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Biographical musical

Rocketman (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Rocketman (2019) movie poster

Rocketman is a 2019 biographical musical directed by Dexter Fletcher, starring Taron Egerton as Elton John, Jamie Bell and Bryce Dallas Howard. It runs 2 hours 1 minute and earned $195.3 million worldwide on a $40 million budget. It won 3 awards from 12 nominations, including Best Original Song at the Golden Globes 2020. Critics gave it 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10. Stream it on Hoopla and Kanopy, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
89%
worldwide gross
$195.3M
awards won
3
Rocketman (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 1m (121 min)
Director
Dexter Fletcher
Genres
Biography , Drama , Fantasy , Music
Original language
English
Budget
$40M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Rocketman About?

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

This film chronicles the journey of a young, shy pianist named Reginald Dwight as he blossoms into the legendary Elton John. Through a creative partnership with lyricist Bernie Taupin, he rises to international superstardom during the vibrant 1970s. The story follows his fantastical rise, showcasing the creation of his iconic songs and exploring the experiences that shaped his persona and career, from early struggles to global recognition.

Rocketman Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • gay man
  • musician
  • gay kiss
  • gay protagonist
  • addiction
  • gay relationship
  • homosexuality
  • gay character
  • pop music
  • substance abuse
  • drug use
  • homosexual
+38 more
  • homosexual kiss
  • homosexual relationship
  • rock star
  • gay sex
  • pianist
  • flamboyance
  • title based on song
  • los angeles california
  • london england
  • name change
  • father son relationship
  • mother son relationship
  • coming out
  • group therapy
  • gay interest
  • recording artist
  • gay scene
  • gay
  • gay cinema
  • gay title character
  • gay slur
  • costume
  • piano
  • rock 'n' roll
  • singing in a car
  • bromance
  • partnership
  • concert
  • composing music
  • writing music
  • fantasy sequence
  • piano playing
  • anger
  • musician as protagonist
  • fame and fortune
  • younger version of character
  • songwriter
  • record label
Where to watch

Where to Watch Rocketman

Stream it on Hoopla and Kanopy, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Rocketman Cast & Characters

Taron Egerton leads the cast as Elton John, with Jamie Bell as Bernie Taupin and Bryce Dallas Howard as Sheila. Directed by Dexter Fletcher; 29 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Rocketman Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Rocketman 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in story & flow (65).

80 /100

Rocketman Echo Score Breakdown

Rocketman delivers a dynamic blend of striking visuals and a compelling lead performance, though its storytelling at times adheres closely to genre conventions. The film’s energetic musical sequences and grounded fantastical elements earn praise for creativity and coherence. However, critics note uneven pacing in the latter half and moments of formulaic biopic structure. Overall, Rocketman offers an engaging emotional experience anchored by style and performance, despite occasional narrative predictability.

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 art and craft, Rocketman excels with a vibrant visual style and confident direction. The cinematography embraces both grounded realism and surreal fantasy sequences, creating balanced contrasts that rarely feel jarring. Production design supports the musical numbers with immersive period details and measured editing keeps scenes focused. Overall, the film’s visual execution stands out as one of its most consistent achievements.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character and emotion, the lead performance provides the film’s greatest strength. Taron Egerton’s portrayal is noted for its sincerity and emotional nuance, anchoring both high-energy musical moments and more introspective scenes. Supporting roles add depth, though some viewers crave fuller exploration of early relationships. In balance, the film’s character work resonates strongly and delivers memorable emotional engagement.

  • Story & Flow 65

    Regarding story and flow, Rocketman offers a largely coherent narrative but leans on familiar biopic conventions. The pacing accelerates during rise-to-fame sequences but can feel rushed when addressing pivotal life events, resulting in occasional narrative unevenness. While formal touches inject originality, the overall structure follows predictable milestones. Ultimately, the film remains engaging but stops short of fully breaking new ground in its storytelling approach.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In terms of sensory experience, the soundtrack and sound design enrich every musical number with immersive energy. The score selections underscore emotional beats and the production maintains clear, vibrant audio mixing throughout. Visually, the film harmonizes an understated color palette with bold choreography, maintaining coherence across diverse sequences. Taken together, these elements create a lively audiovisual presentation that strongly supports the cinematic fantasy.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    With respect to rewatch factor, Rocketman offers lasting appeal through its musical creativity and emotional highlights. The film’s standout performances and inventive production details reward repeat viewings, even as certain narrative shortcuts become more apparent. Fans of the genre and of Elton John’s music will discover new visual and musical nuances on subsequent watches. In sum, the film remains enjoyable and retains sufficient charm to merit multiple viewings.

Plot

Rocketman Plot Summary

What happens in Rocketman 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

Dressed in a flamboyant devil’s outfit, Elton John (Taron Egerton) arrives at an addiction rehabilitation session and begins to narrate his life story through a series of vivid flashbacks. Born as Reginald Dwight, he grows up in 1950s England under the care of his emotionally distant mother, Sheila (Bryce Dallas Howard), and his more affectionate grandmother, Ivy (Gemma Jones). His father, Stanley (Steven Mackintosh), is mostly absent, serving in the Royal Air Force. From a young age, Reginald showcases his remarkable talent for music, exhibiting a gift for “playing by ear”—able to replicate melodies after hearing them only once. He dreams of performing for his father, yet Stanley remains indifferent to his musical aspirations.

Full summary

The whole story of Rocketman, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Rocketman Box Office & Budget

Rocketman grossed $195.3 million worldwide on a $40 million budget, 4.9 times what it cost. $96.4 million came from the US and Canada and $99 million (51%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$195.3M

4.9× its budget

US & Canada
$96.4M
International
$99M
Budget
$40M
US & Canada 49% Rest of the world 51%
Awards

Rocketman Awards & Nominations

Rocketman won 3 awards from 12 nominations, including Best Original Song at the Golden Globes 2020. Its biggest night was the Golden Globes 2020, with 2 wins from 3 nominations.

3 wins12 nominations5 ceremonies

  • Golden Globe Awards logo
    Golden Globes 2020 2 wins · 3 nominations
    • Won Best Original Song
    • Won Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Actor) – Taron Egerton
    • Nominated Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
  • Critics' Choice Awards logo
    Critics' Choice 2020 1 win · 3 nominations
    • Won Best Song
    • Nominated Best Costume Design
    • Nominated Best Hair and Makeup
  • British Academy Film Awards logo
    BAFTA 2020 4 nominations
    • Nominated Best Actor in a Leading Role – Taron Egerton
    • Nominated Best Makeup and Hair
    • Nominated Best Sound
    • Nominated Outstanding British Film
    • Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role – Taron Egerton
Show all 5 ceremonies
Videos

Rocketman Trailers & Videos

5 videos: 1 trailer, 1 clip, 2 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

Rocketman (2019) - Official Trailer
  • Clip Taron Egerton sings "Rocket Man" - Full Song
  • Featurette Taron Egerton is Elton John
  • Featurette Rocketman Interview with Dexter Fletcher and Jamie Bell | Inside Picturehouse Special
  • Behind the Scenes Rocketman (2019) - The Costumes of Rocketman - Paramount Pictures
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Rocketman?

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 Elton John's birth name?

Cars

Cars in Rocketman

36 cars on screen, including the 1954 Land-Rover 86'' Series I and the 1959 Bedford CA Mk2.

All 36 cars
  • 1954 Land-Rover 86'' Series I in Rocketman 1954 Land-Rover 86'' Series I Important role
  • 1959 Bedford CA Mk2 in Rocketman 1959 Bedford CA Mk2 Minor role
  • 1968 Cadillac DeVille Convertible in Rocketman 1968 Cadillac DeVille Convertible Minor role
  • 1982 Checker Taxicab in Rocketman 1982 Checker Taxicab Minor role
Details

Rocketman Also Known As

11 alternative titles, including “Nguoi Hoa Tien” and “ロケットマン:2019”.

Also known as
  • Nguoi Hoa Tien
  • ロケットマン:2019
  • Ռոքեթմեն
  • Рокетмен
  • 搖滾太空人
  • 로켓맨
  • רוקטמן
  • 火箭人
  • ロケットマン
  • Người Hỏa Tiễn
  • ร็อคเกตแมน, როკეტმენი

Seen Rocketman?

FAQ

Rocketman FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of Rocketman, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Rocketman?

Rocketman runs 2 hours 1 minute (121 minutes).

When was Rocketman released?

Rocketman was released on May 31, 2019.

Who directed Rocketman?

Rocketman was directed by Dexter Fletcher.

More films by Dexter Fletcher

Who is in the cast of Rocketman?

Rocketman stars Taron Egerton as Elton John, Jamie Bell as Bernie Taupin and Bryce Dallas Howard as Sheila, among 29 credited actors.

Where can I watch Rocketman?

In the US, Rocketman is streaming on Hoopla, Kanopy and Paramount Plus Essential and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Rocketman make at the box office?

Rocketman grossed $195.3 million worldwide ($96.4 million domestic, $99 million international) on a budget of $40 million.

How is Rocketman rated?

Rocketman has 7.3/10 on IMDb, 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, 69 on Metacritic and 73% on TMDB.

What awards did Rocketman win?

Rocketman won 3 awards from 12 nominations, including Best Original Song at the Golden Globes 2020.

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