Citizen Kane (1941)
Kernel Score: 94% · 5,953 ratings · Rated NR
Genres: Mystery, Drama
Released: 1941-04-17
Runtime: 119 minutes
Is Citizen Kane worth watching?
Must-watch. A reporter investigates the last word of a newspaper tycoon and pieces together his life. Orson Welles's debut still impresses with its structure and camerawork, and it's a more human, sad story than its reputation suggests.
Watch it if you
- want to see why this film is called a landmark
- like stories told through different viewpoints
- enjoy sharp, classic filmmaking
Skip it if you
- dislike black-and-white films
- expect something fast or flashy
Best for: Classic film night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Citizen Kane
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane is taken from his mother as a boy and made the ward of a rich industrialist. As a result, every well-meaning, tyrannical or self-destructive move he makes for the rest of his life appears in some way to be a reaction to that deeply wounding event.
Citizen Kane parents' guide: ages 8+
Parents need to know that Citizen Kane is a classic NR drama about a powerful newspaper tycoon's rise and personal downfall.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official NR rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Citizen Kane
If you liked Citizen Kane, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Touch of Evil (1958) — 87%: Welles's other brilliant, shadowy crime film
- The Lady from Shanghai (1947) — 82%: Welles's twisty mystery with striking images
- Rashomon (1950) — 91%: Story told through several conflicting viewpoints
- Sweet Smell of Success (1957) — 86%: Sharp, cynical look at power and the press
- Witness for the Prosecution (1957) — 89%: Classic mystery with a final twist
- F for Fake (1973) — 84%: Welles's playful essay on truth and deception
Director
Cast
- Orson Welles as Charles Foster Kane
- Joseph Cotten as Jedediah Leland
- Dorothy Comingore as Susan Alexander Kane
- Ray Collins as Jim W. Gettys
- George Coulouris as Walter Parks Thatcher
- Agnes Moorehead as Mary Kane
- Paul Stewart as Raymond
- Ruth Warrick as Emily Norton Kane
- Erskine Sanford as Herbert Carter
- William Alland as Jerry Thompson/Narrator
Citizen Kane FAQ
Is Citizen Kane worth watching?
Must-watch. A reporter investigates the last word of a newspaper tycoon and pieces together his life. Orson Welles's debut still impresses with its structure and camerawork, and it's a more human, sad story than its reputation suggests.
Where can I watch Citizen Kane?
In the US you can rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Citizen Kane OK for kids?
Citizen Kane is rated NR. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 8+. Parents need to know that Citizen Kane is a classic NR drama about a powerful newspaper tycoon's rise and personal downfall.
What movies are like Citizen Kane?
If you liked Citizen Kane, try Touch of Evil, The Lady from Shanghai, Rashomon and Sweet Smell of Success.