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Yesterday (2019 film)

Yesterday is a 2019 British romantic comedy fantasy film directed by Danny Boyle and written by Richard Curtis, from a story by Jack Barth and Curtis.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Yesterday is a 2019 British romantic comedy fantasy film directed by Danny Boyle and written by Richard Curtis, from a story by Jack Barth and Curtis. It stars Himesh Patel as a struggling musician who wakes up in a world where he is the only person who remembers the Beatles and becomes famous performing their songs.

Premise

The story centers on a struggling singer-songwriter who wakes up in an alternate present after a global blackout, with no one else remembering the Beatles. He begins performing their songs as his own and rises to international fame.

Cast

The main cast includes Himesh Patel as Jack Malik and Lily James as Ellie Appleton. Supporting roles include Joel Fry, Ed Sheeran playing himself, and Kate McKinnon.

Production

Yesterday was directed by Danny Boyle from a screenplay by Richard Curtis, based on a story by Curtis and Jack Barth. It was produced by Working Title Films and released by Universal Pictures.

Reception and release

The film was released in the United Kingdom and the United States on 28 June 2019. It was promoted as a romantic comedy with a Beatles-inspired premise.

Key facts

  • The film follows Jack Malik, a musician who becomes famous after discovering he is the only person who remembers the Beatles.
  • Himesh Patel plays the lead role of Jack Malik.
  • The film was directed by Danny Boyle and written by Richard Curtis.
  • Ed Sheeran appears in the film as himself.
  • The movie combines romance, comedy, music, and fantasy elements.
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Canadian context

The film was distributed internationally by Universal Pictures and was part of the broader global release of a British-English-language feature that received attention in Canadian media and among Canadian audiences.

Frequently asked questions

What is Yesterday about?
It follows a struggling musician who finds himself in a world where the Beatles never existed, letting him perform their songs as if they were his own.
Who directed Yesterday?
Danny Boyle directed the film.
Who wrote Yesterday?
Richard Curtis wrote the screenplay, based on a story by Curtis and Jack Barth.
Who stars in Yesterday?
Himesh Patel stars as Jack Malik, with Lily James, Joel Fry, Ed Sheeran, and Kate McKinnon in supporting roles.
When was Yesterday released?
It was released on 28 June 2019.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yesterday_(2019_film)
    Supports: Director, writer, story credit, plot premise, and principal cast.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/yesterday_2019
    Supports: Genre, release date, runtime, distributor, production companies, and synopsis.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8079248/plotsummary/
    Supports: Plot summary and main character details.
  4. BBC Culture — https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20190625-film-review-yesterday
    Supports: Film premise and British romantic-comedy framing.