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Biographical musical

Judy (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Judy (2019) movie poster

Judy is a 2019 biographical musical directed by Rupert Goold, starring Renée Zellweger as Judy Garland, Finn Wittrock and Darci Shaw. It runs 1 hour 58 minutes and earned $46 million worldwide on a $10 million budget. It won 1 Oscar, including Actress in a Leading Role, and 6 awards in all. Critics gave it 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.

IMDb rating
6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
82%
worldwide gross
$46M
Oscar won
1
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Judy (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 58m (118 min)
Director
Rupert Goold
Original language
English
Budget
$10M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Judy About?

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

In 1968, legendary performer Judy Garland arrives in London for a series of concerts at The Talk of the Town. As she prepares for the sold-out run, her extraordinary talent and sense of humor are evident, even as she battles challenges with management and confronts personal struggles. A burgeoning romance with Mickey Deans provides a brief respite, showcasing her enduring wit and warmth, and suggesting that the possibility of love remains.

Judy Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • concert
  • london england
  • alcoholic
  • gay couple
  • judy garland character
  • gay character
  • year 1968
  • ex husband ex wife relationship
  • sleeplessness
  • younger version of character
  • pill addiction
  • marriage
+38 more
  • 1930s
  • 1960s
  • film set
  • year 1969
  • liza minnelli character
  • winter
  • performer
  • singer
  • singing
  • song
  • microphone
  • mother daughter relationship
  • mother son relationship
  • drug use
  • telephone
  • telephone call
  • hotel
  • hotel desk clerk
  • drink
  • drinking
  • dressing room
  • backstage
  • omelet
  • flashback
  • flash forward
  • applause
  • talk of the town theatre london
  • booing
  • falling to the ground
  • theatre box office
  • party
  • montage
  • chorus line
  • dancer
  • dancing
  • rehearsal
  • eating
  • alcoholism
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Cast & crew

Judy Cast & Characters

Renée Zellweger leads the cast as Judy Garland, with Finn Wittrock as Mickey Deans and Darci Shaw as Young Judy. Directed by Rupert Goold; 21 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Rupert Goold

More films directed by Rupert Goold, best-rated first: True Story, Albion, King Charles III and Almeida Theatre Live: Richard III.

Full filmography
Ratings

Judy Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Judy 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in story & flow (60).

75 /100

Judy Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of its overall impact, Judy benefits strongly from its lead performance but is held back by conventional biopic pacing. Viewers and critics alike applaud Renée Zellweger’s immersion into Garland’s persona, yet the narrative follows a predictable flashback structure that limits deeper exploration of the subject’s life. Positive reactions to the film’s musical numbers and design provide balance to comments about the story’s familiarity. On balance, Judy offers a respectful homage with standout acting but only modest narrative innovation.

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

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of art and craft, Judy presents a competent but occasionally understated visual style. Production design and costuming received praise for period authenticity, and moments of creative camera work add visual interest. Some reviewers found the editing choices conventional, noting the film’s tribute-like stylization over bold directorial flair. Overall, the film maintains solid technical polish without venturing into distinctive visual innovation.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When it comes to character and emotion, Judy is defined by Renée Zellweger’s deep and nuanced performance. Critics consistently highlight her ability to channel Garland’s vulnerability and stage presence, grounding the film emotionally. Other participants noted limited development of supporting figures and a focus on the lead that occasionally leaves relational dynamics underexplored. Ultimately, the central portrayal delivers strong emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 60

    Concerning story and flow, Judy adheres to a familiar biopic structure that some viewers find predictable. While flashback sequences highlight key moments in Garland’s life, critics point to uneven pacing and a lack of deeper narrative originality. The film’s chronology sometimes feels compressed, and the focus on decline over early career stages reduces plot coherence. On the whole, the story offers a respectful but conventional arc.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In sensory terms, Judy delivers a compelling auditory and visual experience. The musical numbers and score received consistent praise for capturing Garland’s emotional intensity, and the film’s sound design supports performance moments effectively. Visual styling, including period-appropriate sets and makeup, also earned positive remarks. Combined, these elements reinforce the film’s immersive atmosphere and emotional beats.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    In terms of rewatch factor, Judy offers moments of engagement for fans of Garland and musical biography enthusiasts. The strength of the central performance and memorable songs encourage repeated viewings, though some viewers note the narrative’s conventional arc limits fresh discoveries on subsequent watches. Overall, the film provides moderate lasting appeal, particularly for admirers of the lead performance.

Plot

Judy Plot Summary

What happens in Judy 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 film begins with a young Judy Garland, portrayed by Darci Shaw, on the set of the iconic ‘THE WIZARD OF OZ’ in 1939. Here, she is shadowing the MGM studio head, [Louis B. com/name/nm0560232/). During their conversation, Louis tells Judy that while numerous girls may look better than her, they lack what she possesses: a voice that can touch people’s hearts. Yet, he suggests that if she desires an ordinary life—like working in a restaurant or being a home-maker—she is free to walk away. Judy, feeling remorseful over her longing for a “normal” existence, expresses that a night out at the theater might be beneficial. Louis, however, scoffs, implying that he could easily replace her with Shirley Temple.

Full summary

The whole story of Judy, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Judy Box Office & Budget

Judy grossed $46 million worldwide on a $10 million budget, 4.6 times what it cost. $24.3 million came from the US and Canada and $21.4 million (47%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$46M

4.6× its budget

US & Canada
$24.3M
International
$21.4M
Budget
$10M
US & Canada 53% Rest of the world 47%
Awards

Judy Awards & Nominations

Judy won 1 Oscar, including Actress in a Leading Role, and 6 awards in all. Its biggest night was the BAFTA 2020, with 1 win from 3 nominations.

6 wins11 nominations7 ceremonies

Show all 7 ceremonies
Videos

Judy Trailers & Videos

18 videos: 1 trailer, 9 teasers, 7 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

All 18 videos
UK Main Trailer
  • Teaser Official Teaser Trailer
  • Teaser Official Digital Spot "Showstopping" :30
  • Teaser Official Digital Spot "Her Story" :30
  • Teaser Official Digital Spot "Performance Narrated Cutdown" 15
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Judy?

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 film open with a young Judy Garland visiting MGM?

Cars

Cars in Judy

6 cars on screen, including the 1959 Austin FX4 and the 1971 Austin FX4.

All 6 cars
  • 1959 Austin FX4 in Judy 1959 Austin FX4 Minor role
  • 1971 Austin FX4 in Judy 1971 Austin FX4 Minor role
  • 1963 Buick LeSabre in Judy 1963 Buick LeSabre Minor role
  • 1972 Daimler Limousine in Judy 1972 Daimler Limousine Minor role
Details

Judy Also Known As

15 alternative titles, including “Judy - Muito Além do Arco-Íris” and “주디”.

Also known as
  • Judy - Muito Além do Arco-Íris
  • 주디
  • Джуди
  • Джуді, ჯუდი
  • Τζούντι
  • 朱迪
  • Judy: Por Trás do Arco-Iris
  • Џуди
  • 茱蒂
  • 星夢女神 : 茱地嘉蘭
  • ג'ודי: מעבר לקשת
  • ジュディ 虹の彼方に
+3 more
  • จูดี้
  • Džudi
  • Džūdija

Seen Judy?

FAQ

Judy FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

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

How long is Judy?

Judy runs 1 hour 58 minutes (118 minutes).

When was Judy released?

Judy was released on September 27, 2019.

Who directed Judy?

Judy was directed by Rupert Goold.

More films by Rupert Goold

Who is in the cast of Judy?

Judy stars Renée Zellweger as Judy Garland, Finn Wittrock as Mickey Deans and Darci Shaw as Young Judy, among 21 credited actors.

How much did Judy make at the box office?

Judy grossed $46 million worldwide ($24.3 million domestic, $21.4 million international) on a budget of $10 million.

How is Judy rated?

Judy has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.

What awards did Judy win?

Judy won 6 awards from 11 nominations, including Best Actress in a Leading Role at the BAFTA 2020.

Does Judy have a post-credit scene?

No. Judy has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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