Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Kernel Score: 89% · 3,286 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Released: 1975-09-21
Runtime: 124 minutes
Is Dog Day Afternoon worth watching?
Must-watch. Al Pacino plays a bank robber whose heist collapses into a day-long standoff, based on a real case. It's tense, funny and human, and Sidney Lumet keeps the sweating crowd and media circus feeling real. A New York classic.
Watch it if you
- love 1970s New York crime films
- enjoy Pacino at his rawest
- want a tense, character-led drama
Skip it if you
- want slick, modern heist thrills
- dislike gritty, talky films
Best for: Classic crime night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Dog Day Afternoon
- Free with ads: Hoopla
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Based on the true story of would-be Brooklyn bank robbers John Wojtowicz and Salvatore Naturile. Sonny and Sal attempt a bank heist which quickly turns sour and escalates into a hostage situation and stand-off with the police. As Sonny's motives for the robbery are slowly revealed and things become more complicated, the heist turns into a media circus.
Dog Day Afternoon parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Dog Day Afternoon is an R-rated crime thriller based on a real bank robbery and hostage situation.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Depicts a bank robbery, hostage standoff, and police confrontation with tension throughout.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Dog Day Afternoon
If you liked Dog Day Afternoon, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Serpico (1973) — 85%: Another Sidney Lumet New York story of a lone man against the system
- Network (1976) — 86%: Sharp 1970s drama about media and public frenzy
- 12 Angry Men (1957) — 96%: Tense Lumet drama that stays in one room
- Heat (1995) — 89%: Crime epic with outstanding performances and tension
- Inside Man (2006) — 82%: Hostage thriller with clever twists
- Good Time (2017) — 81%: Frantic, sweaty crime thriller in a modern New York
Director
Cast
- Al Pacino as Sonny
- John Cazale as Sal
- Charles Durning as Moretti
- Chris Sarandon as Leon
- James Broderick as Sheldon
- Penelope Allen as Sylvia
- Sully Boyar as Mulvaney
- Beulah Garrick as Margaret
- Carol Kane as Jenny
- Sandra Kazan as Deborah
Dog Day Afternoon FAQ
Is Dog Day Afternoon worth watching?
Must-watch. Al Pacino plays a bank robber whose heist collapses into a day-long standoff, based on a real case. It's tense, funny and human, and Sidney Lumet keeps the sweating crowd and media circus feeling real. A New York classic.
Where can I watch Dog Day Afternoon?
In the US you can watch it free with ads on Hoopla and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Dog Day Afternoon OK for kids?
Dog Day Afternoon is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Dog Day Afternoon is an R-rated crime thriller based on a real bank robbery and hostage situation.
What movies are like Dog Day Afternoon?
If you liked Dog Day Afternoon, try Serpico, Network, 12 Angry Men and Heat.