Blow Out (1981)
Kernel Score: 84% · 1,632 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Released: 1981-07-24
Runtime: 108 minutes
Where to watch Blow Out
- Stream: Prime Video, MGM+
- Free with ads: Hoopla, The Roku Channel, Fandango at Home, YouTube Free, Prime Video (free with ads)
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
While recording sound effects for a slasher flick, Jack Terry stumbles upon a real-life horror: a car careening off a bridge and into a river. Jack jumps into the water and fishes out Sally from the car, but the other passenger is already dead — a governor intending to run for president. As Jack does some investigating of his tapes, and starts a perilous romance with Sally, he enters a tangled web of conspiracy that might leave him dead.
Blow Out parents' guide: ages 13+
Parents need to know that Blow Out is an R-rated political conspiracy thriller involving a fatal car accident, murder, and danger.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Includes a fatal car crash, conspiracy-driven murder, and escalating danger to the protagonists.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Blow Out
If you liked Blow Out, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Chinatown (1974) — 87%
- The Sixth Sense (1999) — 89%
- The Naked City (1948) — 80%
- Prisoners (2013) — 88%
- The Accountant² (2025) — 79%
- Deep Red (1975) — 88%
- The House with Laughing Windows (1976) — 81%
- The Conversation (1974) — 87%
Director
Cast
- John Travolta as Jack Terry
- Nancy Allen as Sally Badina
- John Lithgow as Burke
- Dennis Franz as Manny Karp
- Peter Boyden as Sam
- John Aquino as Det. Mackey
- John McMartin as Lawrence Henry
- Deborah Everton as Hooker
- J. Patrick McNamara as Detective at Hospital
- Roger Wilson as Coed Lover
Blow Out FAQ
Is Blow Out good?
Blow Out has an 84% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 1,632 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Blow Out?
In the US you can stream Blow Out on Prime Video and MGM+, watch it free with ads on Hoopla, The Roku Channel, Fandango at Home, YouTube Free and Prime Video (free with ads) and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Blow Out OK for kids?
Blow Out is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 13+. Parents need to know that Blow Out is an R-rated political conspiracy thriller involving a fatal car accident, murder, and danger.
What movies are like Blow Out?
If you liked Blow Out, try Chinatown, The Sixth Sense, The Naked City and Prisoners.