Dark City (1998)
Kernel Score: 85% · 3,114 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Mystery, Science Fiction
Released: 1998-02-27
Runtime: 101 minutes
Is Dark City worth watching?
Worth watching. A man wakes with no memory in a city where it's always night and mysterious beings control reality. It's a rich, dark sci-fi noir with striking visuals, and a cult classic that earned the title.
Watch it if you
- like moody sci-fi noir
- enjoy mysteries about reality and memory
Skip it if you
- want fast action
- dislike dark, strange atmosphere
Best for: Solo night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Dark City
- Free with ads: Kanopy, The Roku Channel, 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
A man struggles with memories of his past, including a wife he cannot remember, in a nightmarish world with no sun and run by beings with telekinetic powers who seek the souls of humans.
Dark City parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Dark City is an R-rated sci-fi thriller involving murder investigation, manipulation, and a disturbing dystopian setting.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Includes a murder investigation, a serial killer element, and manipulation by menacing alien beings.
- Language: Some — R rating suggests some strong language within its noir-thriller tone.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Dark City
If you liked Dark City, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Blade Runner (1982) — 94%: The great sci-fi noir with a rain-soaked city
- Twelve Monkeys (1995) — 87%: Time-bending sci-fi mystery with a paranoid edge
- Gattaca (1997) — 86%: Thoughtful sci-fi about identity and control
- Ghost in the Shell (1995) — 92%: Cyberpunk story of identity and a controlled world
- Videodrome (1983) — 83%: Strange, disturbing film about reality slipping
- Upgrade (2018) — 86%: Fast, dark sci-fi thriller about control and technology
Director
Cast
- Rufus Sewell as John Murdoch
- William Hurt as Inspector Frank Bumstead
- Kiefer Sutherland as Dr. Daniel P. Schreber
- Jennifer Connelly as Emma Murdoch
- Richard O'Brien as Mr. Hand
- Ian Richardson as Mr. Book
- Bruce Spence as Mr. Wall
- Colin Friels as Det. Eddie Walenski
- John Bluthal as Karl Harris
- Mitchell Butel as Officer Husselbeck
Dark City FAQ
Is Dark City worth watching?
Worth watching. A man wakes with no memory in a city where it's always night and mysterious beings control reality. It's a rich, dark sci-fi noir with striking visuals, and a cult classic that earned the title.
Where can I watch Dark City?
In the US you can watch it free with ads on Kanopy, The Roku Channel, Plex and Tubi and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Dark City OK for kids?
Dark City is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Dark City is an R-rated sci-fi thriller involving murder investigation, manipulation, and a disturbing dystopian setting.
What movies are like Dark City?
If you liked Dark City, try Blade Runner, Twelve Monkeys, Gattaca and Ghost in the Shell.