Lion

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2:21

Lion

PG-13

2016

2h 1m

Drama

Biography

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

84%

Tomatometer

267 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Five-year-old Saroo gets lost on a train which takes him thousands of miles across India, away from home and family. Saroo must learn to survive alone in Kolkata, before ultimately being adopted by an Australian couple. Twenty-five years later, armed with only a handful of memories, his unwavering determination, and a revolutionary technology known as Google Earth, he sets out to find his lost family and finally return to his first home.

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Critics Consensus

Lion's undeniably uplifting story and talented cast make it a moving journey that transcends the typical cliches of its genre.

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Christy Lemire

What the Flick?!

Jun 6, 2018

7.8/10

The beginning is harrowing and the end is heartbreaking.

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Alonso Duralde

What the Flick?!

Jun 6, 2018

6.5/10

I don't think I've ever seen a movie that's this much about the experience of adoption and the relation between adoptive parents and adopted children...it's a rich subject that we don't see much in film.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Apr 1, 2017

1-5 stars

Despite its wavering focus from its fascinating lead to his white supporting actors, this is an inspiring story about one young man's search for identity

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Jul 20, 2025

4/5

The feature film debut of award-winning commercial director Garth Davis, is a love letter instead of a power ballad that delivers genuine emotional heft all on its own, without the need to manufacture it for the sake of a movie.

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JD Duran

InSession Film

Aug 20, 2024

A-

Lion is a film that will rip your heart out, but in all the best ways possible.

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Denise Pieniazek

A Sala Llena (Argentina)

Jan 14, 2024

6/10

The story of the film begins in 1986, and some time later, after several events, an indian boy is adopted by an Australian couple. From here it is inevitable not to establish a point of contact with the 2005 film "Va, vis et deviens".

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mizz T

@smooches Sep 22, 2026

this movie made me sob and the reason i got the app. a gorgeous, gut wrenching, heart throbbing (not in a romance way), beautiful movie. i love a true story movie especially one that touches emotions and stories not commonly shared, and tho i have yet to read the book (will be 100%) this movie was so earnest. i hope the author agrees and is happy w the movie, we need more stories like this being represented and shared throughout the world because it brings light to globally shared experiences through different cultural lenses that can connect, unite, and educate! smooches to saroo and sharing his story

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 8, 2026

Lion = a 4.5 star Movie!

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Kim M

@Kmurphy54 Jun 9, 2026

The cast is outstanding. The story line could have taken an overused direction but it did not, making this much more interesting. It will keep you on the edge of your seat. The ending is a combination of joy and sadness. This is based on a true story. The filming in India is something Ameriicans rarely seeand is a treat. This is a wonderful movie and I highly recommend it.

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Matthew W.

@Mattrocks704 Apr 28, 2026

The “ok” review for an “ok” movie i would have rather do a growing up montage than jump straight to 20 years later. Great acting though

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Muhammad J

@RT22740050 Apr 16, 2026

The acting. the writing and the direction- All was flawless, I just didnt understand the unnecessary intimacy scenes between saru and his girl. That felt a bit extra and filler for the film.

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Kurt J

@RT89673864 Apr 14, 2026

Absolutely bad everything….actors did what they could so can’t really blame them. I know this movie is 10 years old and just viewed this on Netflix and created an account on Rotten Tomatoes just to leave this review. DO NOT WATCH if you have more than one brain cell. You’ve been warned.

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Synopsis

Five-year-old Saroo gets lost on a train which takes him thousands of miles across India, away from home and family. Saroo must learn to survive alone in Kolkata, before ultimately being adopted by an Australian couple. Twenty-five years later, armed with only a handful of memories, his unwavering determination, and a revolutionary technology known as Google Earth, he sets out to find his lost family and finally return to his first home.

Director: Garth Davis
Producer: Emile Sherman, Iain Canning, Angie Fielder
Screenwriter: Luke Davies
Distributor: Weinstein Co.
Production Co: See-Saw Films, Aquarius Films, Sunstar Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Material|Some Sensuality)
Genre: Drama, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 21, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $51.7M
Runtime: 2h 1m

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