Directed by Bryan Singer and written by Anthony McCarten, Bohemian Rhapsody traces the journey of Freddie Mercury and the band Queen, with Rami Malek, Gwilym Lee, and Lucy Boynton in the cast. Released in theaters in France on October 31, 2018, the film is now available for streaming, already accessible on Disney+ and announced on HBO Max in France starting December 24, 2025.
The film follows Freddie Mercury's journey from his early days in London to Queen's international success. It shows the formation of the band, the writing of iconic songs such as Bohemian Rhapsody and We Are the Champions, and how their music and image left a lasting mark on the rock scene.
Throughout the narrative, the script highlights Freddie Mercury's relationships with his loved ones and artistic partners, his career choices, and the tensions that arise from them. The film ends with a reenactment of the 1985 Live Aid concert, a key moment in the band's trajectory, as the singer battles illness and returns to the stage for a performance that has become historic.
Produced by Graham King for GK Films and distributed in theaters by 20th Century Fox, Bohemian Rhapsody benefited from a major international promotional campaign. Filming took place in the United Kingdom and various studios, with detailed reconstructions of concert scenes, including Live Aid at Bovingdon Air Base. The film was completed by Dexter Fletcher after Bryan Singer left at the end of production. Rami Malek worked with a movement coach to reproduce Freddie Mercury's stage presence, and Queen's songs are performed on screen using recordings combining the voices of Freddie Mercury and singer Marc Martel. The film has won numerous awards, including Oscars and BAFTAs, for Rami Malek's performance and the sound and editing.
The feature film is aimed at a wide audience, from music and Queen fans to viewers attracted by biopics of famous artistic figures. The story focuses on the band's professional journey, musical creation, and the challenges of fame, with a tone that blends drama and concert energy, accessible even to those who know little about Freddie Mercury's story.
Our opinion on Bohemian Rhapsody (2018):
Bohemian Rhapsody is an interesting biopic for several reasons. First of all, it's a feast for the eyes and ears, as the film, which is linear in its narrative, is regularly punctuated by the band's hits, moving from one key stage to another in Queen's life. It's a true ode to the band's glory, with subtle and beautiful cinematography.
Secondly, for Rami Malek's performance, spellbinding in the role of Freddie Mercury, who manages to impress us on every level: from his early days as a baggage handler at Heathrow to the legendary Live Aid concert, via his descent into drug addiction and the apprehension of his HIV status, evoked at length at the very end of the film. Everything is scrutinized and tells a story.
However, this biopic only shows the band in a positive light, as if the filmmakers didn't want to dwell too much on Mercury's dark side. But it's a film that is certainly sincere and will undoubtedly delight all fans of this legendary band. It's a true declaration of love that is a joy to discover in theaters.
Bohemian Rhapsody
Film | 2018
On HBO Max December 24, 2025
Biopic / Drama | Running time: 2 hours 15 minutes
By Bryan Singer | Starring Rami Malek, Gwilym Lee, Lucy Boynton
Nationality: United Kingdom / United States
With its arrival on HBO Max, Bohemian Rhapsody continues to be available to stream to a wide audience, who can discover the story of Freddie Mercury and Queen through this musical and dramatic biopic.
To find out more, check out HBO Max's new releases for December, our guide to streaming releases across all platforms, and our selection of What to watch today on streaming.
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