Apocalypse Now (1979)
Kernel Score: 91% · 8,919 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, War
Released: 1979-05-19
Runtime: 147 minutes
Is Apocalypse Now worth watching?
Must-watch. Coppola's Vietnam War descent into madness follows an army captain sent upriver to kill a rogue colonel. It's huge, hypnotic and unsettling, with some of cinema's most famous scenes, and it asks patience.
Watch it if you
- want a war film about moral breakdown, not heroics
- like long, immersive, dreamlike cinema
- care about landmark American filmmaking
Skip it if you
- want a straightforward combat movie
- dislike slow, surreal storytelling
Best for: Solo night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Apocalypse Now
- Free with ads: Plex
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
At the height of the Vietnam war, Captain Benjamin Willard is sent on a dangerous mission that, officially, "does not exist, nor will it ever exist." His goal is to locate - and eliminate - a mysterious Green Beret Colonel named Walter Kurtz, who has been leading his personal army on illegal guerrilla missions into enemy territory.
Apocalypse Now parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Apocalypse Now is an intense war drama depicting the psychological horror and violence of the Vietnam War.
- Violence & scariness: Intense — Depicts graphic wartime violence, death, and descent into madness throughout.
- Language: Moderate — Contains strong profanity typical of an R-rated war film.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: Moderate — Includes drug abuse and heavy substance use among soldiers.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Apocalypse Now
If you liked Apocalypse Now, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Full Metal Jacket (1987) — 90%: Another Vietnam film that turns war into a study of dehumanisation.
- Platoon (1986) — 87%: A grounded, personal view of the same war.
- Come and See (1985) — 89%: A harrowing war film that treats war as nightmare.
- The Conversation (1974) — 87%: Coppola's smaller, paranoid classic from the same era.
- The Godfather (1972) — 96%: Coppola's other defining epic, about power and corruption.
- The Killing Fields (1984) — 84%: A moving war story about conscience and friendship.
Director
Cast
- Martin Sheen as Captain Benjamin Willard
- Marlon Brando as Colonel Walter Kurtz
- Frederic Forrest as Jay 'Chef' Hicks
- Albert Hall as Chief Phillips
- Laurence Fishburne as Tyrone 'Clean' Miller
- Sam Bottoms as Lance B. Johnson
- Robert Duvall as Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore
- G.D. Spradlin as General Corman
- Harrison Ford as Colonel
- Jerry Ziesmer as Jerry, Civilian
Apocalypse Now FAQ
Is Apocalypse Now worth watching?
Must-watch. Coppola's Vietnam War descent into madness follows an army captain sent upriver to kill a rogue colonel. It's huge, hypnotic and unsettling, with some of cinema's most famous scenes, and it asks patience.
Where can I watch Apocalypse Now?
In the US you can watch it free with ads on Plex and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Apocalypse Now OK for kids?
Apocalypse Now is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Apocalypse Now is an intense war drama depicting the psychological horror and violence of the Vietnam War.
What movies are like Apocalypse Now?
If you liked Apocalypse Now, try Full Metal Jacket, Platoon, Come and See and The Conversation.