The Importance of Being Earnest poster
Where to stream

The Importance of Being Earnest

6.820021h 37mPGMovieComedyDramaHistory

Two young gentlemen living in 1890s England use the same pseudonym ('Ernest') on the sly, which is fine until they both fall in love with women using that name, which leads to a comedy of mistaken identities.

DirectorOliver Parker
WriterOliver Parker
ProducersUri Fruchtmann·Barnaby Thompson

Where to watch

SBS On DemandSBS On Demand
Availability shown for Australia · rights vary by country

Cast · Directed by Oliver Parker

RERupert Everett
Rupert Everett
Algernon “Algy” Moncrieff
CFColin Firth
Colin Firth
John “Jack” Worthing
RWReese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon
Cecily Cardew
JDJudi Dench
Judi Dench
Lady Bracknell
TWTom Wilkinson
Tom Wilkinson
Dr. Chasuble
FOFrances O'Connor
Frances O'Connor
Gwendolen Fairfax
AMAnna Massey
Anna Massey
Miss Laetitia Prism
EFEdward Fox
Edward Fox
Lane
PGPatrick Godfrey
Patrick Godfrey
Merriman
CKCharles Kay
Charles Kay
Gribsby
MFMarsha Fitzalan
Marsha Fitzalan
Dowager
CSCyril Shaps
Cyril Shaps
Pew Opener

More from Rupert Everett · Lead actor

Play for Today
Play for Today
1970 · 6.6
Black Mirror
Black Mirror
2011 · 8.3
Boston Legal
Boston Legal
2004 · 7.9
Emily in Paris
Emily in Paris
2020 · 7.5
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
2005 · 7.1
Shrek the Third
Shrek the Third
2007 · 6.3
Shrek 2
Shrek 2
2004 · 7.3
Rivals
Rivals
2024 · 7.5
The Musketeers
The Musketeers
2014 · 7.1
Napoleon
Napoleon
2023 · 6.3
See all fromRupert Everett

More from Colin Firth · Co-star actor

Disclosure Day
Disclosure Day
2026 · 7.5
Crown Court
Crown Court
1972 · 5.7
Young Sherlock
Young Sherlock
2026 · 7.8
Screen Two
Screen Two
1985 · 7.1
Kingsman: The Secret Service
Kingsman: The Secret Service
2015 · 7.6
Kingsman: The Golden Circle
Kingsman: The Golden Circle
2017 · 6.9
1917
1917
2019 · 8.0
Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice
1995 · 8.2
Performance
Performance
1991 · 6.3
Love Actually
Love Actually
2003 · 7.1
See all fromColin Firth

More from Oliver Parker · Director

Johnny English Reborn
Johnny English Reborn
2011 · 6.2
Dorian Gray
Dorian Gray
2009 · 6.0
Dad's Army
Dad's Army
2016 · 5.0
Funny Woman
Funny Woman
2023 · 6.9
St Trinian's
St Trinian's
2007 · 5.9
St Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold
St Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold
2009 · 5.6
An Ideal Husband
An Ideal Husband
1999 · 6.5
The Great Escaper
The Great Escaper
2023 · 6.6
Swimming with Men
Swimming with Men
2018 · 6.1
Othello
Othello
1995 · 6.4
See all fromOliver Parker

More like this

Emma.
Emma.
2020 · 7.0
Persuasion
Persuasion
2022 · 6.1
Far from the Madding Crowd
Far from the Madding Crowd
2015 · 7.0
Emma
Emma
1996 · 6.6
Far from the Madding Crowd
Far from the Madding Crowd
1967 · 6.9
Mr Malcolm's List
Mr Malcolm's List
2022 · 5.9
Housesitter
Housesitter
1992 · 6.2
Drive Me Crazy
Drive Me Crazy
1999 · 6.6
The Wedding Date
The Wedding Date
2005 · 6.8
Firelight
Firelight
1998 · 6.7
Sense and Sensibility
Sense and Sensibility
1995 · 7.4
A California Christmas
A California Christmas
2020 · 6.4

The Importance of Being Earnest — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams The Importance of Being Earnest?

The Importance of Being Earnest is streaming on SBS On Demand in Australia, and available to rent or buy on JustWatch TV and Apple TV Store. It's not currently on Netflix.

Is The Importance of Being Earnest on Netflix?

No, The Importance of Being Earnest is not on Netflix in Australia as of September 2026. It's currently on SBS On Demand.

Is The Importance of Being Earnest on Amazon Prime Video?

The Importance of Being Earnest isn't included with a Prime Video subscription in Australia, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video.

Where can I watch The Importance of Being Earnest for free?

The Importance of Being Earnest is available to stream free (with ads) on SBS On Demand in Australia.