tick, tick... BOOM! (2021)

Kernel Score: 85% · 2,261 ratings · Rated PG-13

Genres: Drama, Music

Released: 2021-11-11

Runtime: 120 minutes

Is tick, tick... BOOM! worth watching?

Worth watching. tick, tick... BOOM! turns a young composer's fear of running out of time into a lively musical, driven by a strong lead performance and good songs. It's warm and energetic, though the ending is manipulative.

Watch it if you

  • love musicals or musical theatre
  • relate to chasing a creative dream
  • like energetic biopics

Skip it if you

  • dislike musicals
  • want a bleak or subtle artist story

Best for: Cozy night in

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

Where to watch tick, tick... BOOM!

US availability, updated 2026-10-22.

Overview

On the brink of turning 30, a promising theater composer navigates love, friendship and the pressure to create something great before time runs out.

tick, tick... BOOM! parents' guide: ages 11+

Parents need to know that this musical drama touches on the HIV/AIDS epidemic and includes some mature themes.

  • Drinking, drugs & smoking: A little — Some incidental drinking in social/theater settings.

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

Movies like tick, tick... BOOM!

If you liked tick, tick... BOOM!, these are the movies we'd watch next.

  • Sing Street (2016) — 87%: Young dreamers, original songs and a lot of heart
  • Almost Famous (2000) — 85%: Young artist chases a dream in a music-driven coming-of-age story
  • Whiplash (2014) — 96%: Obsessive pursuit of artistic greatness, much more intense
  • Billy Elliot (2000) — 88%: A kid's passion for art becomes his way out
  • CODA (2021) — 90%: Music, family and ambition in a warm, moving story
  • Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) — 89%: Big, crowd-pleasing story of a musical talent

Director

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Cast

  • Andrew Garfield as Jonathan Larson
  • Alexandra Shipp as Susan Wilson
  • Robin de Jesús as Michael
  • Michaela Jaé Rodriguez as Carolyn
  • Ben Levi Ross as Freddy
  • Jonathan Marc Sherman as Ira Weitzman
  • Vanessa Hudgens as Karessa Johnson
  • Joshua Henry as Roger Bart
  • Bradley Whitford as Stephen Sondheim
  • Judith Light as Rosa Stevens

tick, tick... BOOM! FAQ

Is tick, tick... BOOM! worth watching?

Worth watching. tick, tick... BOOM! turns a young composer's fear of running out of time into a lively musical, driven by a strong lead performance and good songs. It's warm and energetic, though the ending is manipulative.

Where can I watch tick, tick... BOOM!?

In the US you can stream tick, tick... BOOM! on Netflix.

Is tick, tick... BOOM! OK for kids?

tick, tick... BOOM! is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that this musical drama touches on the HIV/AIDS epidemic and includes some mature themes.

What movies are like tick, tick... BOOM!?

If you liked tick, tick... BOOM!, try Sing Street, Almost Famous, Whiplash and Billy Elliot.