The King's Speech (2010)
Kernel Score: 85% · 9,190 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, History
Released: 2010-11-26
Runtime: 118 minutes
Is The King's Speech worth watching?
Must-watch. A crowd-pleasing true story about a stammering prince who must become king. Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush are superb, and the story of their unlikely friendship is warm, funny and moving.
Watch it if you
- like well-acted British period dramas
- enjoy true stories about private struggles
- want something warm and dignified
Skip it if you
- want fast action
- dislike slow, talky dramas
Best for: Date night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The King's Speech
- Stream: Fubo, Paramount+, Britbox Apple TV channel
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
The King's Speech tells the story of the man who became King George VI, the father of Queen Elizabeth II. After his brother abdicates, George ('Bertie') reluctantly assumes the throne. Plagued by a dreaded stutter and considered unfit to be king, Bertie engages the help of an unorthodox speech therapist named Lionel Logue. Through a set of unexpected techniques, and as a result of an unlikely friendship, Bertie is able to find his voice and boldly lead the country into war.
The King's Speech parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that The King's Speech is an R-rated but otherwise family-safe historical drama about King George VI overcoming a stutter, rated R mainly for a scene of profanity used in speech therapy.
- Language: Moderate — Rated R primarily for a sequence involving therapeutic use of strong profanity; otherwise dialogue is period-appropriate and restrained.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The King's Speech
If you liked The King's Speech, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Darkest Hour (2017) — 85%: Another film about a leader under pressure, in the Second World War
- The Elephant Man (1980) — 90%: Moving period drama about dignity in hardship
- Les Misérables (2012) — 84%: Big, emotional period drama
- A Royal Affair (2012) — 83%: Handsome period drama about royal intrigue
- The Danish Girl (2015) — 85%: Sensitive period drama about identity and love
- Green Book (2018) — 90%: Warm true story built on an unlikely friendship
Director
Cast
- Colin Firth as King George VI
- Geoffrey Rush as Lionel Logue
- Helena Bonham Carter as Queen Elizabeth
- Guy Pearce as King Edward VIII
- Timothy Spall as Winston Churchill
- Michael Gambon as King George V
- Jennifer Ehle as Myrtle Logue
- Derek Jacobi as Archbishop Cosmo Lang
- Freya Wilson as Princess Elizabeth
- Ramona Marquez as Princess Margaret
The King's Speech FAQ
Is The King's Speech worth watching?
Must-watch. A crowd-pleasing true story about a stammering prince who must become king. Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush are superb, and the story of their unlikely friendship is warm, funny and moving.
Where can I watch The King's Speech?
In the US you can stream The King's Speech on Fubo, Paramount+ and Britbox Apple TV channel and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The King's Speech OK for kids?
The King's Speech is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that The King's Speech is an R-rated but otherwise family-safe historical drama about King George VI overcoming a stutter, rated R mainly for a scene of profanity used in speech therapy.
What movies are like The King's Speech?
If you liked The King's Speech, try Darkest Hour, The Elephant Man, Les Misérables and A Royal Affair.