Notes on a Scandal (2006)
Kernel Score: 80% · 963 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, Romance
Released: 2006-12-25
Runtime: 92 minutes
Where to watch Notes on a Scandal
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
A veteran high school teacher befriends a younger art teacher, who is having an affair with one of her 15-year-old students. However, her intentions with this new "friend" also go well beyond platonic friendship.
Notes on a Scandal parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Notes on a Scandal (R) deals with an affair between a teacher and a 15-year-old student plus obsessive blackmail.
- Violence & scariness: A little — Tension and psychological conflict rather than physical violence.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Strong — Central plot involves a teacher's affair with a 15-year-old student and an obsessive same-sex attraction/blackmail subplot.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Notes on a Scandal
If you liked Notes on a Scandal, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Lolita (1997) — 78%
- Revolutionary Road (2008) — 79%
- Little Children (2006) — 79%
- The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946) — 78%
- Happiness (1965) — 83%
- American Beauty (1999) — 94%
- The Great Gatsby (2013) — 84%
- The Color Purple (1985) — 86%
Director
Richard Eyre
Cast
- Judi Dench as Barbara Covett
- Cate Blanchett as Sheba Hart
- Bill Nighy as Richard Hart
- Andrew Simpson as Steven Connolly
- Phil Davis as Brian Bangs
- Michael Maloney as Sandy Pabblem
- Juno Temple as Polly Hart
- Max Lewis as Ben Hart
- Joanna Scanlan as Sue Hodge
- Julia McKenzie as Marjorie
Notes on a Scandal FAQ
Is Notes on a Scandal good?
Notes on a Scandal has an 80% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 963 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Notes on a Scandal?
In the US you can rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Notes on a Scandal OK for kids?
Notes on a Scandal is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Notes on a Scandal (R) deals with an affair between a teacher and a 15-year-old student plus obsessive blackmail.
What movies are like Notes on a Scandal?
If you liked Notes on a Scandal, try Lolita, Revolutionary Road, Little Children and The Postman Always Rings Twice.