Lady Bird (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Lady Bird is a 2017 comedy drama starring Saoirse Ronan as Lady Bird McPherson, Tracy Letts and Jordan Rodrigues. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes and earned $79 million worldwide on a $10 million budget. It won 3 awards from 29 nominations, among them 5 Oscar nominations. Critics gave it 99% on Rotten Tomatoes and 93 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10.
What Is Lady Bird About?
The premise of Lady Bird without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In 2002 Sacramento, Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson experiences a complicated and often strained relationship with her mother, a nurse working hard to support the family following her father's job loss. Yearning for independence and a future beyond her hometown, Lady Bird explores friendships, romantic interests, and various extracurricular activities while trying to define her own identity. The film portrays her journey of self-discovery amidst the challenges of adolescence and the changing dynamics within her family.
Lady Bird Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- teenage girl
- mother daughter relationship
- sacramento california
- coming of age
- loss of virginity
- mother daughter conflict
- prom
- catholic school
- jumping out of a moving car
- high school
- teen sex
- gay boyfriend
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- female protagonist
- friendship
- high school graduation
- year 2002
- girl on top sex
- closeted homosexual
- going away to college
- school uniform
- high school musical
- father daughter relationship
- best friend
- given name
- title directed by female
- new york city
- graduation cap and gown
- broken arm
- nosebleed
- friendship between girls
- gay character
- family relationships
- rebellious teenager
- 2000s
- first time sex
- shakespeare's the tempest
- teen angst
- poor family
- teenage girl as protagonist
- f rated
- triple f rated
- reference to alanis morissette
- reference to john steinbeck
- teenage boy
- year 2003
- attitude
- teen partying
- airport
- airplane
- classroom
Lady Bird Cast & Characters
Saoirse Ronan leads the cast as Lady Bird McPherson, with Tracy Letts as Larry McPherson and Jordan Rodrigues as Miguel McPherson.
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Saoirse Ronan as Lady Bird McPherson -
Tracy Letts as Larry McPherson -
Jordan Rodrigues as Miguel McPherson -
Beanie Feldstein as Julie Steffans
Also Starring in Lady Bird
· 12 more- Lucas Hedges Danny O'Neill
- Laurie Metcalf Marion McPherson
- Timothée Chalamet Kyle Scheible
- Odeya Rush Jenna Walton
- Lois Smith Sister Sarah Joan
- Andy Buckley Uncle Matthew
- Laura Marano Diana Greenway
- Jake McDorman Mr. Bruno
- Kathryn Newton
- Danielle Macdonald
- Kristen Cloke Ms. Steffans
- Stephen Henderson
Lady Bird Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Lady Bird 99% on Rotten Tomatoes and 93 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 85/100, strongest in character & emotion (92) and weakest in rewatch factor (75).
Lady Bird Echo Score Breakdown
Lady Bird demonstrates notable strength in performance and emotional authenticity, balanced by occasional reliance on familiar tropes. Critics and viewers highlight the assured direction and warm cinematography alongside dynamic mother-daughter conflicts. The narrative’s blend of humor and drama resonates through nuanced dialogue and everyday settings. While some note the conventional texture and occasional pacing lulls, the film maintains a cohesive voice. Overall, Lady Bird leaves a largely uplifting impression with enduring emotional resonance.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 85
In terms of direction and visual craft, Lady Bird exhibits a confident and distinctive style. Critics praise the framing and production details that underscore suburban life and emotional nuance. The editing is seamless, guiding tonal shifts from humor to drama without jarring transitions. Some note a conventional texture, yet the measured pacing and thoughtful composition create a cohesive visual identity. The overall design enriches the narrative.
- Character & Emotion 92
When it comes to character depth and emotional resonance, Lady Bird offers compelling performances anchored by Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf. Reviewers highlight the nuanced mother-daughter dynamic and authentic chemistry, capturing generational tension and affection. Supporting roles deliver understated moments that enhance familial realism. While a few mention occasional reliance on archetypal tropes, the ensemble’s heartfelt portrayals drive the film’s emotional core. The characters remain memorable.
- Story & Flow 80
In terms of storytelling and pacing, Lady Bird balances humor and drama through a semi-autobiographical lens. Critics praise its engaging plot flow and relatable teenage dilemmas, though some note familiar coming-of-age elements. The script’s wit and introspective dialogue maintain momentum, even when events follow expected patterns. Early acts open energetically, while the final tone wavers between resolution and ambiguity. The narrative sustains interest with personal authenticity.
- Sensory Experience 80
From a sensory perspective, Lady Bird delivers an understated yet effective soundtrack and sound design that support each scene’s mood. The musical choices underscore emotional beats without overwhelming, while ambient audio enhances domestic settings. Visually, the film employs a warm color palette and naturalistic lighting that convey mid-2000s suburban life. Although some viewers find the cinematography straightforward, the cohesive audiovisual approach amplifies emotional engagement throughout.
- Rewatch Factor 75
Regarding replay value, Lady Bird offers strong appeal for revisiting, driven by its nuanced dialogue and emotionally resonant scenes. Viewers appreciate rediscovering subtle performances and new emotional layers with each viewing. The film’s blend of humor and reflection remains engaging, though occasional narrative familiarity slightly tempers the experience. Despite this, the authenticity of character interactions and thematic depth encourage multiple viewings. The lasting appeal secures its place in personal collections.
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IMDb 7.4 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 99% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 79%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 93 Metascore
User score 7.7
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 73% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.8 /5
79K ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.4 /5
See on Movie Insider
Lady Bird Plot Summary
What happens in Lady Bird from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson, portrayed by Saoirse Ronan, is a high school senior navigating her final year at a Catholic school in Sacramento during the year 2002. Living with her parents, she is often at odds with them, alongside her older brother, who is adopted, and his girlfriend. Lady Bird shares an unshakeable bond with her best friend, Julianne “Julie” Steffans, and together, they dive into their school’s theater program. It is there that Lady Bird encounters Danny O’Neill, played by Lucas Hedges, sparking a romance that even leads her to choose Danny’s family Thanksgiving dinner over her own.
Full summary
The whole story of Lady Bird, scene by scene
Lady Bird Box Office & Budget
Lady Bird grossed $79 million worldwide on a $10 million budget, 7.9 times what it cost. $49 million came from the US and Canada and $30 million (38%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$79M
7.9× its budget
- US & Canada
- $49M
- International
- $30M
- Budget
- $10M
Lady Bird Awards & Nominations
Lady Bird won 3 awards from 29 nominations, among them 5 Oscar nominations.
3 wins29 nominations8 ceremonies
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Spirit Awards 2018 1 win · 4 nominations- Won Best Screenplay – Greta Gerwig
- Nominated Best Feature
- Nominated Best Female Lead – Saoirse Ronan
- Nominated Best Supporting Female – Laurie Metcalf
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Golden Globes 2018 1 win · 4 nominations- Won Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy – Saoirse Ronan
- Nominated Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
- Nominated Best Screenplay – Greta Gerwig
- Nominated Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama, Musical or Comedy – Laurie Metcalf
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Artios Awards 2018 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Studio or Independent – Comedy
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Critics' Choice 2018 8 nominations- Nominated Best Acting Ensemble
- Nominated Best Actress – Saoirse Ronan
- Nominated Best Actress in a Comedy Movie – Saoirse Ronan
- Nominated Best Comedy
- Nominated Best Director – Greta Gerwig
Show all 8 ceremonies Show fewer ceremonies
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Oscars 2018 5 nominations- Nominated Actress in a Leading Role – Saoirse Ronan
- Nominated Actress in a Supporting Role – Laurie Metcalf
- Nominated Best Picture
- Nominated Directing – Greta Gerwig
- Nominated Writing (Original Screenplay) – Greta Gerwig
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Actor Awards (SAG) 2018 3 nominations- Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
- Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role – Saoirse Ronan
- Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role – Laurie Metcalf
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BAFTA 2018 3 nominations- Nominated Best Actress in a Leading Role – Saoirse Ronan
- Nominated Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Laurie Metcalf
- Nominated Best Original Screenplay – Greta Gerwig
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DGA Awards 2018 1 nomination- Nominated Feature Film – Greta Gerwig
Lady Bird Trailers & Videos
19 videos: 1 trailer, 8 teasers, 2 clips and 8 featurettes.
- Teaser Playgirl
- Teaser Fly
- Teaser Give Thanks
- Teaser Perfect
How Well Do You Know Lady Bird?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is Christine's nickname in the film?
Cars in Lady Bird
20 cars on screen, including the 1990 Toyota Camry and the 2000 BMW 323i E46.
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1990 Toyota Camry Important role -
2000 BMW 323i E46 Minor role -
1992 Ford F-350 Minor role -
1999 Honda Odyssey Minor role
Lady Bird Also Known As
18 alternative titles, including “Леді-птах” and “Lady Bird - A Hora de Voar”.
- Also known as
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- Леді-птах
- Lady Bird - A Hora de Voar
- 레이디 버드
- Uğur Böceği
- کفشدوزک
- Леди Бёрд
- 淑女鳥
- Лейди Бърд
- 伯德小姐
- Леді Бьорд
- Πασχαλίτσα
- Boružėlė
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- ליידי בירד
- レディ・バード
- 不得鳥小姐
- Tuổi Nổi Loạn, ლედი ბერდი
- เลดี้ เบิร์ด
- Bubamara
Seen Lady Bird?
Movies Like Lady Bird
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Ladybird Ladybird, Lady-Like and Lady Driver.
Articles About Lady Bird
8 articles about Lady Bird. The latest: “The Legacy of Cult Directors and Their Impact on Cinema”.
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Lady Bird FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Lady Bird, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Lady Bird?
Lady Bird runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).
When was Lady Bird released?
Lady Bird was released on November 3, 2017.
Who is in the cast of Lady Bird?
Lady Bird stars Saoirse Ronan as Lady Bird McPherson, Tracy Letts as Larry McPherson and Jordan Rodrigues as Miguel McPherson, among 16 credited actors.
How much did Lady Bird make at the box office?
Lady Bird grossed $79 million worldwide ($49 million domestic, $30 million international) on a budget of $10 million.
How is Lady Bird rated?
Lady Bird has 7.4/10 on IMDb, 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, 93 on Metacritic and 73% on TMDB.
What awards did Lady Bird win?
Lady Bird won 3 awards from 29 nominations, including Best Screenplay at the Spirit Awards 2018.
Does Lady Bird have a post-credit scene?
No. Lady Bird has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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