Man on Fire (2004)
Kernel Score: 84% · 5,549 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Action, Drama, Thriller
Released: 2004-04-23
Runtime: 146 minutes
Is Man on Fire worth watching?
Worth watching. A slow-building revenge thriller about a burnt-out bodyguard whose bond with a young girl turns to fury when she's taken. Denzel Washington is strong, but the violence and style are heavy, and it's long.
Watch it if you
- like intense revenge thrillers
- enjoy Denzel Washington
- want a story with an emotional core
Skip it if you
- dislike brutal violence, torture and kidnapping
- want a short film
Best for: Adult thriller night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Man on Fire
- Stream: YouTube TV, Starz
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Jaded ex-CIA operative John Creasy reluctantly accepts a job as the bodyguard for a 10-year-old girl in Mexico City. They clash at first, but eventually bond, and when she's kidnapped he's consumed by fury and will stop at nothing to save her life.
Man on Fire parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Man on Fire is a violent R-rated thriller centered on the kidnapping of a child and a bodyguard's brutal revenge.
- Violence & scariness: Intense — Rated R with intense, graphic violence including gun battles, torture implied through revenge, kidnapping, and bloodshed.
- Language: Strong — Strong, frequent profanity is present throughout, typical of its R rating.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: Moderate — A main character is depicted as an alcoholic, with drinking shown as part of his troubled backstory.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Man on Fire
If you liked Man on Fire, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) — 85%: Fast, tense thriller with a relentless hero.
- Oldboy (2003) — 89%: Brutal revenge story with a personal core.
- Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002) — 85%: Cold revenge story told with grim realism.
- Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018) — 78%: Violent, tense crime thriller.
- Blood Diamond (2006) — 87%: Serious thriller set in a dangerous place.
- Captain Phillips (2013) — 86%: Real-life hostage thriller with tension.
Director
Cast
- Denzel Washington as John W. Creasy
- Dakota Fanning as Lupita Ramos
- Christopher Walken as Paul Rayburn
- Radha Mitchell as Lisa Ramos
- Marc Anthony as Samuel Ramos
- Giancarlo Giannini as Miguel Manzano
- Rachel Ticotin as Mariana Garcia Guerrero
- Mickey Rourke as Jordan Kalfus
- Roberto Sosa as Daniel Sanchez
- Jesús Ochoa as Victor Fuentes
Man on Fire FAQ
Is Man on Fire worth watching?
Worth watching. A slow-building revenge thriller about a burnt-out bodyguard whose bond with a young girl turns to fury when she's taken. Denzel Washington is strong, but the violence and style are heavy, and it's long.
Where can I watch Man on Fire?
In the US you can stream Man on Fire on YouTube TV and Starz and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Man on Fire OK for kids?
Man on Fire is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Man on Fire is a violent R-rated thriller centered on the kidnapping of a child and a bodyguard's brutal revenge.
What movies are like Man on Fire?
If you liked Man on Fire, try The Bourne Ultimatum, Oldboy, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance and Sicario: Day of the Soldado.