Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

The Death of Stalin

  • 20172017
  • RR
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
102K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,727
71
The Death of Stalin (2017)
In the days following Stalin's collapse, his core team of ministers tussle for control; some want positive change in the Soviet Union, others have more sinister motives. Their one common trait? They're all just desperately trying to remain alive.
Play trailer2:22
4 Videos
99+ Photos
ComedyDramaHistory
Moscow, 1953. After being in power for nearly 30 years, Soviet dictator Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin takes ill and quickly dies. Now the members of the Council of Ministers scramble for powe... Read allMoscow, 1953. After being in power for nearly 30 years, Soviet dictator Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin takes ill and quickly dies. Now the members of the Council of Ministers scramble for power.Moscow, 1953. After being in power for nearly 30 years, Soviet dictator Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin takes ill and quickly dies. Now the members of the Council of Ministers scramble for power.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
102K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,727
71
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Armando Iannucci
    • Writers
      • Fabien Nury(based on the comic books by)
      • Thierry Robin(based on the comic books by)
      • Armando Iannucci
    • Stars
      • Steve Buscemi
      • Simon Russell Beale
      • Jeffrey Tambor
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Armando Iannucci
    • Writers
      • Fabien Nury(based on the comic books by)
      • Thierry Robin(based on the comic books by)
      • Armando Iannucci
    • Stars
      • Steve Buscemi
      • Simon Russell Beale
      • Jeffrey Tambor
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 405User reviews
    • 278Critic reviews
    • 88Metascore
    • Nominated for 2 BAFTA Awards
      • 18 wins & 40 nominations total

    Videos4

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:22
    Official Trailer
    Official Trailer #2
    Trailer 0:53
    Official Trailer #2
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:28
    Official Trailer
    The Death of Stalin
    Clip 0:48
    The Death of Stalin

    Photos118

    Jason Isaacs at an event for The Death of Stalin (2017)
    Armando Iannucci and Andrea Riseborough at an event for The Death of Stalin (2017)
    Andrea Riseborough at an event for The Death of Stalin (2017)
    Jason Isaacs, Armando Iannucci, Hussain Currimbhoy, Andrea Riseborough, and Christopher Willis at an event for The Death of Stalin (2017)
    Jason Isaacs, Armando Iannucci, and Andrea Riseborough at an event for The Death of Stalin (2017)
    Steve Buscemi, Jason Isaacs, and Andrea Riseborough at an event for The Death of Stalin (2017)
    Steve Buscemi at an event for The Death of Stalin (2017)
    Jason Isaacs at an event for The Death of Stalin (2017)
    Andrea Riseborough at an event for The Death of Stalin (2017)
    Steve Buscemi at an event for The Death of Stalin (2017)
    The Death of Stalin (2017)
    Steve Buscemi, Michael Palin, Jeffrey Tambor, Jason Isaacs, Simon Russell Beale, Rupert Friend, and Andrea Riseborough in The Death of Stalin (2017)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Steve Buscemi
    Steve Buscemi
    • Nikita Khrushchev
    Simon Russell Beale
    Simon Russell Beale
    • Lavrenti Beria
    Jeffrey Tambor
    Jeffrey Tambor
    • Georgy Malenkov
    Andrea Riseborough
    Andrea Riseborough
    • Svetlana
    Olga Kurylenko
    Olga Kurylenko
    • Maria Veniaminovna Yudina
    Tom Brooke
    Tom Brooke
    • Sergei
    Paddy Considine
    Paddy Considine
    • Andreyev
    Justin Edwards
    Justin Edwards
    • Spartak Sokolov (Conductor 1)
    Adrian McLoughlin
    Adrian McLoughlin
    • Josef Stalin
    Michael Palin
    Michael Palin
    • Vyacheslav Molotov
    Paul Ready
    Paul Ready
    • NKVD Officer Delov
    Julia Mulligan
    • Woman in Layers of Clothes
    • (as Yulya Muhrygina)
    Andrei Korzhenevsky
    • Man in Layers of Clothes
    • (as Andrey Korzhenevskiy)
    Roger Ashton-Griffiths
    Roger Ashton-Griffiths
    • Musician 1
    • (as Roger Ashton Griffiths)
    Jeremy Limb
    • Musician 2
    Andy Gathergood
    Andy Gathergood
    • Citizen Bundled into Car
    Oleksandr Piskunov
    • Young Man Snitch
    • (as Alexandr Piskunov)
    Ruslav Neupokoev
    • Middle Aged Man
    • Director
      • Armando Iannucci
    • Writers
      • Fabien Nury(based on the comic books by) (original screenplay by)
      • Thierry Robin(based on the comic books by)
      • Armando Iannucci
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    More like this

    In the Loop
    7.4
    In the Loop
    Four Lions
    7.2
    Four Lions
    Darkest Hour
    7.4
    Darkest Hour
    The Thick of It
    8.7
    The Thick of It
    The BBQ
    4.9
    The BBQ
    The Tank
    4.2
    The Tank
    Andron
    2.7
    Andron
    In Bruges
    7.9
    In Bruges
    Paris Countdown
    4.5
    Paris Countdown
    The Crown and the Dragon
    3.8
    The Crown and the Dragon
    Out the Window
    Khali the Killer
    3.8
    Khali the Killer

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Writer and director Armando Iannucci insisted on not having the characters speak with Russian accents, for two reasons: he thought it would take audiences out of the movie, and he did not want the actors and actresses to worry about their accents when improvising. In a promotional interview on BBC Radio 5 for the U.K. release, Iannucci stated that Russian journalists who had previewed this movie praised the decision.
    • Goofs
      Malenkov did not become General Secretary of the Communist Party when Stalin died. He did, however, become Premier of the Soviet Union. The Soviet leadership was clearly in flux, and Malenkov never had the status of obvious successor to Stalin that the movie implies. He did not chair the Politburo meeting after Stalin died; Khrushchev did.
    • Quotes

      Nikita Khrushchev: I really need your help.

      Georgy Zhukov: To do what? There's bodies fucking piling up in the street, it's a bit late, isn't it?

      Nikita Khrushchev: What if we blame this on someone...

      Georgy Zhukov: Wait...

      Nikita Khrushchev: Who's out of control?

      Georgy Zhukov: Nicky, be very careful what you say next. Who?

      Nikita Khrushchev: Beria.

      Georgy Zhukov: I'm going to have to report this conversation. Threatening to do harm or obstruct any member of the Presidium in the process of...

      [grins]

      Georgy Zhukov: Look at your fucking face!

      [bursts out laughing]

    • Crazy credits
      Black-and-white photographs of the main characters appear over the end credits, but various figures are airbrushed out, have their faces defaced, or have other people superimposed over them, as per Soviet photos of Trotsky and purge victims.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Last Leg: Episode #13.3 (2017)
    • Soundtracks
      Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K488
      Written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

      Performed by Galaxy Symphonic Orchestra

    User reviews405

    Review
    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    A great political satire
    Watched this at the cinema last night and although I was looking forward to it and was expecting it to be good I was still pleasantly surprised.

    Firstly: the actors all put in very believable and impressive performances. A joy to behold. Secondly: the plot is as intruiging as it is funny and really keeps you glued to the screen. Thirdly: this made me laugh out loud at least five times during it's run-time. You know: the sort of laughs you just can't hold back even if you try.

    In essence this is a very dark film that makes light of the crimes against humanity all these people were actually guilty of comitting. Some people might find it offensive that they are portrayed as quite funny and engaging characters. But I think Iannucci does such a good job reminding the audience of the nature of these people that he keeps a balance and really succeeds with this movie.

    Very enjoyable. One of the best movies of the year. I really enjoyed this - and if you like whitty dialogue, good acting and an intelligently unfolded plot - you will too.
    helpful•135
    44
    • nphilip21
    • Dec 21, 2017

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 9, 2018 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • France
      • Belgium
      • Canada
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official site (Germany)
      • Official website (au)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Смерть Сталіна
    • Filming locations
      • Olesya Honchara 45b, Kyiv, Ukraine
    • Production companies
      • Quad
      • Main Journey
      • Gaumont
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $13,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $8,047,856
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $184,805
      • Mar 11, 2018
    • Gross worldwide
      • $24,646,055
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 47 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    The Death of Stalin (2017)
    Top Gap
    What is the Hindi language plot outline for The Death of Stalin (2017)?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View image
    Photos
    These Stars Are on the Rise
    See the gallery
    View list
    List
    Fall TV Guide: The Best Shows Coming This Year
    See the full list
    View image
    Photos
    Double Take: Celebrity Twins
    See the full list
    Back to top

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more access
    Sign in for more access
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.