Shakespeare in Love_
"Love is the only inspiration."
Young William Shakespeare is forced to stage his latest comedy, 'Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter', before it's even written. When lovely noblewoman Viola de Lesseps auditions for a role, they fall into forbidden love — and Shakespeare's play finds a new life (and title). As their relationship intensifies, the comedy soon transforms into tragedy.
Starring
Joseph Fiennes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Geoffrey Rush
Box Office
$289.3M
Updated Feb 16, 2026
WHERE TO WATCH
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Box office
Shakespeare in Love earned $289.3M worldwide on a $25.0M budget — a 1,057% return on investment.
Year context
Shakespeare in Love was released 28 years ago in 1998.
Shakespeare in Love is a Romance, History, Comedy film with a runtime of 2h 4m.
CAST (20)
Joseph Fiennes
Will Shakespeare
Gwyneth Paltrow
Viola De Lesseps
Geoffrey Rush
Philip Henslowe
Tom Wilkinson
Hugh Fennyman
Judi Dench
Queen Elizabeth
Imelda Staunton
Nurse
Colin Firth
Lord Wessex
Ben Affleck
Ned Alleyn
Simon Callow
Tilney
SB
Steven Beard
Makepeace
Jim Carter
Ralph Bashford
Rupert Everett
Christopher Marlowe
Martin Clunes
Richard Burbage
Tim McMullan
Frees
Joe Roberts
John Webster
Antony Sher
Dr. Moth
Georgie Glen
Lady in Waiting
Nicholas Boulton
Henry Condell
Barnaby Kay
Nol
Mark Williams
Wabash
BOX OFFICE
$25.0M
Budget
$289.3M
Revenue
+1057%
ROI
MASSIVE HIT
Verdict
DETAILS
Release
Status
Released
Runtime
124 min (2h 4m)
Country
Rating
6.8/10 (3,151 votes)
Budget
$25,000,000
Box Office
$289,317,794
Profit
+$264,317,794
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Shakespeare in Love about?
Young William Shakespeare is forced to stage his latest comedy, 'Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter', before it's even written. When lovely noblewoman Viola de Lesseps auditions for a role, they fall into forbidden love — and Shakespeare's play finds a new life (and title). As their relationship intensifies, the comedy soon transforms into tragedy.
How long is Shakespeare in Love?
Shakespeare in Love has a runtime of 124 minutes (2h 4m).
Who stars in Shakespeare in Love?
The cast of Shakespeare in Love includes Joseph Fiennes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Geoffrey Rush, Tom Wilkinson, Judi Dench.
How much did Shakespeare in Love make at the box office?
Shakespeare in Love earned $289,317,794 worldwide at the box office. The production budget was $25,000,000.
What is the rating of Shakespeare in Love?
Shakespeare in Love has a rating of 6.8 out of 10 based on 3,151 votes on TMDB.
GENRES (3)
Romance
History
Comedy