Léon: The Professional (1994)
Kernel Score: 91% · 15,845 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Crime, Drama, Action
Released: 1994-09-14
Runtime: 111 minutes
Is Léon: The Professional worth watching?
Must-watch. A hitman unexpectedly becomes protector to a damaged 12-year-old girl, and the odd bond between them drives the film. It's violent and stylish, with great performances from Reno, Portman and Oldman.
Watch it if you
- like crime stories with a surprising emotional core
- enjoy an over-the-top villain
- want strong action with real feeling
Skip it if you
- dislike violence
- are uncomfortable with the adult-child relationship
Best for: Solo night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Léon: The Professional
- Stream: Sundance Now
- Free with ads: YouTube Free, Tubi
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Léon, the top hit man in New York, has earned a rep as an effective "cleaner". But when his next-door neighbors are wiped out by a loose-cannon DEA agent, he becomes the unwilling custodian of 12-year-old Mathilda. Before long, Mathilda's thoughts turn to revenge, and she considers following in Léon's footsteps.
Léon: The Professional parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Léon: The Professional is an R-rated crime drama with heavy gun violence, a drug-abusing villain and an uncomfortable bond between a hitman and a young girl.
- Violence & scariness: Intense — Frequent, stylized gun violence, assassinations and a bloody climactic shootout.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Some — The emotionally charged, uncomfortable bond between a grown hitman and a 12-year-old girl carries romantic undertones, though nothing explicit occurs.
- Language: Strong — Strong profanity throughout, including from a menacing, drug-fueled villain.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: Moderate — A corrupt DEA agent abuses pills, and drug-trade elements run through the story.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Léon: The Professional
If you liked Léon: The Professional, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Nikita (1990) — 78%: Same director's earlier assassin story with a female lead
- John Wick (2014) — 83%: Stylish hitman action with emotion
- Le Samouraï (1967) — 89%: Cool, minimal, ice-cold hitman classic
- The Man from Nowhere (2010) — 85%: Lonely killer protecting a child
- Heat (1995) — 89%: Gripping, stylish crime drama
- Once Upon a Time in America (1984) — 91%: Epic crime story of loyalty and loss
Director
Cast
- Jean Reno as Léon Montana
- Natalie Portman as Mathilda Lando
- Gary Oldman as Norman Stansfield
- Danny Aiello as Tony
- Peter Appel as Malky
- Michael Badalucco as Mathilda's Father
- Ellen Greene as Mathilda's Mother
- Elizabeth Regen as Mathilda's Sister
- Carl J. Matusovich as Mathilda's Brother
- Eric Challier as Bodyguard Chief
Léon: The Professional FAQ
Is Léon: The Professional worth watching?
Must-watch. A hitman unexpectedly becomes protector to a damaged 12-year-old girl, and the odd bond between them drives the film. It's violent and stylish, with great performances from Reno, Portman and Oldman.
Where can I watch Léon: The Professional?
In the US you can stream Léon: The Professional on Sundance Now, watch it free with ads on YouTube Free and Tubi and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Léon: The Professional OK for kids?
Léon: The Professional is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Léon: The Professional is an R-rated crime drama with heavy gun violence, a drug-abusing villain and an uncomfortable bond between a hitman and a young girl.
What movies are like Léon: The Professional?
If you liked Léon: The Professional, try Nikita, John Wick, Le Samouraï and The Man from Nowhere.