Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Kernel Score: 93% · 16,824 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Drama, Crime
Released: 2002-12-16
Runtime: 141 minutes
Is Catch Me If You Can worth watching?
Must-watch. Spielberg's true-story caper follows a teenage con man and the FBI agent chasing him, and it's light, stylish and quietly sad. DiCaprio and Hanks are great together, and the 1960s look is a pleasure.
Watch it if you
- like charming crime stories based on real life
- enjoy cat-and-mouse chases
- want a fun film that still has feeling
Skip it if you
- want a gritty crime drama
- dislike 1960s period settings
Best for: Date night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Catch Me If You Can
- Stream: Paramount+, Peacock
- Free with ads: Kanopy
- Rent: JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
A true story about Frank Abagnale Jr. who, before his 19th birthday, successfully conned millions of dollars worth of checks as a Pan Am pilot, doctor, and legal prosecutor. An FBI agent makes it his mission to put him behind bars. But Frank not only eludes capture, he revels in the pursuit.
Catch Me If You Can parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Catch Me If You Can is a PG-13 biographical crime drama about a young con artist committing fraud.
- Language: Some — Rated PG-13 with moderate language typical of the genre.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Catch Me If You Can
If you liked Catch Me If You Can, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) — 95%: Another true-story tale of a charming fraudster
- Now You See Me (2013) — 83%: Playful heist with a cat-and-mouse feel
- Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988) — 79%: Comic con-artist story with two charmers
- Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) — 92%: Spielberg's lively adventure with a classic hero
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) — 94%: Spielberg's adventure with a father-son story
- Special 26 (2013) — 82%: Heist and con story based on real events
Director
Cast
- Leonardo DiCaprio as Frank Abagnale Jr.
- Tom Hanks as Carl Hanratty
- Christopher Walken as Frank Abagnale
- Martin Sheen as Roger Strong
- Nathalie Baye as Paula Abagnale
- Amy Adams as Brenda Strong
- James Brolin as Jack Barnes
- Brian Howe as Earl Amdursky
- Frank John Hughes as Tom Fox
- Steve Eastin as Paul Morgan
Catch Me If You Can FAQ
Is Catch Me If You Can worth watching?
Must-watch. Spielberg's true-story caper follows a teenage con man and the FBI agent chasing him, and it's light, stylish and quietly sad. DiCaprio and Hanks are great together, and the 1960s look is a pleasure.
Where can I watch Catch Me If You Can?
In the US you can stream Catch Me If You Can on Paramount+ and Peacock, watch it free with ads on Kanopy and rent it from JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV and Google Play.
Is Catch Me If You Can OK for kids?
Catch Me If You Can is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Catch Me If You Can is a PG-13 biographical crime drama about a young con artist committing fraud.
What movies are like Catch Me If You Can?
If you liked Catch Me If You Can, try The Wolf of Wall Street, Now You See Me, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Raiders of the Lost Ark.