Milk (2008)
Kernel Score: 79% · 2,367 ratings · Rated R
Genres: History, Drama
Released: 2008-11-05
Runtime: 128 minutes
Is Milk worth watching?
Worth watching. Sean Penn gives a warm, lived-in performance as Harvey Milk in a well-made political biopic. It's conventional in structure, but the story is important and the cast is strong.
Watch it if you
- like biopics driven by one big performance
- are interested in 1970s civil rights history
- enjoy political dramas
Skip it if you
- want an unconventional take on the biopic
- find historical dramas slow
Best for: Thoughtful night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Milk
- Stream: History Vault
- Free with ads: YouTube Free
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
The true story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man ever elected to public office. In San Francisco in the late 1970s, Harvey Milk becomes an activist for gay rights and inspires others to join him in his fight for equal rights that should be available to all Americans.
Milk parents' guide: ages 13+
Parents need to know that Milk is a biographical drama about gay rights activist Harvey Milk that includes references to violence, homophobia, and political conflict.
- Violence & scariness: Some — Includes a real-life assassination and depictions of homophobic hostility and biting; based on true events involving murder.
- Language: Some — Political drama dialogue with some strong language typical of an R-rated biopic.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Milk
If you liked Milk, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Prayers for Bobby (2009) — 90%: Moving true story about acceptance and family.
- Boy Erased (2018) — 78%: Drama about identity and acceptance.
- Serpico (1973) — 85%: Principled lone figure takes on a corrupt system.
- Cry Freedom (1987) — 78%: True story of political courage and prejudice.
- Official Secrets (2019) — 83%: Whistleblower drama about standing up to power.
- The Elephant Man (1980) — 90%: Powerful true-life drama about dignity.
Director
Cast
- Sean Penn as Harvey Milk
- Emile Hirsch as Cleve Jones
- Josh Brolin as Dan White
- Diego Luna as Jack Lira
- James Franco as Scott Smith
- Alison Pill as Anne Kronenberg
- Victor Garber as Mayor Moscone
- Denis O'Hare as John Briggs
- Joseph Cross as Dick Pabich
- Stephen Spinella as Rick Stokes
Milk FAQ
Is Milk worth watching?
Worth watching. Sean Penn gives a warm, lived-in performance as Harvey Milk in a well-made political biopic. It's conventional in structure, but the story is important and the cast is strong.
Where can I watch Milk?
In the US you can stream Milk on History Vault, watch it free with ads on YouTube Free and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Milk OK for kids?
Milk is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 13+. Parents need to know that Milk is a biographical drama about gay rights activist Harvey Milk that includes references to violence, homophobia, and political conflict.
What movies are like Milk?
If you liked Milk, try Prayers for Bobby, Boy Erased, Serpico and Cry Freedom.