

The Butler
2013, English. Directed by Lee Daniels.
One quiet voice can ignite a revolution.
Cecil Gaines was a sharecropper's son who grew up in the 1920s as a domestic servant for the white family who casually destroyed his. Eventually striking out on his own, Cecil becomes a hotel valet of such efficiency and discreteness in the 1950s that he becomes a butler in the White House itself. There, Cecil would serve numerous US Presidents over the decades as a passive witness of history with the American Civil Rights Movement gaining momentum even as his family has troubles of its own. As his wife, Gloria, struggles with alcoholism and his defiant eldest son, Louis, strives for a just world, Cecil must decide whether he should take action in his own way.
- Runtime
- 2h 12m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG-13
Start now and it ends at ….
Worth the Hype
Clear your evening for this.
7.3/10 from 3,110 TMDB viewer ratings.
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Cast & crew
- Lee DanielsDirector
- Forest WhitakerCecil Gaines
- Oprah WinfreyGloria Gaines
- David OyelowoLouis Gaines
- John CusackRichard Nixon
- Jane FondaNancy Reagan
- Cuba Gooding Jr.Carter Wilson
- Mariah CareyHattie Pearl
- Terrence HowardHoward
- Lenny KravitzJames Holloway
- Aml AmeenCecil Gaines (15)
- Michael Rainey Jr.Cecil Gaines (8)
- James MarsdenJohn F. Kennedy
Details
- Released
- 16 August 2013
- Country
- United States of America
- Written by
- Danny Strong
- Budget
- $25M
- Box office
- $177M
Check ratings elsewhere
News & fan talk
What The Butler is based on
The Butler is adapted from a real person.
Source details from Wikidata and TMDB.
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The Butler: quick answers
Is The Butler worth watching?
Our verdict is Worth the Hype: Clear your evening for this. It scores 7.3/10 from 3,110 TMDB viewer ratings.
How long is The Butler?
The Butler runs 132 minutes (2h 12m).
Does The Butler have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for The Butler. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
The Butler parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
The Butler is rated PG-13 in India. Check the rating guidance before watching with young children.
Which OTT platform is The Butler on?
The Butler isn’t on a subscription OTT platform in India, but you can rent it or buy it online. (Checked 10 November 2026.)
What movies are like The Butler?
If you liked The Butler, try All the Way, W., Selma.
Who directed The Butler?
The Butler (2013) was directed by Lee Daniels and stars Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, David Oyelowo.
What is The Butler based on?
The Butler is adapted from a real person.