Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Kernel Score: 87% · 7,442 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, Romance
Released: 2005-10-22
Runtime: 134 minutes
Is Brokeback Mountain worth watching?
Must-watch. A quiet, heartbreaking love story between two ranch hands over twenty years. Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal are superb, and it's gentle but powerful.
Watch it if you
- like slow, emotional romances
- want strong acting
- appreciate stories about love that can't be said aloud
Skip it if you
- want a fast-paced story
- dislike sad endings
Best for: Quiet night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Brokeback Mountain
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
In 1960s Wyoming, two men develop a strong emotional and sexual relationship that endures as a lifelong connection complicating their lives as they get married and start families of their own.
Brokeback Mountain parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Brokeback Mountain is an R-rated romantic drama depicting a secret same-sex relationship amid social intolerance.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Moderate — Depicts a sexual relationship between the two lead characters, per R rating and genre.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Brokeback Mountain
If you liked Brokeback Mountain, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- In the Mood for Love (2000) — 91%: A tender, aching love story that never quite connects.
- Maurice (1987) — 87%: An earlier classic of love across barriers.
- The World to Come (2021) — 79%: Another quiet, period same-sex love story.
- Sense and Sensibility (1995) — 83%: Same director, a slower, gentler romance.
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) — 85%: Same director, with love and restraint.
- Prayers for Bobby (2009) — 90%: A moving family drama about acceptance.
Director
Cast
- Heath Ledger as Ennis Del Mar
- Jake Gyllenhaal as Jack Twist
- Michelle Williams as Alma Beers
- Anne Hathaway as Lureen Newsome
- Randy Quaid as Joe Aguirre
- Linda Cardellini as Cassie Cartwright
- Anna Faris as Lashawn Malone
- David Harbour as Randall Malone
- Roberta Maxwell as Jack's Mother
- Kate Mara as Alma Del Mar Jr. (age 19)
Brokeback Mountain FAQ
Is Brokeback Mountain worth watching?
Must-watch. A quiet, heartbreaking love story between two ranch hands over twenty years. Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal are superb, and it's gentle but powerful.
Where can I watch Brokeback Mountain?
In the US you can rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Brokeback Mountain OK for kids?
Brokeback Mountain is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Brokeback Mountain is an R-rated romantic drama depicting a secret same-sex relationship amid social intolerance.
What movies are like Brokeback Mountain?
If you liked Brokeback Mountain, try In the Mood for Love, Maurice, The World to Come and Sense and Sensibility.