Skip to content
MovieCove
Blithe Spirit

Blithe Spirit

True love never dies.

202099 minPG-13Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films
Director
Edward Hall
Starring
Dan Stevens, Leslie Mann, Isla Fisher, Judi Dench

A spiritualist medium holds a seance for a writer suffering from writers block but accidentally summons the spirit of his deceased first wife which leads to an increasingly complex love triangle with his current wife of five years.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Blithe Spirit?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Blithe Spirit streaming on Acorn TV via Prime Video, AMC+ and Sundance Now via Prime Video and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Blithe Spirit?

Blithe Spirit earns 6 badges, led by Overhyped and Star-studded.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Content
  • Cast

Reception

Is Blithe Spirit worth watching?

Blithe Spirit's Midcredits score is the 21st percentile of all films, from 20K ratings across 6 sources. 28% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

21st percentile

Better received than 21% of films

21st percentile among Comedy22nd percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)25th
Approval (how many liked it)20th

53 /100

25th percentile of all films

25th percentile among Comedy27th percentile among 2020s

Critics 26 · Audience 56

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 5.6 — solid but not unanimous.

28% liked it

20th percentile of all films

19th percentile among Comedy21st percentile among 2020s
28% rated it 7–1072% rated it 1–6

Critics 28% · Audience 32%

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences approve at similar rates.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 1 wins / 0 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

91st percentile

20K ratings across platforms

90th percentile among Comedy92nd percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 40% in 30 days

Box office

Opening weekend$89K
Domestic gross$283K
Worldwide gross$965K

42nd percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

It is a loose, visually stylish adaptation that loses much of Coward's original wit.

Fans praised

  • witty screwball comedy in golden-era style
  • crisp, light-touch acting and hamming it up
  • gorgeous art deco sets and period costumes

Detractors panned

  • lost Coward's brittle wit and elegant humor
  • tedious characters and wooden script
  • slow pace and unfunny slapstick

What stands out

Cinematography70

beautiful art deco sets, gorgeous costumes; visual treat

ActingDivisive65

generally fun performances in search of a better movie; Dan Stevens and Leslie Mann praised by some, others find cast miscast

HumorDivisive30

fans find a gentle, fun farce; detractors say barely a laugh

CharactersDivisive30

fans see fleshed-out characters; detractors find them unlikable and tedious

Pacing30

long-feeling despite short runtime; sluggish rhythm

Plot and storyDivisive25

unnecessary new plot points, predictable twist, boring story

OriginalityDivisive25

unnecessary changes to a classic; could have been a new story

DialogueDivisive20

retains only a scattering of Coward's lines; lacks wit and crackle

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men even
  • Critics vs users 1 point apart
  • US vs non-US even

Watch experience

What is Blithe Spirit like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Easy laugh: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something light that makes you laugh and does not take itself seriously.

It is gentle and leaves you entertained. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Easy laugh.

Moods
TenseAbsurdRomantic
Heaviest: middle
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
PlayfulWry · 7% of films: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its absurd ghostly premise with a light, knowing touch.
The rideThe mood wavers between farcical tension and absurd humor as the ghost complicates the household, with romantic moments woven in.
StructureThe story unfolds chronologically from the seance through the escalating domestic chaos.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

FunFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayA light-hearted comedy that leaves you amused and uplifted.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Comedy
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11% (this title): Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% (this title) · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Comedy of errors: Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.

11% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeA writer's seance accidentally summons his deceased wife, creating a farcical love triangle with his current wife.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfMarriageBonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% (this title) · Marriage 2% (this title) · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9% (this title)
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Marriage · 2% of filmsDeception · 9% of filmsRomantic love · 15% of films
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores the strain and comedy of a love triangle that literally haunts a marriage, testing loyalty and revealing hidden tensions.
StanceThe film observes the absurdities and strains of marriage and love triangles without moralizing, finding humor in the predicament.

The world

ContemporaryDomesticRealistic
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · original score · Simon Boswell
Settinga middle-class English home where a seance goes awry
MusicLikely a light, playful score to match the comedic and supernatural elements.

Content guide

Is Blithe Spirit okay for kids?

PG-13

Blithe Spirit is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for suggestive references and some drug material” (MPAA). As of March 15, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (21/100), sexual content at mild (27/100), language at mild (33/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (30/100) and frightening material at minimal (13/100). Its violence and frightening material have too few votes to rank. Overall it is heavier than 5% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 8 other countries
  • UK12
  • AustraliaPG
  • Germany12
  • FranceU
  • JapanG
  • Russia16+
  • Taiwan保護級
  • UA12+
Overall
Mild · all five categories
Heavier than 7% of all filmsHeavier than 5% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
Mild
too few votes to rank (8 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 45%
Profanity
Mild
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 26%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 42%
Frightening / Intense
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (8 votes)

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is language, heavier than 26% of PG-13-rated films.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Blithe Spirit have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Blithe Spirit?

Cast

4 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Dan Stevens
as Charles Condomine
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Leslie Mann
as Elvira Condomine
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Isla Fisher
as Ruth Condomine
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Judi Dench
as Madame Cecily Arcati
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Julian Rhind-Tutt
as Mr Bradman
Emilia Fox
as Mrs Bradman
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Dave Johns
as Harold
James Fleet
as Harry Price
Adil Ray
as Mandeep Singh
First film: No prior film role; they had worked in television.
Aimee-Ffion Edwards
as Edith

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Blithe Spirit?

Movies like Blithe Spirit include Blithe Spirit (1945), Not Another Happy Ending (2013) and Kissing a Fool (1998). Of the 12 closest matches, several are love triangle stories, and several are films about marriage.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

Noël Coward wrote 3 of these 12. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Blithe Spirit?

2.5K other films share the rarest tag below, relationship: love triangle. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.