In the Heat of the Night (1967)
Kernel Score: 87% · 1,208 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Released: 1967-08-02
Runtime: 109 minutes
Where to watch In the Heat of the Night
- Stream: History Vault
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Hoopla, The Roku Channel, YouTube Free, Tubi
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
African-American Philadelphia police detective Virgil Tibbs is arrested on suspicion of murder by Bill Gillespie, the racist police chief of tiny Sparta, Mississippi. After Tibbs proves not only his own innocence but that of another man, he joins forces with Gillespie to track down the real killer. Their investigation takes them through every social level of the town, with Tibbs making enemies as well as unlikely friends as he hunts for the truth.
In the Heat of the Night parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that In the Heat of the Night is a PG-13 crime drama dealing with racism and a murder investigation in the segregated South.
- Violence & scariness: Some — Includes a murder investigation and racially charged confrontations, per keywords like 'racist' and 'bigotry.'
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like In the Heat of the Night
If you liked In the Heat of the Night, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Insomnia (2002) — 76%
- The Defiant Ones (1958) — 78%
- The Night of the Hunter (1955) — 89%
- Bad Day at Black Rock (1955) — 82%
- Patriots Day (2016) — 79%
- An Inspector Calls (2015) — 83%
- Murder on the Orient Express (1974) — 79%
- Read My Lips (2001) — 79%
Director
Cast
- Sidney Poitier as Virgil Tibbs
- Rod Steiger as Police Chief Bill Gillespie
- Warren Oates as Deputy Sam Wood
- Peter Whitney as Deputy Courtney
- Lee Grant as Mrs. Leslie Colbert
- Anthony James as Ralph
- William Schallert as Mayor Schubert
- Scott Wilson as Harvey Oberst
- Larry Gates as Eric Endicott
- James Patterson as Mr. Purdy
In the Heat of the Night FAQ
Is In the Heat of the Night good?
In the Heat of the Night has an 87% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 1,208 audience ratings.
Where can I watch In the Heat of the Night?
In the US you can stream In the Heat of the Night on History Vault, watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla, The Roku Channel, YouTube Free and Tubi and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is In the Heat of the Night OK for kids?
In the Heat of the Night is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that In the Heat of the Night is a PG-13 crime drama dealing with racism and a murder investigation in the segregated South.
What movies are like In the Heat of the Night?
If you liked In the Heat of the Night, try Insomnia, The Defiant Ones, The Night of the Hunter and Bad Day at Black Rock.