Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Kernel Score: 89% · 23,836 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, Thriller, War
Released: 2009-08-02
Runtime: 153 minutes
Is Inglourious Basterds worth watching?
Worth watching. Tarantino's war fantasy is tense, funny and violent, with opening and basement scenes that rank among his best. The history is rewritten on purpose, and the tone won't suit everyone.
Watch it if you
- like Tarantino's long, tense conversations
- enjoy alternate-history stories
- want strong performances from Waltz and Pitt
Skip it if you
- dislike graphic violence
- want a historically accurate war film
Best for: Late-night with friends
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Inglourious Basterds
- Stream: Hulu
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
In Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as "The Basterds" are chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis. The Basterds, lead by Lt. Aldo Raine soon cross paths with a French-Jewish teenage girl who runs a movie theater in Paris which is targeted by the soldiers.
Inglourious Basterds parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that this R-rated Tarantino WWII film is extremely violent, with brutal, graphic killing of Nazis.
- Violence & scariness: Intense — Extreme, graphic violence including scalping, executions, and brutal wartime killing.
- Language: Strong — Frequent strong profanity consistent with an R-rated Tarantino film.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: Moderate — Period drinking and smoking feature throughout, including extended tavern scenes.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Inglourious Basterds
If you liked Inglourious Basterds, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Django Unchained (2012) — 89%: Tarantino's other revenge fantasy, with bold performances.
- Pulp Fiction (1994) — 93%: Tarantino's best-known crime film.
- Reservoir Dogs (1992) — 89%: Tarantino's first film, built on tension and talk.
- Jojo Rabbit (2019) — 88%: Dark comedy about the same era.
- Fury (2014) — 87%: Grim tank crew drama set at the end of World War II.
- The Hurt Locker (2008) — 81%: Tense modern war film built on a bomb disposal team.
Director
Cast
- Brad Pitt as LT. Aldo Raine
- Mélanie Laurent as Shosanna
- Christoph Waltz as COL. Hans Landa
- Eli Roth as SGT. Donny Donowitz
- Michael Fassbender as LT. Archie Hicox
- Diane Kruger as Bridget von Hammersmark
- Daniel Brühl as Fredrick Zoller
- Til Schweiger as SGT. Hugo Stiglitz
- Gedeon Burkhard as CPL. Wilhelm Wicki
- Jacky Ido as Marcel
Inglourious Basterds FAQ
Is Inglourious Basterds worth watching?
Worth watching. Tarantino's war fantasy is tense, funny and violent, with opening and basement scenes that rank among his best. The history is rewritten on purpose, and the tone won't suit everyone.
Where can I watch Inglourious Basterds?
In the US you can stream Inglourious Basterds on Hulu and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Inglourious Basterds OK for kids?
Inglourious Basterds is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that this R-rated Tarantino WWII film is extremely violent, with brutal, graphic killing of Nazis.
What movies are like Inglourious Basterds?
If you liked Inglourious Basterds, try Django Unchained, Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs and Jojo Rabbit.