Hamlet_
"The motion picture of all time ... for all time!"
Winner of four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor, Sir Laurence Olivier’s Hamlet continues to be the most compelling version of Shakespeare’s beloved tragedy. Olivier is at his most inspired—both as director and as the melancholy Dane himself—as he breathes new life into the words of one of the world’s greatest dramatists.
Starring
Laurence Olivier, Basil Sydney, Eileen Herlie
Updated Feb 16, 2026
WHERE TO WATCH
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Cast
Laurence Olivier →
Laurence Olivier stars as Hamlet - Prince of Denmark / Voice of Ghost in Hamlet.
Laurence Olivier →
Year context
Hamlet was released 78 years ago in 1948.
Overview
Winner of four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor, Sir Laurence Olivier’s Hamlet continues to be the most compelling version of Shakespear...
Hamlet is a Drama film with a runtime of 2h 33m.
CAST (20)
Laurence Olivier
Hamlet - Prince of Denmark / Voice of Ghost
Basil Sydney
Claudius - The King
Eileen Herlie
Gertrude - The Queen
Norman Wooland
Horatio - His Friend
Felix Aylmer
Polonius - Lord Chamberlain
Jean Simmons
Ophelia
Terence Morgan
Laertes
Peter Cushing
Osric
Stanley Holloway
Gravedigger
Russell Thorndike
Priest
John Laurie
Francisco
Esmond Knight
Bernardo
Anthony Quayle
Marcellus
Harcourt Williams
First Player
Patrick Troughton
Player King
TT
Tony Tarver
Player Queen
Niall MacGinnis
Sea Captain
Anthony Bushell
Bit Part (uncredited)
PD
Patricia Davidson
Lady of the Court (uncredited)
DL
Doreen Lawrence
Extra (uncredited)
BOX OFFICE
$750K
Budget
DETAILS
Release
Status
Released
Runtime
153 min (2h 33m)
Language
English
Country
Rating
7.4/10 (282 votes)
Popularity
5
Budget
$750,000
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Hamlet about?
Winner of four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor, Sir Laurence Olivier’s Hamlet continues to be the most compelling version of Shakespeare’s beloved tragedy. Olivier is at his most inspired—both as director and as the melancholy Dane himself—as he breathes new life into the words of one of the world’s greatest dramatists.
How long is Hamlet?
Hamlet has a runtime of 153 minutes (2h 33m).
Who stars in Hamlet?
The cast of Hamlet includes Laurence Olivier, Basil Sydney, Eileen Herlie, Norman Wooland, Felix Aylmer.
What is the rating of Hamlet?
Hamlet has a rating of 7.4 out of 10 based on 282 votes on TMDB.
GENRES (1)
Drama