Barry Lyndon (1975)
Kernel Score: 90% · 3,110 ratings · Rated PG
Genres: Drama, Romance, War, History
Released: 1975-12-18
Runtime: 188 minutes
Is Barry Lyndon worth watching?
Must-watch. Kubrick's very slow, very beautiful period epic follows an Irish rogue climbing the ranks of 18th-century society. The photography, lit by candlelight, is astonishing, and the story is cool, ironic and cruel. It rewards patience.
Watch it if you
- love painterly, patient period films
- enjoy sardonic stories about ambition and class
Skip it if you
- need pace and warmth
- dislike three-hour running times
Best for: Quiet solo night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Barry Lyndon
- Free with ads: YouTube Free
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
An Irish rogue uses his cunning and wit to work his way up the social classes of 18th century England, transforming himself from the humble Redmond Barry into the noble Barry Lyndon.
Barry Lyndon parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Barry Lyndon is a lavish 18th-century period drama involving duels, gambling, debt, and social climbing.
- Violence & scariness: Some — Includes sword duels, a pistol duel, and war-era conflict, though staged with period restraint rather than graphic gore.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: Some — Card playing and gambling are recurring plot elements.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Barry Lyndon
If you liked Barry Lyndon, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Paths of Glory (1957) — 91%: Another Kubrick story of cruelty and rank, more concise
- The Duellists (1977) — 80%: Ridley Scott's period duel, similarly beautiful and austere
- Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) — 79%: Immaculate naval period film of grit and detail
- A Clockwork Orange (1971) — 90%: Kubrick's other dark satire of a violent, ambitious man
- Gone with the Wind (1939) — 88%: Sweeping historical epic about ambition and survival
- Les Misérables (2012) — 84%: Epic of historical injustice and survival
Director
Cast
- Ryan O'Neal as Barry Lyndon
- Marisa Berenson as Lady Lyndon
- Patrick Magee as The Chevalier
- Hardy Krüger as Captain Potzdorf
- Steven Berkoff as Lord Ludd
- Gay Hamilton as Nora
- Marie Kean as Barry's Mother
- Diana Körner as German Girl
- Murray Melvin as Reverend Runt
- Frank Middlemass as Sir Charles Lyndon
Barry Lyndon FAQ
Is Barry Lyndon worth watching?
Must-watch. Kubrick's very slow, very beautiful period epic follows an Irish rogue climbing the ranks of 18th-century society. The photography, lit by candlelight, is astonishing, and the story is cool, ironic and cruel. It rewards patience.
Where can I watch Barry Lyndon?
In the US you can watch it free with ads on YouTube Free and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Barry Lyndon OK for kids?
Barry Lyndon is rated PG. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Barry Lyndon is a lavish 18th-century period drama involving duels, gambling, debt, and social climbing.
What movies are like Barry Lyndon?
If you liked Barry Lyndon, try Paths of Glory, The Duellists, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World and A Clockwork Orange.