--- title: "Seinfeld" year: 1989 kind: "series" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/seinfeld" fi1m_id: "seinfeld" imdb_id: "tt0098904" tmdb_id: 1400 wikidata_id: "Q23733" fi1m_score: 90 critics_reviews: 3 published: "2026-09-13" updated: "2026-09-20T21:07:42.147670+00:00" region: "PH" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Seinfeld (1989) Created by Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David · MTRCB PG · Comedy ## Identity Seinfeld - **Canonical:** https://film.one/tv/seinfeld - **Type:** Series - **Fi1m ID:** seinfeld - **IMDb ID:** tt0098904 - **TMDB ID:** 1400 - **Wikidata ID:** Q23733 - **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098904/, https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/1400, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23733 **Fi1m score: 90** · Critics: 3 of 6 reviews so far *In a sentence:* Four friends who would rather ruin an afternoon than concede a point > The plotting and ensemble acting make *Seinfeld* an exceptional comedy about people behaving badly over almost nothing. The opening episodes are tentative, but we would gladly spend another evening with this selfish quartet. ## Synopsis Jerry Seinfeld plays Jerry alongside Jason Alexander as George Costanza, Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Elaine Benes and Michael Richards as Cosmo Kramer. The four friends spend much of their time discussing the small problems of ordinary life and finding reasons to disagree. Social obligations, personal grievances and other people’s behaviour give each of them something to complain about. Across nine seasons, their separate difficulties become entangled as they try to arrange things to their advantage. An inconvenience can occupy the entire group, while an attempt to escape it can create a larger problem for somebody else. ## Review *Seinfeld* is an unusually exact comedy about the effort people put into getting their own way over things that scarcely matter. We recommend it warmly, with patience for a tentative opening season. Writers Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David and Peter Mehlman, among others, take minor social disputes seriously enough to follow every excuse and objection. The characters can discuss a small grievance until it seems to justify almost any behaviour. A person’s certainty that a problem is somebody else’s fault can carry a whole scene. The plotting deserves more attention than the description of a programme about nothing. Separate problems become connected through decisions that seemed convenient at the time, and the pleasure is in noticing how carefully the writers have prepared the trouble. Even an apparently idle exchange can give somebody a reason to make a bad choice. Compared with sitcoms that require a quarrel to end in affection, the refusal to stop for a lesson is a relief. The scripts keep following what the characters do to each other, without making them apologise for our benefit. Jason Alexander’s George Costanza is the clearest demonstration of how much acting this requires. Alexander makes an excuse sound as though George has spent hours preparing it, then looks injured when it meets the smallest resistance. We laughed hardest at those offended pauses, because George seems affronted by the existence of an objection. The effort to appear reasonable is plainly visible, and painfully familiar. Alexander keeps George’s humiliation close enough to his aggression that the performance remains funny even when he is being thoroughly unpleasant. Julia Louis-Dreyfus gives Elaine Benes sharp control over her irritation, so that a look can finish an exchange before the next line arrives. Michael Richards gives Cosmo Kramer a headlong physical confidence that makes an entrance part of the joke. Jerry Seinfeld has a narrower range, and occasionally seems more amused by a scene than involved in it. That can weaken the pretence that these disputes matter. It also leaves room for the others to get angrier and stranger without everybody competing at the same volume. Cinematographers Robert Berry and Charles W. Short make the listener worth watching even while somebody else speaks, which matters when disbelief is often the better joke. David Sackeroff’s production design keeps the surroundings ordinary enough that a petty argument never looks out of place. Editors Robert Souders and Bill Lowe give the objections and interruptions enough space to be heard, without making the pauses feel dutiful. Jonathan Wolff’s music has a brisk, impudent bounce that suits people so pleased with the sound of their own opinions. The five-episode first season is tentative, and there are stretches when conversation seems to wait for a joke instead of producing one. That makes the beginning a less reliable introduction than we would like. The cast already gives reasons to continue, but the later confidence in connecting their separate troubles takes time to develop. Once it does, the pleasure of watching a small complaint become everybody’s problem is considerable. Watch it with someone who will admit when George has a point. *Fi1m score 90, published 13 September 2026.* ## Straight answers **Is Seinfeld worth watching?** *Seinfeld* is worth watching for anyone who enjoys comedy about people behaving badly over almost nothing, and we scored it 90. The five-episode first season is tentative and conversation sometimes waits for a joke, so allow it time. Once the writers start connecting the four friends' separate troubles, the plotting and ensemble acting reward the patience. **How long is Seinfeld, and what is it rated?** *Seinfeld* is rated PG by the MTRCB in the Philippines. It is a comedy series. **Where can I watch Seinfeld in the Philippines?** *Seinfeld* is streaming on Netflix in the Philippines. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service. **How violent or frightening is Seinfeld, and is it suitable for children?** *Seinfeld* carries a UK 15 certificate and contains no violence or frightening material that we noticed; the comedy comes from petty arguments, excuses and selfishness rather than anything alarming. The 15 rating reflects adult behaviour and talk rather than shocks. It suits teenagers comfortably, but it is not written for young children, who would find little in the grievances to laugh at. **How does Seinfeld compare to Curb Your Enthusiasm?** *Seinfeld* is the better balanced of the two, because four equally selfish friends share the misbehaviour and the plotting ties their troubles together with more care. [*Curb Your Enthusiasm*](https://film.one/tv/curb-your-enthusiasm) is built around one man who cannot stop explaining himself, and its repeated quarrels can wear over a long sitting. Choose *Seinfeld* for an evening's run; take *Curb* one episode at a time. **What should I watch after Seinfeld?** After *Seinfeld*, try [*Curb Your Enthusiasm*](https://film.one/tv/curb-your-enthusiasm) (2000, Fi1m 84): Another man discovers that explaining his behaviour usually makes it worse. Then [*Peep Show*](https://film.one/tv/peep-show) (2003, Fi1m 88): Two flatmates provide the excuses, while their thoughts supply the less flattering explanation; and [*A New Leaf*](https://film.one/film/a-new-leaf) (1971, Fi1m 83): A selfish man’s practical plans meet a woman he has badly underestimated. ### Reviews we read (3) - **Empire**, William Thomas (90/100, inferred): The critic hails Seinfeld as one of the rare step-changes in entertainment and the best 'friends' sitcom ever made. It singles out the show's meticulously plotted ensemble comedy and refusal to indulge in hugs, morals or lessons for particular praise. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/tv/reviews/seinfeld-seasons-1-3-1989-93-review/) - **The AV Club**, David Sims (B): The pilot episode feels odd and stilted compared to the later series, with the core attitude and observational humor already present but not fully realized yet. It notes the building blocks of the show's signature style are there despite test audience complaints. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/seinfeld-the-seinfeld-chronicles-and-male-unbonding-1798165131) - **Den of Geek**, Louisa Mellor (80/100, inferred): The piece recounts how the 1989 pilot tested poorly and nearly failed but grew into a massive hit through persistence and unique comedy. It highlights the show's lasting legacy and influence on sitcoms despite early network doubts. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/seinfeld-from-flop-to-acclaimed-hit/) ## Details - **Created by:** Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David - **Creator:** Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David - **Director:** Andy Ackerman, Tom Cherones, David Steinberg, David Owen Trainor, Jason Alexander, Joshua White, Art Wolff - **Writer:** Larry David, Peter Mehlman, Jerry Seinfeld, Larry Charles, Jeff Schaffer, Tom Gammill, Alec Berg, Max Pross, Andy Robin, Gregg Kavet, David Mandel, Spike Feresten, Dan O'Keefe, Steve Koren, Carol Leifer, Jennifer Crittenden, Darin Henry, Marjorie Gross, Bruce Eric Kaplan, Bill Masters, Elaine Pope, Tom Leopold, Sam Kass, Steve O'Donnell, Bruce Kirschbaum, Fred Stoller, Greg Daniels, Andy Cowan, Don McEnery, Matt Goldman, Charlie Rubin, Ron Hague, Lawrence H. Levy, Kit Boss, Jon Hayman, Steve Lookner, Jill Franklyn, Steve Skrovan, Billy Kimball, Matt Selman, Mark Jaffe - **Cinematography:** Robert Berry, George La Fountaine Sr., Jerry D. Good, Charles W. Short - **Editor:** Robert Souders, Bill Lowe, Leland Gray - **Music:** Jonathan Wolff, Jep Epstein - **Production design:** David Sackeroff - **Costume design:** Jane Ruhm, Ruth E. Carter - **Producer:** Tim Kaiser, Elaine Pope, Carol Leifer - **Cast:** Jerry Seinfeld as Jerry Seinfeld; Jason Alexander as George Costanza; Michael Richards as Cosmo Kramer; Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Elaine Benes; Barbara Stock as Scam Woman; Mariska Hargitay as Melissa (Elaine); Carol Kane as Corinne; Judge Reinhold as Aaron - **Certificate (MTRCB):** PG - **Release (the Philippines):** 5 July 1989 - **Genres:** Comedy - **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQXKyIG_NS4 ## Where to watch in the Philippines - Netflix: streaming *Checked 2026-09-13.* Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, AZ, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, SK, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country. ## If you liked this - *Curb Your Enthusiasm* (2000), Fi1m 84: Another man discovers that explaining his behaviour usually makes it worse. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/tv/curb-your-enthusiasm.md) - *Peep Show* (2003), Fi1m 88: Two flatmates provide the excuses, while their thoughts supply the less flattering explanation. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/tv/peep-show.md) - *The Dinner Game* (1998): A cruel social arrangement comes apart through tightly timed misunderstandings and wounded pride. - *A New Leaf* (1971), Fi1m 83: A selfish man’s practical plans meet a woman he has badly underestimated. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/a-new-leaf.md) - *Playtime* (1967), Fi1m 88: Watch the edges of the frame for people making ordinary life unnecessarily difficult. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/playtime.md) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/tv/seinfeld