Collateral Beauty (2016)
Kernel Score: 79% · 5,516 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Drama, Romance
Released: 2016-12-15
Runtime: 97 minutes
Is Collateral Beauty worth watching?
Depends on your taste. A grief drama about a man writing letters to Love, Time and Death. It has a strong cast and a sincere idea, but the premise can feel contrived. If you want a gentle weepie it works; if not, it may feel forced.
Watch it if you
- want a gentle, emotional drama
- like stories about grief
- enjoy ensemble casts
Skip it if you
- dislike sentimental or contrived plots
- want realism about loss
Best for: Quiet night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Collateral Beauty
- Free with ads: Kanopy
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
Retreating from life after a tragedy, a man questions the universe by writing to Love, Time and Death. Receiving unexpected answers, he begins to see how these things interlock and how even loss can reveal moments of meaning and beauty.
Collateral Beauty parents' guide: ages 8+
Parents need to know that Collateral Beauty is a PG-13 drama about a grieving father confronting loss and grief with the help of friends.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Collateral Beauty
If you liked Collateral Beauty, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Manchester by the Sea (2016) — 84%: A far deeper drama about grief.
- Me Before You (2016) — 89%: Tearjerker romance about love and loss.
- A Ghost Story (2017) — 79%: Strange, quiet film about grief.
- We Live in Time (2024) — 82%: Romance told around illness and time.
- Rudderless (2014) — 79%: A father copes with loss.
- Mr. Church (2016) — 85%: Warm story of an unlikely bond and loss.
Director
David Frankel
Cast
- Will Smith as Howard Inlet
- Edward Norton as Whit Yardsham
- Kate Winslet as Claire Wilson
- Michael Peña as Simon Scott
- Helen Mirren as Brigitte
- Jacob Latimore as Raffi
- Keira Knightley as Amy Moore
- Naomie Harris as Madeleine
- Ann Dowd as Sally Price
- Kylie Rogers as Allison Yardsham
Collateral Beauty FAQ
Is Collateral Beauty worth watching?
Depends on your taste. A grief drama about a man writing letters to Love, Time and Death. It has a strong cast and a sincere idea, but the premise can feel contrived. If you want a gentle weepie it works; if not, it may feel forced.
Where can I watch Collateral Beauty?
In the US you can watch it free with ads on Kanopy and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Collateral Beauty OK for kids?
Collateral Beauty is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 8+. Parents need to know that Collateral Beauty is a PG-13 drama about a grieving father confronting loss and grief with the help of friends.
What movies are like Collateral Beauty?
If you liked Collateral Beauty, try Manchester by the Sea, Me Before You, A Ghost Story and We Live in Time.