The Time You Need a Friend (1984) film poster — UK streaming guide

Where to watch The Time You Need a Friend (1984) in the UK

The Time You Need a Friend (1984) is not currently listed on any UK streaming, rental, or purchase service. Last verified on 16 May 2026 by ScreenSearch.

John Woo's melodramatic tragicomedy The Time You Need a Friend (1985) stands at the crucial crossroads in the director's career. Woo had been churning out innocuous comedies for more than a few years, and after establishing the "heroic bloodshed" genre, he'd never look back. But this tale of two comedians - estranged former pals who bury the hatchet for one last show together - blends the pathos and male-bonding of Woo's later dramas with the silliness and pratfalls that marked his early works. At their peak, Ku Ren and Shem Bien were an unstoppable screen comedy team, the undisputed stars of the silent era. But a major falling out has kept the duo offstage for decades. Despite the urgings of family and friends, Ku and Shem refuse to reconcile. As both men approach their twilight years, one last chance for a reunion presents itself in the form of a televised charity benefit. Ku Ren and Shem Bien struggle to come to terms with years of bitterness, and bring the house down once again.

  • Film
  • 1984
  • 91 min
  • 9.0/10 TMDB
  • Drama
  • Comedy

Streaming options in the United Kingdom

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We couldn't find any current UK streaming, rental, or purchase listings for The Time You Need a Friend.

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Last verified: — sourced from The Movie Database. Machine-readable: Markdown · JSON.

Cast & crew

Top-billed cast in The Time You Need a Friend.

DirectorJohn Woo

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The Time You Need a Friend — frequently asked questions

Where can I watch The Time You Need a Friend in the UK?

The Time You Need a Friend (1984) is not currently listed by any UK streaming, rental, or purchase service in our daily-updated TMDB feed. It may be on physical media, an aggregator, or pending a UK release. Check back later — availability changes frequently.

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The Time You Need a Friend is not currently included with any major UK subscription service. It may still be available to rent or buy.

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