In the Mood for Love (2000)
Kernel Score: 91% · 3,175 ratings · Rated PG
Genres: Drama, Romance
Released: 2000-09-29
Runtime: 99 minutes
Is In the Mood for Love worth watching?
Must-watch. Two neighbours in 1960s Hong Kong grow close after suspecting their spouses of an affair. Almost nothing is said outright, and the film is all glances, music and restraint. It's one of the most beautiful romances ever made.
Watch it if you
- love slow, restrained romance
- care about mood, music and visual style
Skip it if you
- need plot and dialogue to drive things
- dislike subtitles
Best for: Quiet solo night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch In the Mood for Love
- Stream: HBO Max
- Free with ads: Shout! Factory TV
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Two neighbors form a strong bond after both suspect extramarital activities of their spouses. However, they agree to keep their bond platonic so as not to commit similar wrongs.
In the Mood for Love parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that In the Mood for Love is a PG romantic drama centered on suspected spousal infidelity, handled with restraint.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Some — Central theme of suspected extramarital affairs, though the two leads keep their own bond deliberately platonic.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like In the Mood for Love
If you liked In the Mood for Love, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- 2046 (2004) — 82%: Wong Kar-wai's loose companion piece, same world and same ache
- Happy Together (1997) — 87%: Wong Kar-wai again, a messy, aching love story
- Chungking Express (1994) — 91%: Wong Kar-wai's livelier, dreamier take on lonely hearts
- Days of Being Wild (1990) — 83%: Earlier Wong Kar-wai film with the same longing
- Far from Heaven (2002) — 78%: Period romance of repressed feeling and social rules
- Lust, Caution (2007) — 83%: Another period love story full of tension and secrecy
Director
Cast
- Maggie Cheung as Su Li-zhen
- Tony Leung Chiu-wai as Chow Mo-wan
- Siu Ping-Lam as Ah Ping
- Rebecca Pan as Mrs. Suen
- Kelly Lai Chen as Mr. Ho
- Joe Cheung Tung-Cho as Man Living in Mr. Koo's Apartment
- Chan Man-Lei as Mr. Koo
- Koo Kam-Wah as Mrs. Koo
- Mama Hung as Amah
- Paulyn Sun as Mrs. Chow (voice)
In the Mood for Love FAQ
Is In the Mood for Love worth watching?
Must-watch. Two neighbours in 1960s Hong Kong grow close after suspecting their spouses of an affair. Almost nothing is said outright, and the film is all glances, music and restraint. It's one of the most beautiful romances ever made.
Where can I watch In the Mood for Love?
In the US you can stream In the Mood for Love on HBO Max, watch it free with ads on Shout! Factory TV and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is In the Mood for Love OK for kids?
In the Mood for Love is rated PG. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that In the Mood for Love is a PG romantic drama centered on suspected spousal infidelity, handled with restraint.
What movies are like In the Mood for Love?
If you liked In the Mood for Love, try 2046, Happy Together, Chungking Express and Days of Being Wild.