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View Moonlight film page

Poster artwork for Moonlight — Original poster artwork · Great Cinema Master List

Spoiler-free premise

Across childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, Chiron searches for safety and intimacy while growing up Black and gay in Miami.

Read expanded premiseLonger, still spoiler-free

Three chapters follow Chiron as the quiet child Little, bullied teenager Chiron, and guarded adult Black. His relationships with mother Paula, mentor Juan, Juan's partner Teresa, and friend Kevin shape how he understands masculinity, desire, and care.

Why it belongs

Moonlight makes identity physical through blue light, ocean, touch, music, and three actors who preserve Chiron's guarded inner continuity.

Read expanded why it belongsThe fuller editorial case

Miami color, shallow focus, circling camera, slowed music, ocean lessons, shared meals, and intimate close-ups give tenderness physical weight. Hibbert, Sanders, and Rhodes carry the same listening stillness across Chiron's ages.

Major award record

Metadata only · zero points in 40/40/20

Academy Awards3 wins2017 · official ceremony record ↗

Best Picture2017 · Adele Romanski, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner, Producersofficial ceremony record ↗Writing (Adapted Screenplay)2017 · Screenplay by Barry Jenkins; Story by Tarell Alvin McCraneyofficial ceremony record ↗Actor in a Supporting Role2017 · Mahershala Aliofficial ceremony record ↗

Golden Globes1 win2017 · official film record ↗

Best Motion Picture - Drama2017 · Moonlightofficial film record ↗

Totals include every recorded competitive win. Only Picture or top-film honors, Direction, Screenplay, and lead or supporting performances are named.

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Film Club

Descriptive guidance derived from rating, genre, runtime, mood, and GCML scores.

Institutional reference ranks

Sight & Sound60IMDb Top 250—AFI 100—

Reference metadata only · not part of the 40/40/20 score

Great Cinema Master List scores

Greatness9.4

Engagement8.0

Ease6.8

English · Not Rated
Narrative Feature
Mood: Absorbing & Reflective