Captain Fantastic (2016)
Kernel Score: 88% · 6,749 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Adventure, Drama
Released: 2016-07-08
Runtime: 118 minutes
Is Captain Fantastic worth watching?
Must-watch. A father raises his six children in the woods with rigorous books and survival skills, and the film asks whether that makes him a hero or a danger. Viggo Mortensen is superb, and it's funny and affecting.
Watch it if you
- like thoughtful family dramas
- enjoy stories about unconventional lives
- want a film that raises real questions
Skip it if you
- want a clear-cut answer
- dislike dramas about grief
Best for: Quiet night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Captain Fantastic
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Hoopla, Fandango at Home, Plex, Tubi
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Deep in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, a father devoted to raising his six kids with a rigorous physical and intellectual education is forced to leave his paradise and enter the world, beginning a journey that challenges his idea of what it means to be a parent.
Captain Fantastic parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Captain Fantastic follows a father raising six children off-grid with unconventional homeschooling, touching on death of a parent and mental illness, with a mix of admirable self-reliance and questionable parenting choices.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: A little — References to survivalist and off-grid lifestyle choices; no heavy substance use indicated in signals.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Captain Fantastic
If you liked Captain Fantastic, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Into the Wild (2007) — 89%: True-spirited story of leaving society for nature.
- 20th Century Women (2016) — 84%: Unconventional family drama about raising kids.
- The Darjeeling Limited (2007) — 80%: Quirky family road trip with a real emotional core.
- My First Summer (2020) — 89%: Gentle story of a boy who grows up away from the world.
- The Road (2009) — 77%: Father-and-child survival story in a harsh world.
- Dances with Wolves (1990) — 88%: Man leaves society and finds a different way to live.
Director
Cast
- Viggo Mortensen as Ben Cash
- George MacKay as Bodevan Cash
- Samantha Isler as Kielyr Cash
- Annalise Basso as Vespyr Cash
- Nicholas Hamilton as Rellian Cash
- Shree Crooks as Zaja Cash
- Charlie Shotwell as Nai Cash
- Trin Miller as Leslie Abigail Cash
- Frank Langella as Jack Bertrang
- Ann Dowd as Abigail Bertrang
Captain Fantastic FAQ
Is Captain Fantastic worth watching?
Must-watch. A father raises his six children in the woods with rigorous books and survival skills, and the film asks whether that makes him a hero or a danger. Viggo Mortensen is superb, and it's funny and affecting.
Where can I watch Captain Fantastic?
In the US you can watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla, Fandango at Home, Plex and Tubi and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Captain Fantastic OK for kids?
Captain Fantastic is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Captain Fantastic follows a father raising six children off-grid with unconventional homeschooling, touching on death of a parent and mental illness, with a mix of admirable self-reliance and questionable parenting choices.
What movies are like Captain Fantastic?
If you liked Captain Fantastic, try Into the Wild, 20th Century Women, The Darjeeling Limited and My First Summer.