Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)
Kernel Score: 79% · 985 ratings · Rated PG
Genres: Comedy, Crime
Released: 1988-12-14
Runtime: 110 minutes
Where to watch Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
- Stream: Prime Video, YouTube TV, MGM+
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Hoopla, Fawesome, The Roku Channel, Prime Video (free with ads)
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Con artist Lawrence Jamieson is a longtime resident of a luxurious coastal resort, where he enjoys the lavish fruits of his deceptions -- that is, until a competitor, Freddy Benson, shows up. When the new guy's lowbrow tactics impinge on his own sophisticated work and believing him to be the infamous conman 'The Jackal', Lawrence resolves to get rid of him. Confident of his own duplicitous talents, he challenges Freddy to a winner-takes-all competition: whoever swindles their latest mark, American heiress Janet Colgate, out of $50,000 first can stay, while the other must leave town.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a PG comedy about two con artists competing to swindle a wealthy heiress out of money.
- Language: Some — As a PG-rated con-artist comedy, mild innuendo and language are present but not extreme.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
If you liked Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Double Indemnity (1944) — 90%
- The Sting (1973) — 88%
- Take the Money and Run (1969) — 78%
- Catch Me If You Can (2002) — 93%
- The Swindle (1955) — 81%
- Ocean's Eleven (2001) — 84%
- Clue (1985) — 82%
- A Shot in the Dark (1964) — 78%
Director
Cast
- Steve Martin as Freddy Benson
- Michael Caine as Lawrence Jamieson
- Glenne Headly as Janet Colgate
- Anton Rodgers as Inspector Andre
- Barbara Harris as Fanny Eubanks
- Ian McDiarmid as Arthur
- Dana Ivey as Mrs. Reed
- Meagen Fay as Lady from Oklahoma
- Frances Conroy as Lady from Palm Beach
- Nicole Calfan as Lady in Dining Car
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels FAQ
Is Dirty Rotten Scoundrels good?
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels has a 79% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 985 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Dirty Rotten Scoundrels?
In the US you can stream Dirty Rotten Scoundrels on Prime Video, YouTube TV and MGM+, watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla, Fawesome, The Roku Channel and Prime Video (free with ads) and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Dirty Rotten Scoundrels OK for kids?
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is rated PG. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a PG comedy about two con artists competing to swindle a wealthy heiress out of money.
What movies are like Dirty Rotten Scoundrels?
If you liked Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, try Double Indemnity, The Sting, Take the Money and Run and Catch Me If You Can.