🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Danny Boyle
- Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Music, Romance
- Release year: 2019
- Runtime (length): 1h 56min
- IMDb rating: 6.8/10 (176K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 63%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A struggling musician gets hit by a bus during a global blackout and wakes up to discover he’s the only one who remembers The Beatles, so he steals their songs, becomes famous, but then realizes love is more important than fame and plagiarism, which is probably what John Lennon would have wanted.
🍿 Yesterday: Detailed Plot Synopsis
A World Without The Beatles
Jack Malik is a struggling musician whose career is going nowhere, despite the unwavering support of his friend and manager, Ellie. One night, a global blackout occurs, and Jack is hit by a bus. He wakes up to find that he’s the only person who remembers The Beatles and their music. Initially, he’s bewildered, but he soon realizes the opportunity before him.

Riding the Wave of Beatlemania (Again)
Jack begins performing The Beatles’ songs, claiming them as his own. He quickly gains attention, and his career skyrockets. He catches the eye of Ed Sheeran, who invites him to be his opening act. Jack is thrust into the world of fame and fortune, navigated by the ruthless music agent Debra Hammer. He’s living the dream, but at what cost?

The Moral Dilemma of Plagiarism
As Jack’s fame grows, he’s increasingly haunted by the fact that he’s built his success on someone else’s work. He struggles with the guilt and the pressure to maintain the lie. He starts drifting away from Ellie, the one person who truly understands him, and he realizes that fame may not be worth sacrificing everything he holds dear.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Jack Malik (Himesh Patel): A struggling musician who becomes the only person to remember The Beatles and uses their music to achieve stardom.
- Ellie Appleton (Lily James): Jack’s supportive best friend and manager, who harbors unrequited romantic feelings for him.
- Ed Sheeran (Ed Sheeran): A famous pop star who discovers Jack’s talent and helps him rise to fame, unaware of the source of his music.
- Debra Hammer (Kate McKinnon): Ed Sheeran’s ruthless agent who takes on Jack and tries to mold him into a global superstar.
- Rocky (Joel Fry): Jack’s loyal but inept roadie who accompanies him on his journey to fame.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Jack: “I had a dream, and it was all the best songs. The best songs anyone ever wrote.” – Jack tries to explain the situation to Ellie after realizing The Beatles are gone.
- Ed Sheeran: “He’s like a musical version of me, but he’s better at the music part.” – Ed Sheeran expresses his amazement at Jack’s songwriting talent, unaware that he is actually performing Beatles’ songs.
- Debra: “You are about to become bigger than The Beatles.” – Debra Hammer, Jack’s manager, is a ruthless agent who believes in Jack’s potential for superstardom.
- John Lennon: “You want a good life? It’s not complicated. Tell the girl you love that you love her.” – John Lennon gives Jack advice when they finally meet.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $26,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $73,286,650
- Worldwide Gross: $154,608,856
💥 Yesterday Reviews
Personal Review
I absolutely adored ‘Yesterday’! As a lifelong Beatles fan, the concept alone had me hooked, but the movie delivered on so much more. Himesh Patel’s performance was fantastic, and Lily James brought so much warmth and charm to the role of Ellie. I teared up during the rooftop concert scene—it was such a powerful moment. This movie reminded me why I fell in love with The Beatles in the first place, and left me feeling genuinely happy and nostalgic. I walked out of the theater whistling ‘Hey Jude’ and immediately wanted to watch it again. Five stars!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Beatles fans”
- “Fans of romantic comedies”
- “Viewers who enjoy feel-good movies”
- “Those interested in alternate reality scenarios”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Mild language”
- “Suggestive content”
- “Brief drug references”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “A charming and whimsical premise elevated by the timeless music of The Beatles. While the romantic subplot feels somewhat predictable, Himesh Patel delivers a standout performance, capturing the essence of a struggling artist grappling with an extraordinary situation. A feel-good movie that will leave you humming.
- The Hollywood Reporter: “Danny Boyle’s direction and Richard Curtis’s script combine for a crowd-pleasing film, but it lacks the depth and substance of their best work. Patel’s vocals shine, and the humor lands well. The core concept is brilliant, though the execution relies too heavily on familiar rom-com tropes. A fun watch, but not a lasting classic.
- Empire: “A delightful and inventive movie that celebrates the genius of The Beatles. Himesh Patel shines, and Lily James is utterly charming. Though the plot occasionally veers into predictable territory, the film’s heart and humor make it a truly enjoyable experience. A must-see for Beatles fans.
Audience Reactions
The film’s creative concept and imaginative plot resonated deeply with audiences.: Viewers universally praised Himesh Patel’s singing and acting, and the charming dynamic between the leads.
Fans loved how the movie celebrated the music and legacy of The Beatles.: Most people agreed the rooftop concert was a highlight, filled with emotion and great music.
Overall Consensus: A feel-good film that celebrates the music of The Beatles, with strong performances from the leads, though some found the plot predictable.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Himesh Patel, who plays Jack Malik, performed all of the singing and played the guitar live during filming, adding authenticity to his portrayal of a musician.”
- “The film explores not only the absence of The Beatles but also other cultural touchstones, like Coca-Cola, cigarettes, and Harry Potter, suggesting a ripple effect of the blackout event.”
- “Director Danny Boyle is known for his energetic and visually distinctive style. He brought a more mainstream approach to Yesterday, balancing his signature flair with Richard Curtis’s rom-com sensibilities.”
🖥️ How to Watch Yesterday?
Yesterday is available to rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for streaming availability. Physical copies (Blu-ray/DVD) can be purchased through major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Yesterday, you might like these similar films:
- Sliding Doors (1998): Explores how seemingly small choices or chance events can lead to drastically different life paths, similar to how the blackout changes Jack’s destiny.
- Begin Again (2013): Another story about the music industry and a struggling artist finding their voice, featuring heartfelt music and romance.
- Sing Street (2016): Shares a love of music, romance, and coming-of-age themes, with a feel-good atmosphere
- Back to the Future (1985): Explores how changes to the past can alter the present, although ‘Yesterday’ focuses on cultural impact rather than personal history.
🛒 Yesterday Related Products
- Yesterday (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Relive the magic with this soundtrack featuring Himesh Patel’s heartfelt renditions of The Beatles’ greatest hits.
- The Beatles – Abbey Road (Remastered): Celebrate the source of the magic with a remastered version of Abbey Road, a must-have for any true Beatles aficionado.
- Yesterday Movie Poster: Showcase your love for the film with a high-quality reproduction of the movie poster, perfect for any music lover’s room.
- The Beatles: Get Back: Delve deeper into The Beatles’ creative process with this behind-the-scenes documentary, a perfect companion to the movie.
🎧 Soundtrack
Yesterday features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Yesterday” – performed by Himesh Patel
- “Let It Be” – performed by Himesh Patel
- “Hey Jude” – performed by Himesh Patel
- “The Long and Winding Road” – performed by Himesh Patel
- “Something” – performed by Himesh Patel
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Besides The Beatles, Coca-Cola, cigarettes, and the Harry Potter franchise also disappeared from the world’s collective memory. The film uses these absences for comedic effect and to highlight the impact of cultural phenomena.
No, Yesterday is a work of fiction. The premise of a world without The Beatles is a creative concept explored in a romantic comedy setting.
Himesh Patel, who plays Jack Malik, performs all the Beatles songs in the movie himself. He learned to play the guitar and sing to convincingly portray the musician.
🔥 Bonus Content
Yesterday – Deleted Scene with Ana de Armas
Calling all Beatles fans! This deleted scene from Yesterday features the iconic Ana de Armas and gives us a taste of what could have been. Get ready to dive into an alternate storyline and see how it might have changed the movie’s trajectory.
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