Lord of War (2005)
Kernel Score: 85% · 5,213 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Released: 2005-09-16
Runtime: 122 minutes
Is Lord of War worth watching?
Worth watching. Nicolas Cage plays an arms dealer who talks his way across the world's war zones. It's darkly funny, well made and openly critical, though it can feel cynical and uneven in its second half.
Watch it if you
- like crime stories narrated by the criminal
- enjoy dark satire
- want a thriller with a real-world edge
Skip it if you
- want a likeable hero
- are bothered by scenes of war violence
Best for: Solo night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Lord of War
- Stream: Prime Video
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Hoopla, Fawesome, The Roku Channel, The CW
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Yuri Orlov is a globetrotting arms dealer and, through some of the deadliest war zones, he struggles to stay one step ahead of a relentless Interpol agent, his business rivals and even some of his customers who include many of the world's most notorious dictators. Finally, he must also face his own conscience.
Lord of War parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Lord of War is an R-rated crime drama following an international arms dealer through war zones and moral compromise.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Depicts civil war, dictators, warlords, and the human cost of the arms trade.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: Moderate — Features drug addiction and cocaine use as part of the protagonist's world.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Lord of War
If you liked Lord of War, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- GoodFellas (1990) — 92%: Narrated rise of a criminal told with wit and menace.
- Carlito's Way (1993) — 87%: Criminal trying and failing to outrun his past.
- The Departed (2006) — 96%: Sharp crime drama about double lives and moral rot.
- Donnie Brasco (1997) — 84%: Undercover crime drama with a conflicted central pair.
- Blow (2001) — 81%: True-style rise-and-fall story of a smuggler.
- Gattaca (1997) — 86%: Andrew Niccol's other clean, clever, idea-driven thriller.
Director
Cast
- Nicolas Cage as Yuri Orlov
- Bridget Moynahan as Ava Fontaine Orlov
- Jared Leto as Vitaly Orlov
- Ethan Hawke as Jack Valentine
- Eamonn Walker as Andre Baptiste Sr.
- Ian Holm as Simeon Weisz
- Sammi Rotibi as Andre Baptiste Jr.
- Tanit Phoenix as Candy
- Shake Tukhmanyan as Irina Orlov
- Jared Burke as Ukrainian Mobster
Lord of War FAQ
Is Lord of War worth watching?
Worth watching. Nicolas Cage plays an arms dealer who talks his way across the world's war zones. It's darkly funny, well made and openly critical, though it can feel cynical and uneven in its second half.
Where can I watch Lord of War?
In the US you can stream Lord of War on Prime Video, watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla, Fawesome, The Roku Channel and The CW and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Lord of War OK for kids?
Lord of War is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Lord of War is an R-rated crime drama following an international arms dealer through war zones and moral compromise.
What movies are like Lord of War?
If you liked Lord of War, try GoodFellas, Carlito's Way, The Departed and Donnie Brasco.