far beyond the tennis court.

Battle of the Sexes Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • tennis player
  • gender equality
  • 1970s
  • tennis
  • tennis match
  • posing nude
  • lesbian affair
  • year 1973
  • sexism
  • lesbianism
  • exhibition match
  • hotel
+38 more
  • winning
  • money
  • period piece
  • misogyny
  • adultery
  • male chauvinism
  • husband wife relationship
  • lesbian lead character
  • tennis champion
  • equality
  • sponsor
  • corporate sponsorship
  • lesbian tennis player
  • year 1972
  • based on real person
  • based on true story
  • what happened to epilogue
  • 20th century
  • friendship
  • gay friend
  • tennis court
  • cheering
  • announcer
  • tennis dress
  • competition
  • wager
  • salon
  • press conference
  • interview
  • motel room
  • hotel room
  • homosexuality
  • closeted
  • in the closet
  • trophy
  • commentator
  • challenge
  • public challenge
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Cast & crew

Battle of the Sexes Cast & Characters

Emma Stone leads the cast as Billie Jean King, with Steve Carell as Bobby Riggs and Elisabeth Shue as Priscilla Riggs. Directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris; 14 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Battle of the Sexes

· 10 more
From the directors

More from Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris

More films directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, best-rated first: Little Miss Sunshine, Ruby Sparks, The Smashing Pumpkins: Tonight, Tonight and R.E.M.: Rough Cut.

Ratings

Battle of the Sexes Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Battle of the Sexes 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 77/100, strongest in art & craft (88) and weakest in story & flow (58).

77 /100

Battle of the Sexes Echo Score Breakdown

In general, the film excels on its artistic and performance fronts while its narrative and pacing limitations temper its impact. Reviewers uniformly highlighted the stylish period recreation and confident directing, and nearly all praised the central performances, though many noted that Riggs’s characterization often lacks depth. The pacing and scripting receive mixed reactions, with uneven plot development affecting engagement. Overall, Battle of the Sexes presents compelling themes and polished craftsmanship, even when its storytelling occasionally feels simplistic.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 88

    Art and craft in Battle of the Sexes stand out for their authentic period detail and visual consistency. In terms of cinematography, many reviewers cited textured camerawork and measured framing that evoke 1970s broadcast aesthetics. When it comes to production design and costume work, the sets and attire consistently reflect the era’s style. Concluding, the editing and directional choices cohere into immersive visual language that supports the film’s historical setting.

  • Character & Emotion 82

    Character and emotion in this film are anchored by strong lead performances but tempered by uneven depth. In terms of acting, Emma Stone and Steve Carell receive frequent praise for embodying their real-life counterparts. However, reviewers often found Riggs’s portrayal somewhat one-dimensional, which reduced emotional resonance at key moments. Overall, the chemistry between the principals remains effective, even when character arcs feel simplified.

  • Story & Flow 58

    Story and flow in Battle of the Sexes exhibit both engaging themes and inconsistent pacing. When it comes to plot coherence, some praised the film’s relevance and biographical focus, while others criticized its reliance on broad strokes and occasional narrative flatness. In terms of pacing, the script’s tendency toward spelled-out dialogue affects momentum. Concluding, the storyline offers a clear thematic arc but lacks nuanced development in certain sequences.

  • Sensory Experience 78

    Sensory experience in the film benefits from authentic auditory and visual elements. In terms of soundtrack and sound design, reviewers noted period-appropriate audio cues and archival snippets that enhance immersion. When it comes to visual style, the textured film stock simulation and cohesive color palette evoke 1970s broadcasts. Concluding, the interplay of sound and imagery effectively supports the film’s atmosphere, even if no individual element stands out exceptionally.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    Rewatch factor for this film is moderate, driven by its thematic relevance and performances rather than complex plot twists. In terms of enjoyment on subsequent viewings, the period detail and central chemistry retain appeal, although some narrative shortcomings become more apparent. When it comes to lasting appeal, the historical context and message offer discussion points, but the straightforward structure may limit repeat viewings.

Plot

Battle of the Sexes Plot Summary

What happens in Battle of the Sexes from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The story unfolds in 1973, where Billie Jean King, portrayed by Emma Stone, has just achieved the remarkable title of the number one player in tennis. As this monumental moment plays out, Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell) watches from home, seeing Billie Jean receive a surprising phone call from none other than Richard Nixon. Amidst a dance with her husband Larry (Austin Stowell), Gladys Heldman (Sarah Silverman) barges in, furious over a letter from Jack Kramer (Bill Pullman). Billie Jean and Gladys confront Jack about the exclusion of female players from the Pacific Southwest Open, which they believe diminishes the sport’s appeal. Determined to fight back, Billie Jean and Gladys resolve to create their very own tournament dedicated solely to female athletes.

Full summary

The whole story of Battle of the Sexes, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Battle of the Sexes Box Office & Budget

Battle of the Sexes grossed $18.6 million worldwide on a $25 million budget, 74% of what it cost. $12.6 million came from the US and Canada and $6 million (32%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$18.6M

74% of its budget back

US & Canada
$12.6M
International
$6M
Budget
$25M
US & Canada 68% Rest of the world 32%
Awards

Battle of the Sexes Awards & Nominations

Battle of the Sexes earned 6 award nominations, including Best Actor in a Comedy Movie at the Critics' Choice 2018. The 6 nominations come from 4 ceremonies.

6 nominations4 ceremonies

Videos

Battle of the Sexes Trailers & Videos

25 videos: 2 trailers, 9 teasers, 3 clips, 4 featurettes and 7 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 25 videos
Official International Trailer
  • Trailer Trailer
  • Teaser "Man Vs Woman" TV Commercial
  • Teaser "Billie Jean King" TV Commercial
  • Teaser "A Champion Ahead Of Her Time" TV Commercial
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Battle of the Sexes?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who played the role of Billie Jean King?

Cars

Cars in Battle of the Sexes

6 cars on screen, including the 1976 Ford Pinto Wagon and the 1970 Pontiac LeMans.

All 6 cars
  • 1976 Ford Pinto Wagon in Battle of the Sexes 1976 Ford Pinto Wagon Important role
  • 1970 Pontiac LeMans in Battle of the Sexes 1970 Pontiac LeMans Important role
  • 1966 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow I in Battle of the Sexes 1966 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow I Important role
  • 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle in Battle of the Sexes 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Background role
Details

Battle of the Sexes Also Known As

29 alternative titles, including “胜负反手拍” and “KP18: Lyčių kova”.

Also known as
  • 胜负反手拍
  • KP18: Lyčių kova
  • La Bataille des Sexes
  • Սեռերի Պայքար
  • Битва статей
  • Ezeli Rekabet
  • La battaglia dei sessi
  • Битката на половете
  • Битва полов
  • Battle of the Sexes - Gegen jede Regel
  • La batalla de los sexos
  • Wojna płci
+17 more
  • 勝負反手拍
  • A Guerra dos Sexos
  • Η Μάχη Των Φύλων
  • Souboj pohlaví
  • 빌리 진 킹: 세기의 대결
  • A nemek harca
  • קרב המינים
  • 性别之战
  • Bătălia sexelor
  • Dzimumu cīņa
  • Lyčių kova
  • バトル・オブ・ザ・セクシーズ
  • 男女單打戰
  • Bitka med spoloma
  • แมทช์ท้าโลก
  • Súboj pohlaví
  • Cuộc Chiến Giới Tính

Seen Battle of the Sexes?

FAQ

Battle of the Sexes FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Battle of the Sexes, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Battle of the Sexes?

Battle of the Sexes runs 2 hours 1 minute (121 minutes).

When was Battle of the Sexes released?

Battle of the Sexes was released on September 22, 2017.

Who directed Battle of the Sexes?

Battle of the Sexes was directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris.

More films by Jonathan Dayton

Who is in the cast of Battle of the Sexes?

Battle of the Sexes stars Emma Stone as Billie Jean King, Steve Carell as Bobby Riggs and Elisabeth Shue as Priscilla Riggs, among 14 credited actors.

How much did Battle of the Sexes make at the box office?

Battle of the Sexes grossed $18.6 million worldwide ($12.6 million domestic, $6 million international) on a budget of $25 million.

How is Battle of the Sexes rated?

Battle of the Sexes has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 84% on Rotten Tomatoes, 73 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.

Was Battle of the Sexes nominated for any awards?

Battle of the Sexes received 6 nominations across 4 ceremonies.

Does Battle of the Sexes have a post-credit scene?

No. Battle of the Sexes has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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