Helen Mirren’s real-life comedy-drama that’s “a winner on every level” is now streaming on the BBC

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The popular 2003 film, inspired by a true story and featuring Helen Mirren alongside Julie Walters and Celia Imrie (known from Mamma Mia!), is now streaming on BBC iPlayer.

Last night, February 22nd, BBC Two aired Calendar Girls, directed by Nigel Cole and written by Tom Firth and Juliette Towhidi. You can now stream the film on BBC iPlayer.

Helen Mirren, Brenda Blethyn, and Celia Imrie star in a remarkable cast alongside Linda Bassett, Annette Crosbie, Penelope Wilton, Geraldine James, Harriet Thorpe, and Philip Glenister.

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The movie Calendar Girls is based on a real-life event. It tells the story of a group of women in Yorkshire, England, who decide to pose nude for a calendar to raise money for blood cancer research (originally known as Leukaemia Research).

Imelda Staunton plays Annie Clarke, a woman coping with her husband’s terminal leukemia diagnosis. After he dies, Annie and her friend Chris Harper (Helen Mirren) join forces with nine other women in their Women’s Institute to create a nude calendar, all to raise money for their local hospital.

The film Calendar Girls was a hit with both audiences and critics. It earned $93.4 million despite only costing $10 million to make, and reviewers praised it as well.

Cole’s new movie is currently rated ‘Certified Fresh’ on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 73% approval rating based on 124 reviews. Critics have called it a sweet but predictable comedy, and many have compared it to the popular film The Full Monty.

Viewers have been enjoying the film, with one person on IMDb describing it as excellent in every way. They specifically highlighted the strong performances and direction, calling the movie heartwarming, funny, charming, and thoroughly entertaining.

One viewer described the film as heartwarming, humorous, and fulfilling, but admitted it was a little sweet at times, though mostly genuine and pleasant.

Someone who usually loves action movies was surprisingly charmed by Calendar Girls, finding it enjoyable due to its blend of lighthearted humor, a talented group of actors, and a genuinely touching conclusion.

In 2003, Calendar Girls won the British Comedy Award for Best Comedy Film. It was also recognized with a Best Screenplay nomination at the British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs), and Helen Mirren received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance.

Calendar Girls is streaming on BBC iPlayer.

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2026-02-24 02:19