Dial M for Murder (1954)

Kernel Score: 89% · 2,806 TMDB ratings · Rated PG

Genres: Thriller, Crime

Released: 1954-05-29

Runtime: 105 minutes

Is Dial M for Murder worth watching?

Must-watch. A neat, clever Hitchcock thriller built almost entirely in one flat, where a husband's carefully planned murder goes wrong. The script is tightly constructed and Grace Kelly is great.

Watch it if you

  • love classic whodunits and plot-driven thrillers
  • like Hitchcock's tight, clever puzzles
  • enjoy old Hollywood stars

Skip it if you

  • want modern pacing or action
  • dislike films that feel like a stage play

Best for: Classic movie night

Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.

Where to watch Dial M for Murder

  • Stream: TCM
  • Free with ads: Kanopy, FlixHouse, Fawesome, Plex, Xumo Play
  • Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
  • Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube

US availability, updated 2026-11-12.

Overview

When her American lover visits London, a wealthy woman’s jealous husband hatches a plan to murder her and inherit her fortune.

Dial M for Murder parents' guide: ages 8+

Parents need to know that Dial M for Murder is a classic Hitchcock thriller involving a murder plot born from adultery and jealousy.

  • Violence & scariness: Moderate — Centers on a premeditated murder plot, including a struggle and killing, though largely suspense-driven rather than graphic.
  • Sex, romance & nudity: Some — The plot is triggered by an extramarital affair, referenced but not shown explicitly.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

Movies like Dial M for Murder

If you liked Dial M for Murder, these are the movies we'd watch next.

  • Rear Window (1954) — 93%: Hitchcock's tense single-location thriller, also starring Grace Kelly.
  • Rope (1948) — 89%: A murder story staged almost entirely in one apartment.
  • Gaslight (1944) — 86%: A husband's scheming against his wife, driven by suspense.
  • Double Indemnity (1944) — 90%: A tightly plotted murder scheme that unravels.
  • Rebecca (1940) — 89%: Hitchcock romantic suspense with a menacing atmosphere.
  • Vertigo (1958) — 88%: Hitchcock at his most obsessive, twisty and stylish.

Director

Alfred Hitchcock

Cast

  • Ray Milland as Tony Wendice
  • Grace Kelly as Margot Wendice
  • Robert Cummings as Mark Halliday
  • John Williams as Chief Inspector Hubbard
  • Anthony Dawson as Charles Swann
  • Leo Britt as Storyteller
  • Patrick Allen as Detective Pearson
  • George Leigh as Detective Williams
  • George Alderson as First Detective
  • Robin Hughes as Police Sergeant O'Brien

Dial M for Murder FAQ

Is Dial M for Murder worth watching?

Must-watch. A neat, clever Hitchcock thriller built almost entirely in one flat, where a husband's carefully planned murder goes wrong. The script is tightly constructed and Grace Kelly is great.

Where can I watch Dial M for Murder?

In the US you can stream Dial M for Murder on TCM, watch it free with ads on Kanopy, FlixHouse, Fawesome, Plex and Xumo Play and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.

Is Dial M for Murder OK for kids?

Dial M for Murder is rated PG. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 8+. Parents need to know that Dial M for Murder is a classic Hitchcock thriller involving a murder plot born from adultery and jealousy.

What movies are like Dial M for Murder?

If you liked Dial M for Murder, try Rear Window, Rope, Gaslight and Double Indemnity.