Braveheart (1995)
Kernel Score: 95% · 10,914 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Action, Drama, History, War
Released: 1995-05-24
Runtime: 178 minutes
Is Braveheart worth watching?
Must-watch. A huge, bloody historical epic about William Wallace and the Scottish fight against English rule. It has big battles, strong emotion and Gibson's passion, though it plays loose with history.
Watch it if you
- like large-scale battle epics
- enjoy stories of rebellion
- want a long, emotional drama
Skip it if you
- dislike graphic battle violence
- care about historical accuracy
Best for: Epic movie night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Braveheart
- Stream: Paramount+
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Hoopla, 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
Enraged at the slaughter of Murron, his new bride and childhood love, Scottish warrior William Wallace slays a platoon of the local English lord's soldiers. This leads the village to revolt and, eventually, the entire country to rise up against English rule.
Braveheart parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Braveheart is an R-rated historical war epic with graphic medieval battle violence and themes of rebellion against tyranny.
- Violence & scariness: Intense — Graphic, bloody medieval battle violence including executions and warfare, rated R.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Braveheart
If you liked Braveheart, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Apocalypto (2006) — 88%: Gibson-directed historical action, brutal and relentless.
- Glory (1989) — 86%: War drama about a brave group of men.
- The Last of the Mohicans (1992) — 83%: Adventure and romance in a historic war.
- Kingdom of Heaven (2005) — 77%: Medieval epic about faith and war.
- Zulu (1964) — 84%: Classic outnumbered-soldiers battle film.
- Hacksaw Ridge (2016) — 92%: True-story war drama of faith and courage.
Director
Cast
- Mel Gibson as William Wallace
- Catherine McCormack as Murron MacClannough
- Sophie Marceau as Princess Isabelle
- Patrick McGoohan as King Edward
- Angus Macfadyen as Robert the Bruce
- Brendan Gleeson as Hamish Campbell
- James Robinson as Young William Wallace
- James Cosmo as Campbell
- Sean McGinley as MacClannough
- Gerda Stevenson as Mother MacClannough
Braveheart FAQ
Is Braveheart worth watching?
Must-watch. A huge, bloody historical epic about William Wallace and the Scottish fight against English rule. It has big battles, strong emotion and Gibson's passion, though it plays loose with history.
Where can I watch Braveheart?
In the US you can stream Braveheart on Paramount+, watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla and YouTube Free and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Braveheart OK for kids?
Braveheart is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Braveheart is an R-rated historical war epic with graphic medieval battle violence and themes of rebellion against tyranny.
What movies are like Braveheart?
If you liked Braveheart, try Apocalypto, Glory, The Last of the Mohicans and Kingdom of Heaven.