Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Kernel Score: 87% · 3,354 ratings · Rated PG
Genres: Adventure, History, War
Released: 1962-12-11
Runtime: 228 minutes
Is Lawrence of Arabia worth watching?
Must-watch. David Lean's desert epic follows T.E. Lawrence through war, glory and self-doubt, with Peter O'Toole at its centre. It's long and slow by modern standards, but the scale, landscapes and central performance make it a landmark.
Watch it if you
- love big, sweeping historical epics
- like character studies of complicated heroes
- appreciate classic filmmaking at its best
Skip it if you
- don't have nearly four hours to spare
- want fast pacing and modern action
Best for: Big-screen weekend
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Lawrence of Arabia
- Stream: Netflix
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
During World War I, English officer Thomas Edward 'T.E.' Lawrence sets out to unite and lead the diverse, often warring, Arab tribes to fight the Turks.
Lawrence of Arabia parents' guide: ages 8+
Parents need to know that Lawrence of Arabia is a sweeping PG war epic with battle sequences and historical violence.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Depicts World War I battles, tribal warfare, and violent historical conflict, though largely epic in scale rather than graphic.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Lawrence of Arabia
If you liked Lawrence of Arabia, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) — 89%: Another David Lean war epic about pride and duty
- Doctor Zhivago (1965) — 87%: Lean's sweeping romance set against war and revolution
- Spartacus (1960) — 84%: Classic epic about rebellion and the cost of leadership
- Barry Lyndon (1975) — 90%: Beautifully made period drama with a flawed central figure
- Zulu (1964) — 84%: Classic British war film about courage against huge odds
- Schindler's List (1993) — 97%: Landmark historical drama that gets its power from restraint
Director
Cast
- Peter O'Toole as T.E. Lawrence
- Alec Guinness as Prince Feisal
- Omar Sharif as Sherif Ali
- Anthony Quinn as Auda abu Tayi
- Jack Hawkins as General Allenby
- José Ferrer as Turkish Bey
- Anthony Quayle as Colonel Harry Brighton
- Claude Rains as Mr. Dryden
- Arthur Kennedy as Jackson Bentley
- Donald Wolfit as General Murray
Lawrence of Arabia FAQ
Is Lawrence of Arabia worth watching?
Must-watch. David Lean's desert epic follows T.E. Lawrence through war, glory and self-doubt, with Peter O'Toole at its centre. It's long and slow by modern standards, but the scale, landscapes and central performance make it a landmark.
Where can I watch Lawrence of Arabia?
In the US you can stream Lawrence of Arabia on Netflix and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Lawrence of Arabia OK for kids?
Lawrence of Arabia is rated PG. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 8+. Parents need to know that Lawrence of Arabia is a sweeping PG war epic with battle sequences and historical violence.
What movies are like Lawrence of Arabia?
If you liked Lawrence of Arabia, try The Bridge on the River Kwai, Doctor Zhivago, Spartacus and Barry Lyndon.