Almost Famous (2000)
Kernel Score: 85% · 3,039 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, Music
Released: 2000-09-15
Runtime: 124 minutes
Is Almost Famous worth watching?
Must-watch. A teenager gets to tour with a rock band in 1973 as a reporter for Rolling Stone. It's warm, funny and sincere about music and growing up, with a great cast and a soundtrack to match.
Watch it if you
- love 1970s rock and music stories
- like warm coming-of-age comedies
Skip it if you
- dislike nostalgic, sentimental films
- want a cynical take on music
Best for: Cosy night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Almost Famous
- Stream: Fubo, Paramount+
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Hoopla
- Rent: JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
In 1973, 15-year-old William Miller's unabashed love of music and aspiration to become a rock journalist lands him an assignment from Rolling Stone magazine to interview and tour with the up-and-coming band, Stillwater.
Almost Famous parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Almost Famous is an R-rated coming-of-age drama about a teen touring with a rock band amid sex and drugs.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Moderate — Includes groupie culture and teen promiscuity as the young protagonist is exposed to adult rock-world excess.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: Strong — Depicts 1970s rock-tour drug use and addiction among band members.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Almost Famous
If you liked Almost Famous, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Sing Street (2016) — 87%: Charming story of teenagers finding themselves through music
- The Last Waltz (1978) — 86%: Documentary of a great band's final concert
- This Is Spinal Tap (1984) — 83%: Sharp, funny spoof of life on tour
- Billy Elliot (2000) — 88%: Young person pursuing a dream against doubt
- Whiplash (2014) — 96%: Intense drama about ambition in music
- Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) — 89%: Big rock biopic with great songs
Director
Cast
- Billy Crudup as Russell Hammond
- Frances McDormand as Elaine Miller
- Kate Hudson as Penny Lane
- Jason Lee as Jeff Bebe
- Patrick Fugit as William Miller
- Zooey Deschanel as Anita Miller
- Michael Angarano as Young William
- Anna Paquin as Polexia Aphrodisia
- Fairuza Balk as Sapphire
- Noah Taylor as Dick Roswell
Almost Famous FAQ
Is Almost Famous worth watching?
Must-watch. A teenager gets to tour with a rock band in 1973 as a reporter for Rolling Stone. It's warm, funny and sincere about music and growing up, with a great cast and a soundtrack to match.
Where can I watch Almost Famous?
In the US you can stream Almost Famous on Fubo and Paramount+, watch it free with ads on Kanopy and Hoopla and rent it from JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV and Google Play.
Is Almost Famous OK for kids?
Almost Famous is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Almost Famous is an R-rated coming-of-age drama about a teen touring with a rock band amid sex and drugs.
What movies are like Almost Famous?
If you liked Almost Famous, try Sing Street, The Last Waltz, This Is Spinal Tap and Billy Elliot.