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The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Play trailer Poster for The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel PG-13 2012 2h 4m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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77% Tomatometer 163 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Some British retirees (Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy) decide to outsource their retirement to exotic -- and less expensive -- India. Lured by advertisements for the newly restored Marigold Hotel and imagining a life of leisure in lush surroundings, they arrive and find that the Marigold is actually a shell of its former self. Though their new home is not quite what they had imagined, the retirees find that life and love can begin again when they let go of their pasts.
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The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

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Critics Consensus

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel isn't groundbreaking storytelling, but it's a sweet story about the senior set featuring a top-notch cast of veteran actors.

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Critics Reviews

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Scott Foundas Film Comment Magazine Jun 20, 2013
It's a movie about finding purpose in life, late in life, that makes its point by first subjecting its characters to the most reductive grumpy-old-men/women shenanigans. Go to Full Review Leslie Felperin Variety Jan 22, 2013
Underneath all larkiness, "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" makes interesting points about the challenges facing elderly people trying to cope in an adverse economic climate, and the globalization of service industries. Go to Full Review Marjorie Baumgarten Austin Chronicle May 11, 2012
2.5/5
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel represents genteel filmmaking at its finest. Go to Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Nov 20, 2022
3.5/4
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel puts a smile on your face that refuses to fade, in large part because it allows us to enjoy a feel-good movie without feeling an ounce of shame afterward. Go to Full Review Richard Crouse Richard Crouse Jan 31, 2021
2.5/5
Feels like there is a really good movie hidden away in the layers of the film struggling to get out. Go to Full Review PJ Nabarro Patrick Nabarro Aug 21, 2020
2/5
There are one or two nice moments, but the unmistakable whiff of mediocrity does sully even the gentle, crowd-pleasing pursuits of this film. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Tamar C @RT15410728 Apr 15, 2026 Great movie! One of the best I've ever seen! See more Keith B B @Okbullard Dec 23, 2025 I gave it just over an hour and couldn't take anymore. Overall it was slow, lifeless and boring. I may have chuckled one or twice. I can't recommend it. See more Ron L @RT68144559 Nov 16, 2025 Witty, subtle and inspiring. And a great view into some India settings and atmosphere. See more James B @RT54975811 Oct 14, 2025 This was a really good movie. An all-star cast and just a great, fun, entertaining movie. Would highly recommend. See more donnie m @RT64375194 Sep 15, 2025 great movie-great actors-i' love to see more movies like this and Judi Dench is awesome See more Susanne B @RT87693695 Aug 15, 2025 This was an entertaining and highly enjoyable vision. It handles the problems of aging with a lighthearted spirit, in a surrounding where reality and fantasy, love and wisdom mix and lead to hope and optimism. Some amazing scenes of comedy. True, the script hinges from time to time, but it is made up by fine acting. See more Read all reviews
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

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Cast & Crew

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John Madden

Director

Judi Dench

Evelyn Greenslade

Maggie Smith

Muriel Donnelly

Bill Nighy

Douglas Ainslie

Penelope Wilton

Jean Ainslie

Tom Wilkinson

Graham Dashwood

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The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Dev Patel as Sonny in "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel." A scene from "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel." Maggie Smith as Muriel in "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel." Penelope Wilton as Jean in "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel." (L-R) Cecile Imrie as Madge, Diana Hardcastle as Carol and Ronald Pickup as Norm in "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel." Tom Wilkinson as Graham in "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel." Judi Dench as Evelyn in "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel." (L-R) Judi Dench as Evelyn, Tom Wilkinson as Graham and Bill Nighy as Douglas in "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel." (L-R) Judi Dench as Evelyn and Celia Imrie as Madge in "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel." Tena Desae as Sunaina and Dev Patel as Sonny in "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Some British retirees (Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy) decide to outsource their retirement to exotic -- and less expensive -- India. Lured by advertisements for the newly restored Marigold Hotel and imagining a life of leisure in lush surroundings, they arrive and find that the Marigold is actually a shell of its former self. Though their new home is not quite what they had imagined, the retirees find that life and love can begin again when they let go of their pasts.
Director
John Madden
Producer
Graham Broadbent, Peter Czernin
Screenwriter
Ol Parker
Distributor
Fox Searchlight
Production Co
Blueprint Productions
Rating
PG-13 (Sexual Content|Language)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 18, 2012, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 14, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$46.4M
Runtime
2h 4m
Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby Digital
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