Is The War of the Roses Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, The War of the Roses is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies.
It features a runtime of 116 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
The War of the Roses Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1989, The War of the Roses emerges as a significant entry in the Comedy, Drama domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Barbara and Oliver Rose live happily as a married couple. Unlike standard genre fare, The War of the Roses attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and The War of the Roses features a noteworthy lineup led by Michael Douglas . Supported by the likes of Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The War of the Roses (1989) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.9/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
The War of the Roses Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: The War of the Roses is a Comedy, Drama film that brings laughter through clever writing and comedic timing, offering both entertainment and social commentary. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. Barbara and Oliver Rose live happily as a married couple. When Barbara starts to wonder what life would be like without Oliver and likes what she sees, the two begin a campaign to force each other to leave their house, with their divorce lawyer D'Amato caught in the middle. The film finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks and running gags that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together running gags and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
The War of the Roses Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: The War of the Roses concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The War of the Roses reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The War of the Roses?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
The War of the Roses Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $26.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $160.2M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The War of the Roses Budget
The estimated production budget for The War of the Roses is $26.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Full Cast & Crew of The War of the Roses
- Michael Douglas – Oliver Rose
- Kathleen Turner – Barbara Rose
- Danny DeVito – Gavin D'Amato
- Marianne Sägebrecht – Susan
- Sean Astin – Josh at 17
Top Highlights
Michael DouglasOliver Rose
Kathleen TurnerBarbara Rose
Danny DeVitoGavin D'Amato
Marianne SägebrechtSusan
Sean AstinJosh at 17
Heather FairfieldCarolyn at 17
G. D. SpradlinHarry Thurmont
Peter DonatJason Larrabee
Dan CastellanetaMan in Chair
Gloria CromwellMrs. Marshall
Where to Watch The War of the Roses Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeParents Guide & Age Rating
The War of the Roses is rated R. It is intended for mature audiences only.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.9/10, and global collection metrics, The War of the Roses stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1989 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The War of the Roses movie hit or flop?
The War of the Roses has received mixed reviews with a 6.9/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is The War of the Roses worth watching?
The War of the Roses is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Comedy, Drama movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch The War of the Roses online?
The War of the Roses may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
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How The War of the Roses Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The War of the Roses
"The War of the Roses" is an uncompromising film based upon the eternally topical subject of divorce. It fits neatly into the same category as "When Harry Met Sally..." (1989), but where that yawn fest ruminated upon the boring notion that a man can never be just good friends with an attractive woman without sex becoming an inevitable issue and getting in the way of a beautiful friendship this film ponders the notion is there any such thing as an amicable divorce? The film which results from this preponderance is a brilliantly bitter and ugly one that takes the issue to the absolute extremes of human behaviour like never before as the luxurious marital home is gradually reduced to a shadowy and dangerous battlefield. Danny DeVito excels magnificently behind the camera as director and he achieves the admirable feat of producing eye catching visuals which don't dominate or derail the entire film.
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
Useful Links
Browse All Box Office ReportsGlobal Hit-or-Flop VerdictsIs it Worth Watching? GuideIs The War of the Roses Worth Watching?The War of the Roses Box Office VerdictThe War of the Roses Collection & BudgetWhere to Watch The War of the Roses OnlineMore Comedy MoviesMore Drama MoviesMichael Douglas Movies & Hits
