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Comedy drama

The Christophers (2026): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

The Christophers (2026) movie poster

The Christophers is a 2026 comedy drama directed by Steven Soderbergh, starring Ian McKellen as Julian Sklar, James Corden and Jessica Gunning. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $5 million worldwide. Critics gave it 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 79 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
95%
worldwide gross
$5M
Echo Score
80
Metascore
79
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The Christophers (2026) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m (100 min)
Genres
Comedy , Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Christophers About?

The premise of The Christophers without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Julian Sklar (Ian McKellen) was a celebrated figure in London’s 1960s‑70s pop‑art boom, but he’s stopped painting and has lived in poverty for years. His two estranged children (James Corden, Jessica Gunning), eager for an inheritance, enlist Lori, an art restorer and former forger (Michaela Coel), to pose as a prospective assistant in order to gain access to his estate.

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Cast & crew

The Christophers Cast & Characters

Ian McKellen leads the cast as Julian Sklar, with James Corden as Barnaby Sklar and Jessica Gunning as Sallie Milton Sklar. Directed by Steven Soderbergh; 12 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Christophers

· 8 more
From the director

More from Steven Soderbergh

More films directed by Steven Soderbergh, best-rated first: sex, lies, and videotape, Traffic, King of the Hill and Black Bag.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Christophers Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Christophers 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 79 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (70).

80 /100

The Christophers Echo Score Breakdown

The Christophers registers a strong positive consensus, driven by its deft direction, compelling performances, and thoughtful narrative. Critics commend Soderbergh's visual style and the chemistry between McKellen and Coel, while user feedback acknowledges the film's charm despite occasional pacing concerns. The soundtrack and score reinforce the film's tonal balance, contributing to an experience that rewards repeat viewings. Overall, the movie delivers a satisfying blend of artistry and entertainment that resonates with the majority of viewers.

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

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, the film showcases confident direction and cinematography. Critics note Soderbergh's swirling camera work and the visual energy that sustains dense monologues. Users acknowledge the distinctive score but some describe the art elements as pretentious. The combined feedback points to a solid technical execution that, while occasionally divisive, remains effective.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    Character and emotion emerge as a primary strength, with both leads delivering nuanced performances. Critics highlight a master class in line readings and the dynamic interplay between the protagonists. User comments echo this sentiment, praising the chemistry and labeling the acting a tour de force. Despite a few remarks about staged moments, the consensus affirms a high level of character work.

  • Story & Flow 75

    The story presents an inventive premise that intertwines art world intrigue with personal reflection. Critics appreciate the clever twists and richer thematic layers beyond a simple crime plot. User responses note a slow start and occasional drags, yet many find the plot enjoyable and worthwhile. Overall, the narrative is regarded as engaging, though its pacing can feel uneven.

  • Sensory Experience 78

    Sensory experience is reinforced by a resonant score and distinctive visual styling. Critics commend the soundtrack's mood-setting and the director's control over camera movement. Some users specifically mention the effective mood created by the music. While a few viewers find portions of the audio‑visual presentation pretentious, the dominant impression is that the sensory elements support the film's tone.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Rewatch factor benefits from the film's layered storytelling and enjoyable performances. Critics describe it as fun, with anticipation of twists that reward multiple viewings. User feedback includes remarks about fun and repeat appeal, though some cite boredom in certain segments. The mixed yet generally positive sentiment suggests the movie holds moderate replay value.

Plot

The Christophers Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Christophers from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Lori Butler, Michaela Coel is a young artist who hasn’t exhibited in years and is drawn into a calculated plan by Julian Sklar’s unscrupulous children to finish the Christophers behind his back after his death. Julian Sklar, Ian McKellen, is a renowned painter based in London, now elderly and eccentric. In the 1990s, he completed two series of paintings called The Christophers based on a former lover; a third series remains unfinished, and he has not worked on them in years. His reputation has faded as he has aged, even as his current life includes long sessions of recording Cameos for his fans to earn a living.

Full summary

The whole story of The Christophers, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The Christophers Box Office

The Christophers grossed $5 million worldwide. $1.8 million came from the US and Canada and $3.2 million (64%) from the rest of the world.

2026 box office

Worldwide gross

$5M

US & Canada
$1.8M
International
$3.2M
US & Canada 36% Rest of the world 64%
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Christophers?

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
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  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
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  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Which actor portrays the elderly painter Julian Sklar?

Seen The Christophers?

FAQ

The Christophers FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is The Christophers?

The Christophers runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).

When was The Christophers released?

The Christophers was released on April 10, 2026.

Who directed The Christophers?

The Christophers was directed by Steven Soderbergh.

More films by Steven Soderbergh

Who is in the cast of The Christophers?

The Christophers stars Ian McKellen as Julian Sklar, James Corden as Barnaby Sklar and Jessica Gunning as Sallie Milton Sklar, among 12 credited actors.

How much did The Christophers make at the box office?

The Christophers grossed $5 million worldwide ($1.8 million domestic, $3.2 million international).

How is The Christophers rated?

The Christophers has 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 79 on Metacritic.

Does The Christophers have a post-credit scene?

No. The Christophers has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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