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Action adventure film

Black Widow (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Black Widow (2021) movie poster

Black Widow is a 2021 action adventure film directed by Cate Shortland, starring Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff, Black Widow, Yolanda Lynes and David Harbour. It brings to the screen characters from Black Widow Modern Era Epic Collection: The Itsy-Bitsy Spider by Devin Grayson and Greg Rucka. It runs 2 hours 14 minutes and earned $379.8 million worldwide on a $200 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture at the Actor Awards (SAG) 2022.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
79%
worldwide gross
$379.8M
award nomination
1
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Black Widow (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 14m (134 min)
Director
Cate Shortland
Genres
Action , Adventure , Sci-Fi
Original language
English
Budget
$200M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Black Widow About?

The premise of Black Widow without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Haunted by her past, Natasha Romanoff is forced to confront a dangerous conspiracy that forces her to face long-buried secrets and deadly adversaries. As she delves deeper into the origins of her past, she uncovers a sinister plot and must confront the shadows that have shaped her into the Black Widow.

Black Widow Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • marvel cinematic universe
  • superheroine
  • based on comic book
  • superhero
  • spy
  • female assassin
  • based on comic
  • action heroine
  • female fighter
  • female warrior
  • f rated
  • avengers
+38 more
  • title directed by female
  • violence
  • female protagonist
  • two word title
  • color in title
  • tough girl
  • shared universe
  • female spy
  • black widow character
  • one woman army
  • one against many
  • girls with guns
  • tough woman
  • 2010s
  • 1990s
  • good versus evil
  • morocco
  • dangerous russian woman
  • superhero action
  • snow adventure
  • character name in title
  • title spoken by character
  • disney marvel
  • flash forward
  • female bonding
  • girl power
  • delayed release
  • russian accent
  • taskmaster character
  • red guardian character
  • spy training
  • russian spy
  • kicking
  • action girl
  • actress reprises previous role
  • woman fights a woman
  • tactical team
  • female tactical team member
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Cast & crew

Black Widow Cast & Characters

Scarlett Johansson leads the cast as Natasha Romanoff, Black Widow, with Yolanda Lynes as Widow and David Harbour as Alexei. Directed by Cate Shortland; 21 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Black Widow Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Black Widow 79% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 53/100, strongest in character & emotion (60) and weakest in story & flow (48).

53 /100

Black Widow Echo Score Breakdown

Black Widow delivers a mixed experience, balancing moments of effective performance with uneven narrative execution. Critics note strong chemistry between Johansson and Pugh and commend the film's fun action, yet they criticize a predictable third act and a thin story foundation. Audience reactions echo this split, praising emotional beats while finding the antagonist and visual polish lacking. Consequently, the film sits in the moderate range, offering occasional highlights but overall limited cohesion.

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

  • Art & Craft 50

    In terms of direction and visual craftsmanship, the film shows competence without distinction. Critics mention a messy third act and retroactive feel, while users describe the cinematography as okay and visual effects as unremarkable. The production design supports the spy aesthetic but fails to impress, leading to a modest assessment of the art and craft elements.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    Character work receives generally positive notes, especially for Johansson's nuanced portrayal and Pugh's witty performance. Critics highlight their chemistry as a satisfying core, and many viewers echo appreciation for these leads. However, criticism arises around shallow supporting roles and an uninspired villain, tempering the overall character impression to a solid but not exceptional level.

  • Story & Flow 48

    The narrative structure is perceived as uneven, with a predictable plot and a cluttered climax. Critics point to a barely present story and a missed opportunity in the third act, while users call the film generic and boring despite moments of emotional resonance. The pacing mixes effective chase sequences with familiar beats, resulting in a lukewarm story assessment.

  • Sensory Experience 50

    Sensory elements such as visual style and sound receive limited commentary, indicating average execution. Users remark on uninspired visual effects and occasional polished locations, while critics do not emphasize soundtrack or sound design. The action sequences are praised, yet the overall sensory impact remains modest and does not elevate the viewing experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    Rewatch potential is moderate, with some viewers finding lasting emotional beats and strong chemistry that merit a second look. Critics note the film's fun factor, yet both critics and audiences acknowledge its generic aspects and predictability, which may reduce repeat enjoyment. The balance of heartfelt moments against familiar formula leads to a slightly above‑average rewatch factor.

Plot

Black Widow Plot Summary & Ending Explained

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

Spoilers ahead

In 1995, super-soldier Alexei Shostakov (David Harbour), who serves as the Russian equivalent of Captain America and acts as a father figure to both Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) and Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), along with Black Widow Melina Vostokoff (Rachel Weisz), portray a seemingly ordinary family living in Ohio. However, their life is a facade as they work undercover for the Russian government. In their mission, they successfully steal S.H.I.E.L.D. intelligence and flee to Cuba, where they encounter their superior, General Dreykov (Ray Winstone). It is here that Romanoff and Belova are forcefully taken to the infamous Red Room for training. While Yelena eagerly anticipates the return, a reluctant Natasha feels heartbroken about leaving her home in Ohio and returning to the ruthless life in the Red Room.

Full summary

The whole story of Black Widow, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Black Widow Box Office & Budget

Black Widow grossed $379.8 million worldwide on a $200 million budget, 1.9 times what it cost. $183.7 million came from the US and Canada and $196.1 million (52%) from the rest of the world.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$379.8M

1.9× its budget

US & Canada
$183.7M
International
$196.1M
Budget
$200M
US & Canada 48% Rest of the world 52%
Awards

Black Widow Awards & Nominations

Black Widow earned 1 award nomination, including Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture at the Actor Awards (SAG) 2022.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Black Widow Trailers & Videos

46 videos: 3 trailers, 26 teasers, 7 clips and 10 featurettes.

All 46 videos
Official Teaser Trailer
  • Trailer Final Trailer
  • Trailer New Trailer
  • Teaser Special Look
  • Teaser Big Game Spot
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Black Widow?

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

In which year does the childhood segment of Black Widow take place?

Cars

Cars in Black Widow

97 cars on screen, including the 2020 BMW M235i Gran Coupé F44 and the 2020 BMW X3 G01.

All 97 cars
  • 2020 BMW M235i Gran Coupé F44 in Black Widow 2020 BMW M235i Gran Coupé F44 Important role
  • 2020 BMW X3 G01 in Black Widow 2020 BMW X3 G01 Important role
  • CCM Spitfire in Black Widow CCM Spitfire Important role
  • 1996 Chevrolet Suburban in Black Widow 1996 Chevrolet Suburban Important role
Details

Black Widow Also Known As

31 alternative titles, including “Góa Phụ Đen” and “마블 블랙 위도우”.

Also known as
  • Góa Phụ Đen
  • 마블 블랙 위도우
  • Must Lesk
  • Μαύρη Χήρα
  • 黑寡婦
  • Vejusha e zezë
  • 黑寡妇
  • Viúva Negra
  • Viuda negra
  • Чёрная вдова
  • Черната вдовица, შავი ქვრივი
  • 블랙 위도우
+19 more
  • Fekete Özvegy
  • Juodoji Nasle
  • แบล็ค วิโดว์
  • Czarna Wdowa
  • Чорна вдова
  • האלמנה השחורה
  • Qora Beva
  • Black Widow: Góa Phụ Đen
  • Црна удовица
  • ブラック・ウィドウ
  • ब्लैक विडो
  • Juodoji našlė
  • الأرملة السوداء
  • Črna vdova
  • بیوه سیاه
  • Văduva Neagră
  • Melnā atraitne
  • Vídua Negra
  • Црната Вдовица

Seen Black Widow?

FAQ

Black Widow FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

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

How long is Black Widow?

Black Widow runs 2 hours 14 minutes (134 minutes).

When was Black Widow released?

Black Widow was released on July 9, 2021.

Who directed Black Widow?

Black Widow was directed by Cate Shortland.

More films by Cate Shortland

Who is in the cast of Black Widow?

Black Widow stars Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff, Black Widow, Yolanda Lynes as Widow and David Harbour as Alexei, among 21 credited actors.

How much did Black Widow make at the box office?

Black Widow grossed $379.8 million worldwide ($183.7 million domestic, $196.1 million international) on a budget of $200 million.

How is Black Widow rated?

Black Widow has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 79% on Rotten Tomatoes, 68 on Metacritic and 72% on TMDB.

Was Black Widow nominated for any awards?

Black Widow received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does Black Widow have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Black Widow has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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