Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)
Kernel Score: 82% · 407 ratings · Rated NR
Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Western
Released: 1955-01-13
Runtime: 81 minutes
Where to watch Bad Day at Black Rock
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
One-armed war veteran John J. Macreedy steps off a train at the sleepy little town of Black Rock. Once there, he begins to unravel a web of lies, secrecy, and murder.
Bad Day at Black Rock parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Bad Day at Black Rock is a tense film noir Western dealing with racism, murder, and post-WWII prejudice against a Japanese American character.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Includes murder, a menacing one-armed man in danger, and tense violent confrontations typical of film noir.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official NR rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Bad Day at Black Rock
If you liked Bad Day at Black Rock, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Rio Bravo (1959) — 86%
- The Man from Laramie (1955) — 79%
- Dances with Wolves (1990) — 88%
- 10 Rillington Place (1971) — 82%
- News of the World (2020) — 78%
- El Dorado (1966) — 84%
- Midnight Run (1988) — 81%
- Europa (1991) — 82%
Director
Cast
- Spencer Tracy as John J. Macreedy
- Robert Ryan as Reno Smith
- Walter Brennan as Doc T.R. Velie Jr.
- Lee Marvin as Hector David
- Dean Jagger as Tim Horn
- Anne Francis as Liz Wirth
- John Ericson as Pete Wirth
- Ernest Borgnine as Coley Trimble
- Russell Collins as Mr. Hastings
- Walter Sande as Sam
Bad Day at Black Rock FAQ
Is Bad Day at Black Rock good?
Bad Day at Black Rock has an 82% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 407 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Bad Day at Black Rock?
In the US you can rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Bad Day at Black Rock OK for kids?
Bad Day at Black Rock is rated NR. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Bad Day at Black Rock is a tense film noir Western dealing with racism, murder, and post-WWII prejudice against a Japanese American character.
What movies are like Bad Day at Black Rock?
If you liked Bad Day at Black Rock, try Rio Bravo, The Man from Laramie, Dances with Wolves and 10 Rillington Place.