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Drama musical

Yesterday (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Yesterday (2019) movie poster

Yesterday is a 2019 drama musical directed by Danny Boyle, starring Meera Syal as Sheila Malik, Himesh Patel and Lily James. It runs 1 hour 56 minutes and earned $154.6 million worldwide on a $26 million budget. Critics gave it 63% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.

IMDb rating
6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
63%
worldwide gross
$154.6M
Echo Score
65
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Yesterday (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 56m (116 min)
Director
Danny Boyle
Genres
Drama , Fantasy , Comedy , Romance
Original language
English
Budget
$26M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Yesterday About?

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

In a world where the music of The Beatles vanished, aspiring musician Jack Malik unexpectedly gains the ability to play their iconic songs. As his career takes off, he grapples with the ethical dilemmas and personal sacrifices that come with sharing these beloved classics with a world that has never known them. He must also confront the possibility of losing the support of the one person who has always championed his dreams.

Yesterday Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • alternate reality
  • musician
  • plagiarism
  • stardom
  • moral dilemma
  • rock star
  • one word title
  • title based on song
  • singing
  • concert
  • hospital
  • reference to the beatles
+38 more
  • dentist
  • cemetery
  • restaurant
  • hotel
  • beach
  • love interest
  • actor playing himself
  • john lennon character
  • reference to john the baptist
  • rock music
  • rock concert
  • singer
  • singing and playing guitar
  • song
  • reference to benedict cumberbatch
  • planet earth
  • power outage
  • bicycle accident
  • bus bicycle accident
  • hit by a bus
  • broken teeth
  • guitar
  • thunderstorm
  • reference to google
  • google search
  • internet search
  • post it
  • playing piano
  • ringing telephone
  • telephone call
  • reference to leonardo da vinci
  • train
  • recording studio
  • recording
  • song recording
  • television broadcast
  • bare chested male
  • schoolteacher
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Cast & crew

Yesterday Cast & Characters

Meera Syal leads the cast as Sheila Malik, with Himesh Patel as Jack Malik and Lily James as Ellie Appleton. Directed by Danny Boyle; 19 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Yesterday Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Yesterday 63% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 65/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in story & flow (50).

65 /100

Yesterday Echo Score Breakdown

The film delivers a charming premise and strong musical elements but is held back by uneven narrative and character development. The concept of a world without the Beatles is inventive and provides consistent enjoyment for fans of the songs; however, critics note that the script lacks sophistication and drifts without clear focus by the finale. Performances are lively yet sometimes lose emotional depth. Ultimately, Yesterday is an engaging but uneven experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 65

    The direction and production design exhibit subtle visual touches alongside moments of unclear focus. Some critics appreciate Boyle’s measured framing and symbolic imagery that reflect the narrative premise, while others observe jarring transitions and underdeveloped sequences. The result is a craft that occasionally impresses but overall feels inconsistently executed.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film balances charismatic performances with shallow development. Critics note that lead portrayals are earnest and display a genuine spark, particularly in musical sequences, yet broader emotional stakes and relationship arcs remain underexplored. The result is a cast that entertains but seldom achieves full character depth or resonance.

  • Story & Flow 50

    In terms of story and flow, Yesterday offers an original premise hampered by an underwritten script. Pacing feels uneven as the narrative drifts between lighthearted moments and unresolved tensions. Several critiques point to a lack of narrative vision and a conclusion that undercuts earlier promise. Overall, the plot intrigues but stops short of full engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    The sensory experience stands out for its vibrant musical integration and faithful homage to Beatles compositions. Sequence design and sound mixing capture the spirit of iconic tracks, even if some stage setups feel stagey or confined. Visually, color palettes are warm and cohesive, cementing an enjoyable audio-visual tapestry.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    The rewatch factor for Yesterday remains moderate due to its appealing premise and strong soundtrack. While initial viewings evoke genuine enjoyment, critics and audiences find that limited narrative depth and predictable arcs reduce lasting appeal. The film rewards fans of the music but lacks the layered complexity that encourages repeat experiences.

Plot

Yesterday Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Yesterday 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

Jack Malik, portrayed by Himesh Patel, is a struggling singer-songwriter based in Lowestoft. His unwavering childhood friend and manager, Ellie Appleton, continuously motivates him to pursue his musical aspirations despite numerous challenges. Everything changes dramatically when Jack is struck by a bus during a global blackout. Upon recovering, he performs “Yesterday” for his friends only to discover that they are utterly unfamiliar with the Beatles. In a bewildering twist of fate, he learns that the world has forgotten the legendary band, and with no online trace of their existence, he seizes the moment to present their timeless songs as his own.

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Box office

Yesterday Box Office & Budget

Yesterday grossed $154.6 million worldwide on a $26 million budget, 5.9 times what it cost. $73.3 million came from the US and Canada and $81.3 million (53%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$154.6M

5.9× its budget

US & Canada
$73.3M
International
$81.3M
Budget
$26M
US & Canada 47% Rest of the world 53%
Videos

Yesterday Trailers & Videos

12 videos: 2 trailers, 1 clip and 9 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 12 videos
Trailer 1
  • Trailer US Trailer
  • Clip Meeting John Lennon in 4K HDR
  • Behind the Scenes Yesterday | Behind The Scenes | Lights Out
  • Behind the Scenes Yesterday | Behind The Scenes | Jack's Discovery
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Yesterday?

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 catastrophic event grants Jack Malik his unique ability?

Cars

Cars in Yesterday

33 cars on screen, including the 2010 MINI Cooper D Clubman and the 2016 Audi A8 L D4.

All 33 cars
  • 2010 MINI Cooper D Clubman in Yesterday 2010 MINI Cooper D Clubman Important role
  • 2016 Audi A8 L D4 in Yesterday 2016 Audi A8 L D4 Minor role
  • BT CBE-Series in Yesterday BT CBE-Series Minor role
  • 2005 LTI TXII in Yesterday 2005 LTI TXII Minor role
Details

Yesterday Also Known As

22 alternative titles, including “All You Need Is Love” and “Vchora”.

Also known as
  • All You Need Is Love
  • Vchora
  • 昨天
  • 昨日
  • 你需要的只是爱
  • เยสเตอร์เดย์
  • Вчера
  • イエスタデイ
  • 예스터데이
  • Вчора
  • Вчера си е за вчера
  • 靠譜歌王
+10 more
  • יסטרדיי
  • Јуче
  • Vakardien...
  • 昨日奇迹
  • 緣來自昨天
  • Dar vakar
  • Ngày Hôm Qua, გუშინ
  • Ieri
  • في الأمس
  • Eile veel

Seen Yesterday?

FAQ

Yesterday FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Yesterday?

Yesterday runs 1 hour 56 minutes (116 minutes).

When was Yesterday released?

Yesterday was released on June 28, 2019.

Who directed Yesterday?

Yesterday was directed by Danny Boyle.

More films by Danny Boyle

Who is in the cast of Yesterday?

Yesterday stars Meera Syal as Sheila Malik, Himesh Patel as Jack Malik and Lily James as Ellie Appleton, among 19 credited actors.

How much did Yesterday make at the box office?

Yesterday grossed $154.6 million worldwide ($73.3 million domestic, $81.3 million international) on a budget of $26 million.

How is Yesterday rated?

Yesterday has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 63% on Rotten Tomatoes, 55 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.

Does Yesterday have a post-credit scene?

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

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