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Biographical drama

Green Book (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Green Book (2018) movie poster

Green Book is a 2018 biographical drama directed by Peter Farrelly, starring Viggo Mortensen as Tony Lip, Linda Cardellini and Mahershala Ali. It runs 2 hours 10 minutes and earned $321.8 million worldwide on a $23 million budget. It won 3 Oscars, including Best Picture and Actor in a Supporting Role, and 11 awards in all. Critics gave it 77% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.2/10.

IMDb rating
8.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
77%
worldwide gross
$321.8M
Oscars won
3
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Green Book (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 10m (130 min)
Director
Peter Farrelly
Genres
Biography , Drama , History , Comedy
Original language
English
Budget
$23M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Green Book About?

The premise of Green Book without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In 1962, Italian-American bouncer Tony Lip accompanies acclaimed African-American pianist Dr. Don Shirley on a concert tour through the Deep South. Guided by the "Green Book," a directory of establishments that serve Black travelers, the unlikely pair encounters prejudice and discrimination while forging an unexpected bond. Through their shared experiences, they discover common ground and challenge their preconceived notions, finding humor and humanity amidst the racial tensions of the era.

Green Book Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • on the road
  • racism
  • fried chicken
  • jail
  • piano
  • pianist
  • racially segregated restroom
  • road movie
  • chauffeur
  • road trip
  • friendship
  • cutty sark whiskey
+38 more
  • travel
  • driving
  • gay
  • year 1962
  • driving a car
  • buddy movie
  • negro motorist green book
  • picking up litter
  • magical negro stereotype
  • jazz piano
  • employer employee friendship
  • 1960s
  • musician
  • segregation
  • christmas
  • closeted gay man
  • hotel
  • african american
  • black american
  • race relations
  • kentucky fried chicken
  • snow
  • snowing
  • musical trio
  • reference to little richard
  • reference to sam cooke
  • reference to aretha franklin
  • italian american
  • ymca
  • implied male nudity
  • writing a letter
  • reference to robert f. kennedy
  • pizza
  • assaulting a police officer
  • travel guide book
  • family dinner
  • playing piano
  • racial discrimination
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Cast & crew

Green Book Cast & Characters

Viggo Mortensen leads the cast as Tony Lip, with Linda Cardellini as Dolores and Mahershala Ali as Dr. Donald Shirley. Directed by Peter Farrelly; 20 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Peter Farrelly

More films directed by Peter Farrelly, best-rated first: Dumb and Dumber, Stuck on You, Osmosis Jones and Kingpin.

Full filmography
Ratings

Green Book Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Green Book 77% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in story & flow (70).

80 /100

Green Book Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Green Book showcases strong performances with a widely engaging tone. Its narrative structure and production values contribute to a compelling viewing experience, though it occasionally leans on familiar tropes. While the friendship arc draws sincere emotion, the scripting sometimes defaults to predictable beats. The direction delivers a polished period atmosphere, supported by a warm soundtrack and measured pacing. In sum, these elements cohere into an enjoyable drama that, despite some unevenness, resonates on a personal level.

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

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of art direction, Green Book delivers a polished period atmosphere. Critics note the film’s restrained visual style, with measured framing and an understated color palette that evokes the 1960s without distraction. The editing transitions smoothly between road-trip episodes and set pieces, maintaining clarity. Production design consistently grounds each setting from Jim Crow establishments to concert halls in authentic detail. Overall, the craft supports the narrative unobtrusively.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    Character and emotional depth stand out through the leads’ performances. Reviews consistently praise Mahershala Ali’s nuanced portrayal and Viggo Mortensen’s dynamic chemistry, which elevates their friendship arc. While some critics found early interactions uneven, the actors’ mutual development fosters genuine warmth and resonance. Emotional beats between conflict and reconciliation feel earned. In conclusion, the central relationship provides the film’s most compelling source of engagement.

  • Story & Flow 70

    In terms of story and pacing, Green Book follows a familiar road-trip template with measured momentum. Critics acknowledge its inspirational narrative but note occasional reliance on predictable beats and a repetitive focus on racial tension. The screenplay balances humor and social commentary, though some viewers find the resolution underwhelming. Despite these elements, the progression maintains engagement through its evolving relationship. Overall, the plot delivers an accessible yet moderately uneven flow.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    In terms of sensory experience, Green Book offers a warm soundtrack and clear sound design that complement its period setting. Reviews describe the score as understated yet effective, supporting both comedic moments and reflective scenes. Visual style employs a muted palette to reinforce the historical context without drawing attention away from the characters. The cohesive audio-visual approach enhances immersion. In sum, sensory elements bolster the film’s tone.

  • Rewatch Factor 72

    In terms of rewatch value, Green Book offers enduring appeal through its lead performances and approachable themes. Several reviewers highlight its warmth and humor as features that invite subsequent viewings, particularly in group or family settings. However, some find the familiar structure and predictable resolution limit replayability. While the film maintains a pleasant tone on return, its moderate narrative novelty tempers long-term rewatch enthusiasm.

Plot

Green Book Plot Summary

What happens in Green Book 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

New York City bouncer Frank “Tony Lip” Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen) finds himself in search of a new job after the nightclub he works at is temporarily closed for renovations. Although he harbors racial prejudices, his wife Dolores (Linda Cardellini) does not share his views. In a fortunate twist, Tony receives an invitation for an interview with Dr. Donald Shirley (Mahershala Ali), a talented African American pianist in need of a driver for an extensive eight-week concert tour through the Deep South. Don decides to hire Tony based on his strong references, and they set off with the intention of returning to New York by Christmas Eve.

Full summary

The whole story of Green Book, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Green Book Box Office & Budget

Green Book grossed $321.8 million worldwide on a $23 million budget, 14 times what it cost. $85.1 million came from the US and Canada and $236.7 million (74%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$321.8M

14× its budget

US & Canada
$85.1M
International
$236.7M
Budget
$23M
US & Canada 26% Rest of the world 74%
Awards

Green Book Awards & Nominations

Green Book won 3 Oscars, including Best Picture and Actor in a Supporting Role, and 11 awards in all.

11 wins26 nominations8 ceremonies

Show all 8 ceremonies
Videos

Green Book Trailers & Videos

11 videos: 1 trailer, 6 teasers, 3 clips and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

All 11 videos
Official Trailer
  • Teaser TV Spot - Dignity
  • Teaser GREEN BOOK | Official 'Experience' TV Spot [HD]
  • Teaser GREEN BOOK | Official 'Acclaim' TV Spot [HD]
  • Teaser GREEN BOOK | Official 'Courage' TV Spot [HD]
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Green Book?

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

What is Tony Vallelonga's nickname?

Cars

Cars in Green Book

32 cars on screen, including the 1962 Cadillac Sedan DeVille and the 1964 Chevrolet Bel Air.

All 32 cars
  • 1962 Cadillac Sedan DeVille in Green Book 1962 Cadillac Sedan DeVille Main role
  • 1964 Chevrolet Bel Air in Green Book 1964 Chevrolet Bel Air Minor role
  • 1954 Packard Clipper in Green Book 1954 Packard Clipper Minor role
  • 1963 Pontiac Star Chief in Green Book 1963 Pontiac Star Chief Minor role

Seen Green Book?

FAQ

Green Book FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

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

How long is Green Book?

Green Book runs 2 hours 10 minutes (130 minutes).

When was Green Book released?

Green Book was released on November 16, 2018.

Who directed Green Book?

Green Book was directed by Peter Farrelly.

More films by Peter Farrelly

Who is in the cast of Green Book?

Green Book stars Viggo Mortensen as Tony Lip, Linda Cardellini as Dolores and Mahershala Ali as Dr. Donald Shirley, among 20 credited actors.

How much did Green Book make at the box office?

Green Book grossed $321.8 million worldwide ($85.1 million domestic, $236.7 million international) on a budget of $23 million.

How is Green Book rated?

Green Book has 8.2/10 on IMDb, 77% on Rotten Tomatoes, 69 on Metacritic and 82% on TMDB.

What awards did Green Book win?

Green Book won 11 awards from 26 nominations, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes 2019.

Does Green Book have a post-credit scene?

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

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