Manchester by the Sea (2016)
Kernel Score: 84% · 6,311 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama
Released: 2016-11-17
Runtime: 138 minutes
Is Manchester by the Sea worth watching?
Must-watch. A man goes home to look after his teenage nephew and has to face what happened to him there. It's heavy but honest grief, with beautifully natural acting, and it avoids neat comfort.
Watch it if you
- want a serious, real-feeling drama about loss
- like acting-led films
- can handle a slow, sad story
Skip it if you
- want something uplifting
- dislike slow, quiet dramas
Best for: Solo night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Manchester by the Sea
- Stream: Prime Video
- Free with ads: Prime Video (free with ads), Amazon MX Player
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
After his older brother passes away, Lee Chandler is forced to return home to care for his 16-year-old nephew. There he is compelled to deal with a tragic past that separated him from his family and the community where he was born and raised.
Manchester by the Sea parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Manchester by the Sea is an R-rated drama dealing with grief, family tragedy, and a house fire death.
- Violence & scariness: Some — Involves a tragic house fire causing deaths, discussed rather than shown graphically.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Manchester by the Sea
If you liked Manchester by the Sea, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Still Life (2013) — 85%: Quiet, human story about grief and caring for others
- A Ghost Story (2017) — 79%: Strange, moving film about grief and loss
- In the Bedroom (2001) — 76%: Quiet, devastating drama about a family after a death
- The Shawshank Redemption (1994) — 100%: Powerful drama about enduring loss and finding hope
- 12 Angry Men (1957) — 96%: Serious, character-based drama that rewards close attention
- Whiplash (2014) — 96%: Intense, acclaimed drama driven by great performances
Director
Kenneth Lonergan
Cast
- Casey Affleck as Lee Chandler
- Lucas Hedges as Patrick Chandler
- Michelle Williams as Randi Chandler
- Kyle Chandler as Joe Chandler
- C.J. Wilson as George
- Gretchen Mol as Elise Henderson
- Matthew Broderick as Jeffrey Garner
- Anna Baryshnikov as Sandy
- Heather Burns as Jill
- Ivy O'Brien as Young Patrick Chandler
Manchester by the Sea FAQ
Is Manchester by the Sea worth watching?
Must-watch. A man goes home to look after his teenage nephew and has to face what happened to him there. It's heavy but honest grief, with beautifully natural acting, and it avoids neat comfort.
Where can I watch Manchester by the Sea?
In the US you can stream Manchester by the Sea on Prime Video and watch it free with ads on Prime Video (free with ads) and Amazon MX Player.
Is Manchester by the Sea OK for kids?
Manchester by the Sea is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Manchester by the Sea is an R-rated drama dealing with grief, family tragedy, and a house fire death.
What movies are like Manchester by the Sea?
If you liked Manchester by the Sea, try Still Life, A Ghost Story, In the Bedroom and The Shawshank Redemption.