Where can I watch Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives in the US?

As of 24 October 2026, it streams on the Strand Releasing Amazon Channel. You can also rent or buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home.

Who is in the cast of Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives?

Thanapat Saisaymar stars as Boonmee, with Jenjira Pongpas as Jen and Sakda Kaewbuadee as Tong. Natthakarn Aphaiwonk, Geerasak Kulhong and Wallapa Mongkolprasert also appear.

What is the plot of Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives?

A man with failing kidneys gathers relatives at his countryside home as his death approaches. He reflects on lives he may have lived before and plans a final journey to a place he wants to reach.

How long is Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives?

The film runs 114 minutes. It is spoken in Thai, Lao and French.

Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (2010)

Plot Summary: A Dying Man and His Many Lives

In the Thai countryside, Boonmee is living with failing kidneys and knows his time is running out. He does not face his final days alone. He gathers relatives around him at his rural home, and Jen and Tong are among the people at his side.

As the days pass, the boundary between the everyday world and something far older begins to soften. Boonmee starts to dwell on memories that seem to reach beyond his current life. He wonders what forms he may have taken before and what may come after. Alongside these reflections, he is set on making one last trip to a place he wants to see before he dies.

The story unfolds at a calm, contemplative pace. It draws on Buddhist ideas of reincarnation and the animist beliefs woven into rural life, and it treats the ordinary details of meals, rest and conversation with the same attention as its more mysterious moments. This is less a plot-driven film than a quiet meditation on memory, family and mortality.

Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives — Mood illustration, not a still from the film — Mood illustration, not a still from the film

What Makes It Notable

Writer-director: Apichatpong Weerasethakul wrote and directed the film. His Kick the Machine is among the production companies.
Cast: Thanapat Saisaymar leads as Boonmee. Jenjira Pongpas plays Jen and Sakda Kaewbuadee plays Tong. Natthakarn Aphaiwonk (Huay), Geerasak Kulhong (Boonsong) and Wallapa Mongkolprasert (Princess) also appear.
Genre: A blend of drama and fantasy that uses reincarnation, spirituality and animism as central themes.
International co-production: Although it is rooted in Thailand, the film was produced with partners from the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, France and the United States. Companies include Illuminations Films, Anna Sanders Films, The Match Factory, ZDF/Arte and Louverture Films, with backing from the Hubert Bals Fund.
Languages: The film is spoken in Thai, Lao and French. Its original title is ลุงบุญมีระลึกชาติ.
Runtime: 114 minutes.

If you are looking for a review-style overview, this film is best approached as slow, reflective world cinema rather than conventional fantasy entertainment.

Who Will Enjoy It

Fans of slow, meditative arthouse cinema
Viewers curious about Buddhism, reincarnation and spiritual themes on screen
Anyone exploring Thai and Southeast Asian filmmaking
Audiences who enjoy quiet family dramas with touches of the supernatural
Followers of Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s work

Release Date & Where to Watch

The film’s world release date is 25 June 2010. In the United States, it screened at the New York Film Festival on 25 September 2010 and at the Milwaukee Film Festival on 30 September 2010. A limited theatrical release followed on 2 March 2011, listed as not rated (NR).

As of 24 October 2026, US viewers have these options:

Streaming: Strand Releasing Amazon Channel
Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

A trailer is available.

Trailer

Cast

Thanapat Saisaymaras Boonmee
Jenjira Pongpasas Jen
Sakda Kaewbuadeeas Tong
Natthakarn Aphaiwonkas Huay
Geerasak Kulhongas Boonsong
Wallapa Mongkolprasertas Princess
Kanokporn Tongaramas Roong
Samud Kugasangas Jaai

Photo: TMDB

FAQ

When was Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives released?: Its world release date is 25 June 2010. In the US, it screened at the New York Film Festival on 25 September 2010 and opened in a limited theatrical release on 2 March 2011.
Where can I watch Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives in the US?: As of 24 October 2026, it streams on the Strand Releasing Amazon Channel. You can also rent or buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home.
Who is in the cast of Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives?: Thanapat Saisaymar stars as Boonmee, with Jenjira Pongpas as Jen and Sakda Kaewbuadee as Tong. Natthakarn Aphaiwonk, Geerasak Kulhong and Wallapa Mongkolprasert also appear.
What is the plot of Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives?: A man with failing kidneys gathers relatives at his countryside home as his death approaches. He reflects on lives he may have lived before and plans a final journey to a place he wants to reach.
How long is Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives?: The film runs 114 minutes. It is spoken in Thai, Lao and French.

Sources

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