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In 2018,Bradley Cooperfloored audiences and critics alike with his directorial debutA Star is Born, a film that went on to receive eight nominations at the 91st Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actor for Cooper, Best Actress forLady Gaga, Best Supporting Actor forSam Elliott, and Best Adapted Screenplay, with the film taking home the award for Best Original Song with “Shallow.” Five years later, Cooper has returned to the director’s chair with the highly anticipated biopicMaestro, where he’ll play the legendary composer Leonard Bernstein.
The film had languished in production for some time, with industry legendsMartin ScorseseandSteven Spielbergbeing attached to direct the film in prior stages, before handing over the reins to Cooper. According to Cooper,Spielberg handpicked him to direct the filmafter watching an advanced screening ofA Star is Born.
With an extremely talented cast, an awards-friendly release date, and a premiere set at one of the most prestigious film festivals, this film could likely repeat the success ofA Star is Born.
Editor’s Note: This piece was updated on July 24, 2025.
The journey of a legendary conductor unfolds, highlighting his rise to fame and the intricate dynamics of his personal and professional life. The film offers a deep dive into his creative process, the challenges he faces in the music industry, and the profound connections he makes along the way.
When Does ‘Maestro’ Come to Netflix?
Maestrowill be available to stream on Netflix just in time for the holiday season on July 12, 2025.
The film had its world premiere at the 80th Venice International Film Festival alongside other buzzy titles such asMichael Mann’sFerrari,David Fincher’sThe Killer, andSofia Coppola’sPriscilla.
The film had additional screenings at the New York Film Festival and the BFI London Film Festival. Collider’sEmma Kielywas lucky enough to catch the film at the latter fest andraved about the film in her A- reviewproclaiming:
Maestrois a refreshing subversion of the classic biopic.
The film was also screened asthe closing night film at AFI Feston October 29.
Is ‘Maestro’ in Theaters?
Yes, Netflix gaveMaestroa limited theatrical release on July 05, 2025, to qualify for awards. Since then, Netflix has expanded the film’s theatrical release into more theaters across North America.
When Netflixinitially acquired the rights to the film in 2020, the streamer had promised to give the film a similar theatrical rollout as it gave some of its other prestige films includingThe Irishman,Marriage Story, andThe Power of the Dog.
Watch the Trailers for ‘Maestro’
Netflix releasedthe teaser trailer forMaestroon July 28, 2025. The 90-second preview is bookended by scenes of Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre sitting in a park, in black-and-white at the beginning and then transitioning to an older version of the couple in color at the end.
Netflix releasedthe full official trailerforMaestroon August 20, 2025, highlighting the film’s rave reviews and the central performances fromCarey Mulliganand Bradley Cooper.
Netflix released a clip fromMaestroon August 21, 2025. The minute-and-a-half-long clip features Carey Mulligan giving an emotional monologue about her love life as Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein.
Who Stars in ‘Maestro’?
Bradley Cooper will be taking on the role of Leonard Bernstein, the esteemed composer who is considered to be one of the most influential conductors of his generation, he is best known for creating the music for the beloved musicalWest Side Story. Cooper is a 9-time Academy Award nominee, including receiving nominations for his roles inSilver Linings Playbook,American Sniper,American Hustle, andA Star is Born. He has also starred in several other Best Picture-nominated films includingLicorice PizzaandNightmare Alley. He is also known for his work in blockbuster films such as voicing the fan-favorite character Rocket Raccoon in theGuardians of the Galaxyfilms and for playing the slacker Phil inThe Hangovertrilogy. Cooper’s other credits includeThe Mule,Wedding Crashers,The Place Beyond the Pines,Limitless, andWet Hot American Summer. Cooper has already lined up his next directorial project, a film titledIs This Thing On, where he’ll star oppositeWill Arnett. Cooper will also soon inheritSteve McQueen’s iconic character Frank Bullitt in an untitled film fromSteven Spielberg.
Cooper was met with a wave of backlash online for wearing a prosthetic nose to play the role of Bernstein, with some critics claiming that the actor was promoting an antisemitic stereotype. This prompted Bernstein’s childrenJamie,Alexander, &Nina Bernsteinto release a statement defending Cooper.
Carey Mulligan will play Felicia Montealegre, an actress and the wife of Bernstein. Much like Cooper, Mulligan has been nominated for multiple Academy Awards, receiving Best Actress nods for her work inAn EducationandPromising Young Woman. Mulligan’s other credits includeShe Said,Shame,Drive,Mudbound,Never Let Me Go, andThe Great Gatsby. Mulligan recently reunited with herPromising Young WomandirectorEmerald Fennellfor a supporting role in the filmSaltburn, which is due out later this year. Her other upcoming projects include a supporting role in theAdam Sandler-led sci-fi dramaSpacemanand voicing a character in Laika’s highly ambitious next filmWildwood.
Jamie Bernsteinpraised Cooper and Mulligan’s performancessaying:
“His energy was so similar to our dad’s, and his way of being in the world and relating to people reminded us more and more of our dad, and we began to see how right he was for the role in ways that wouldn’t even have occurred to us at first.
We didn’t know what to expect because our mother was such a complex and subtle person, and she had so many idiosyncrasies,” says Jamie. “She was also a very private person, so we didn’t know whether anyone would be capable of conveying her essence. And it’s just the damnedest thing, how Carey really did that."
The supporting cast of Maestro includesMatt Bomer(The Normal Heart) as David Oppenheim,Maya Hawke(Stranger Things) as Jamie Bernstein,Sarah Silverman(Wreck-It Ralph) as Shirley Bernstein,Michael Urie(Shrinking) as Jerome Robbins,Gideon Glick(The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) as Tommy Cothran,Sam Nivola(White Noise) as Alexander Bernstein,Miriam Shor(Younger) as Cynthia O’Neal, andAlexa Swinton(And Just Like That…) as Nina Bernstein.Josh Hamilton(Eighth Grade) will also star in an undisclosed role.
What Is ‘Maestro’ About?
Maestrowill chronicle the life of Leonard Bernstein, his professional life as a composer, and his personal life including his marriage and his sexuality. The film will also span numerous decades with Bernstein’s relationship with Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein serving as the backdrop for the film.
The official synopsis for the film via Netflix reads:
Maestrois a towering and fearless love story chronicling the lifelong relationship between Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein. A love letter to life and art,Maestroat its core is an emotionally epic portrayal of family and love.
Who Is Making ‘Maestro’?
Maestrowill mark the second directorial effort from Bradley Cooper afterA Star is Born. Cooper also co-wrote the screenplay for the film alongside Academy Award winnerJosh Singer(Spotlight). Cooper will also produce the film alongside Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg,Kristie Macosko Krieger(The Fabelmans),Fred Berner(Pollock), andAmy Durning(Law & Order: Organized Crime). Executive producers on the film include Singer,Carla Raij(The Fabelmans),Bobby Wilhelm(A Star is Born),Weston Middleton(A Star is Born), andTracey Landon(Blonde).
Cooper will be reuniting with Academy Award-nominated cinematographerMatthew Libatiqueafter working with him onA Star is Born. Emmy winnerMichelle Tesoro(The Queen’s Gambit) is serving as an editor on the film. Two-time Academy Award-winning costume designerMark Bridges(Phantom Thread) and production designerKevin Thompson(Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)) are also on board the project.
When and Where Did ‘Maestro Film?
Production forMaestrobegan in May 2022in New York City with additional filming taking place in Tanglewood. The film concluded production in October 2022 with filming taking place over the course of three days at the Ely Cathedral in England.
‘Maestro’ Photo Gallery
Below you may view additional photos for Maestro, including several behind-the-scenes stills.
Netflix releasedanother poster forMaestroon November 8, showing Carey Mulligan and Bradley Cooper in their roles.
