Green Book (2018)

Kernel Score: 90% · 12,643 ratings · Rated PG-13

Genres: Drama, Comedy, History

Released: 2018-11-16

Runtime: 130 minutes

Is Green Book worth watching?

Worth watching. A warm road-trip comedy-drama about an unlikely friendship in the segregated 1960s South. Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen are very good. It is crowd-pleasing and gentle, some say too gentle on its subject.

Watch it if you

  • like feel-good true stories
  • enjoy odd-couple friendships
  • want a smooth, funny and emotional watch

Skip it if you

  • want a harder, more critical look at racism
  • dislike conventional, comfortable storytelling

Best for: Date night in

Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.

Where to watch Green Book

  • Stream: Netflix
  • Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
  • Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube

US availability, updated 2026-10-23.

Overview

Tony Lip, a bouncer in 1962, is hired to drive pianist Don Shirley on a tour through the Deep South in the days when African Americans, forced to find alternate accommodations and services due to segregation laws below the Mason-Dixon Line, relied on a guide called The Negro Motorist Green Book.

Green Book parents' guide: ages 11+

Parents need to know that Green Book is a PG-13 drama about an unlikely friendship crossing the racial divide in the segregated 1960s South, with racial slurs and mature themes.

  • Violence & scariness: Some — Some tense confrontations rooted in racial prejudice, including bar and street altercations.
  • Language: Moderate — Set amid 1960s segregation, the film includes racial slurs and some coarse language.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

Movies like Green Book

If you liked Green Book, these are the movies we'd watch next.

  • The Best of Enemies (2019) — 82%: Another true story of unlikely allies in a racially divided South.
  • BlacKkKlansman (2018) — 87%: Sharper, more angry take on race, with comedy.
  • Paper Moon (1973) — 89%: Warm road comedy with an odd-couple pair.
  • Saving Mr. Banks (2013) — 82%: Gentle true story of two very different people working together.
  • The Greatest Beer Run Ever (2022) — 85%: True-story comedy-drama about a man on an improbable journey.
  • Thelma & Louise (1991) — 87%: Road-trip drama about friendship on the move.

Director

Peter Farrelly

Cast

  • Viggo Mortensen as Tony Lip
  • Mahershala Ali as Dr. Don Shirley
  • Linda Cardellini as Dolores
  • Sebastian Maniscalco as Johnny Venere
  • Dimiter D. Marinov as Oleg
  • Mike Hatton as George
  • P.J. Byrne as Record Exec
  • Joe Cortese as Gio Loscudo
  • Mary Agnes Nixon as Copa Coat Check Girl
  • Von Lewis as Bobby Rydell

Green Book FAQ

Is Green Book worth watching?

Worth watching. A warm road-trip comedy-drama about an unlikely friendship in the segregated 1960s South. Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen are very good. It is crowd-pleasing and gentle, some say too gentle on its subject.

Where can I watch Green Book?

In the US you can stream Green Book on Netflix and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.

Is Green Book OK for kids?

Green Book is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Green Book is a PG-13 drama about an unlikely friendship crossing the racial divide in the segregated 1960s South, with racial slurs and mature themes.

What movies are like Green Book?

If you liked Green Book, try The Best of Enemies, BlacKkKlansman, Paper Moon and Saving Mr. Banks.