Blood Diamond (2006)

Kernel Score: 87% · 8,184 ratings · Rated R

Genres: Drama, Thriller, Action

Released: 2006-12-08

Runtime: 143 minutes

Is Blood Diamond worth watching?

Must-watch. A tough, well-made thriller set in 1999 Sierra Leone, where a smuggler and a fisherman chase a rare diamond during a civil war. Djimon Hounsou and Leonardo DiCaprio carry it, and the action never forgets the human cost.

Watch it if you

  • like politically aware action thrillers
  • want strong lead performances
  • can handle war violence

Skip it if you

  • want a light film
  • dislike graphic scenes of conflict

Best for: Solo night in

Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.

Where to watch Blood Diamond

  • Stream: Apple TV
  • Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
  • Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube

US availability, updated 2026-10-23.

Overview

An ex-mercenary turned smuggler. A Mende fisherman. Amid the explosive civil war overtaking 1999 Sierra Leone, these men join for two desperate missions: recovering a rare pink diamond of immense value and rescuing the fisherman's son, conscripted as a child soldier into the brutal rebel forces ripping a swath of torture and bloodshed countrywide.

Blood Diamond parents' guide: ages 15+

Parents need to know that Blood Diamond is a violent war thriller set during Sierra Leone's civil war, featuring child soldiers, mercenaries, and depictions of slavery and atrocities.

  • Violence & scariness: Intense — Depicts civil war brutality, child soldiers, mercenary combat, torture and bloodshed as central to the plot.
  • Language: Moderate — R-rated war drama likely contains frequent harsh profanity typical of the genre.
  • Drinking, drugs & smoking: Some — Smuggling and wartime settings suggest some alcohol/drug use though not emphasized in signals.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

Movies like Blood Diamond

If you liked Blood Diamond, these are the movies we'd watch next.

  • The Constant Gardener (2005) — 77%: Political thriller about corporate greed and Africa.
  • Hotel Mumbai (2019) — 87%: Tense, true-to-life thriller about people trapped in violence.
  • Captain Phillips (2013) — 86%: Tense, real-world thriller with a great lead.
  • The Last Samurai (2003) — 85%: Same director, an epic about a man changed by war.
  • Glory (1989) — 86%: Same director, a serious war drama about courage.
  • The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) — 85%: Fast, smart thriller with a driven hero.

Director

Edward Zwick

Cast

  • Leonardo DiCaprio as Danny Archer
  • Djimon Hounsou as Solomon Vandy
  • Jennifer Connelly as Maddy Bowen
  • Kagiso Kuypers as Dia Vandy
  • Arnold Vosloo as Colonel Coetzee
  • Antony Coleman as Cordell Brown
  • Benu Mabhena as Jassie Vandy
  • Anointing Lukola as N'Yanda Vandy
  • David Harewood as Captain Poison
  • Basil Wallace as Benjamin Kapanay

Blood Diamond FAQ

Is Blood Diamond worth watching?

Must-watch. A tough, well-made thriller set in 1999 Sierra Leone, where a smuggler and a fisherman chase a rare diamond during a civil war. Djimon Hounsou and Leonardo DiCaprio carry it, and the action never forgets the human cost.

Where can I watch Blood Diamond?

In the US you can stream Blood Diamond on Apple TV and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.

Is Blood Diamond OK for kids?

Blood Diamond is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Blood Diamond is a violent war thriller set during Sierra Leone's civil war, featuring child soldiers, mercenaries, and depictions of slavery and atrocities.

What movies are like Blood Diamond?

If you liked Blood Diamond, try The Constant Gardener, Hotel Mumbai, Captain Phillips and The Last Samurai.