Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Biographical drama

J. Edgar (2011): Ratings, Box Office & Plot

J. Edgar (2011) movie poster

J. Edgar is a 2011 biographical drama. It runs 2 hours 17 minutes and earned $84.9 million worldwide on a $35 million budget. It earned 5 award nominations, including Best Actor at the Critics' Choice 2012. Critics gave it 44% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10.

IMDb rating
6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
44%
worldwide gross
$84.9M
award nominations
5
Loading streaming availability…
J. Edgar (2011) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 17m (137 min)
Genres
Biography , Drama
Original language
English
Budget
$35M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is J. Edgar About?

The premise of J. Edgar without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

The enigmatic J. Edgar Hoover shaped America's law enforcement for almost fifty years, commanding respect and controversy in equal measure. This film explores the complexities of his life, revealing the secrets and personal struggles he concealed behind a carefully constructed image of authority. It delves into the inner workings of the FBI under his leadership and examines the personal demons that threatened to unravel his carefully controlled world.

J. Edgar Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • fbi director
  • abuse of power
  • j. edgar hoover character
  • american history
  • fbi federal bureau of investigation
  • anti communist
  • bureaucrat
  • bureaucracy
  • fbi investigation
  • fbi agent
  • secret recording
  • homosexuality
+38 more
  • gay kiss
  • closeted homosexual
  • gay relationship
  • gay
  • gay interest
  • united states of america
  • man wears woman's clothing
  • voice over narration
  • adult child lives at home
  • state employee
  • bureau
  • 20th century history
  • american politics
  • u.s. politician
  • fanatic
  • office work
  • u.s. government
  • american criminal
  • gay protagonist
  • gay title character
  • gay character
  • investigation
  • secret
  • agent
  • government
  • anarchist
  • friend
  • secret file
  • personal secretary
  • envy
  • hatred
  • aging
  • notoriety
  • mama's boy
  • fingerprint
  • politics
  • power
  • index card
Loading streaming availability…
Ratings

J. Edgar Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave J. Edgar 44% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10.

Plot

J. Edgar Plot Summary

What happens in J. Edgar from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

J. Edgar Hoover, portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio, is found in his office during his later years, reflecting on a past filled with ambition and turmoil. He invites a writer, played by Ed Westwick, into his office to share the foundational story of the FBI with the public. Hoover reveals that this tale begins in the year 1919 under Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer, who, amidst political unrest, survives an assassination attempt when a bomb detonates prematurely. This pivotal moment marks the start of Hoover’s journey into the realm of criminal science, prompting him to realize the vital need for meticulous crime scene investigation methods.

Full summary

The whole story of J. Edgar, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

J. Edgar Box Office & Budget

J. Edgar grossed $84.9 million worldwide on a $35 million budget, 2.4 times what it cost. $37.3 million came from the US and Canada and $47.6 million (56%) from the rest of the world.

2011 box office

Worldwide gross

$84.9M

2.4× its budget

US & Canada
$37.3M
International
$47.6M
Budget
$35M
US & Canada 44% Rest of the world 56%
Awards

J. Edgar Awards & Nominations

J. Edgar earned 5 award nominations, including Best Actor at the Critics' Choice 2012. The 5 nominations come from 3 ceremonies.

5 nominations3 ceremonies

Videos

J. Edgar Trailers & Videos

The trailer of J. Edgar.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know J. Edgar?

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 plays the role of J. Edgar Hoover in the film?

Cars

Cars in J. Edgar

28 cars on screen, including the 1931 Dodge Eight and the 1931 Ford Model A.

All 28 cars
  • 1931 Dodge Eight in J. Edgar 1931 Dodge Eight Important role
  • 1931 Ford Model A in J. Edgar 1931 Ford Model A Important role
  • 1931 Chevrolet Independence in J. Edgar 1931 Chevrolet Independence Minor role
  • 1930 Ford Model A in J. Edgar 1930 Ford Model A Minor role

Seen J. Edgar?

FAQ

J. Edgar FAQ: Box Office, Awards & Runtime

Runtime, release date, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of J. Edgar, each answered in a sentence.

How long is J. Edgar?

J. Edgar runs 2 hours 17 minutes (137 minutes).

When was J. Edgar released?

J. Edgar was released on November 9, 2011.

How much did J. Edgar make at the box office?

J. Edgar grossed $84.9 million worldwide ($37.3 million domestic, $47.6 million international) on a budget of $35 million.

How is J. Edgar rated?

J. Edgar has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 44% on Rotten Tomatoes, 59 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.

Was J. Edgar nominated for any awards?

J. Edgar received 5 nominations across 3 ceremonies.

Does J. Edgar have a post-credit scene?

No. J. Edgar has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app