Mean Streets (1973)

Kernel Score: 79% · 2,262 ratings · Rated R

Genres: Drama, Crime

Released: 1973-10-14

Runtime: 111 minutes

Is Mean Streets worth watching?

Worth watching. Mean Streets is raw early Scorsese, following a small-time hood torn between loyalty, faith and a reckless friend. The loose, restless style is influential and the performances crackle, though the plot is thin.

Watch it if you

  • like gritty gangster dramas
  • want to see where Scorsese's style began
  • enjoy character-driven crime stories

Skip it if you

  • want a tight, plot-heavy crime epic
  • dislike loose, rough-edged filmmaking

Best for: Film-buff night in

Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.

Where to watch Mean Streets

  • Free with ads: Plex, Tubi
  • Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
  • Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube

US availability, updated 2026-10-23.

Overview

A small-time hood must choose from among love, friendship and the chance to rise within the mob.

Mean Streets parents' guide: ages 15+

Parents need to know that Mean Streets is an R-rated crime drama about small-time mobsters in New York facing choices about loyalty and redemption.

  • Violence & scariness: Moderate — Gangster crime drama includes violence typical of Scorsese's mob films per genre and keywords.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

Movies like Mean Streets

If you liked Mean Streets, these are the movies we'd watch next.

  • GoodFellas (1990) — 92%: Scorsese's later and fuller take on street-level mob life
  • The Godfather Part II (1974) — 93%: Great crime drama about family, loyalty and the mob
  • A Bronx Tale (1993) — 87%: Italian-American neighbourhood story about loyalty and temptation
  • Donnie Brasco (1997) — 84%: Undercover story about friendship inside a low-level mob world
  • Taxi Driver (1976) — 90%: Scorsese and De Niro in a gritty New York mood
  • The Departed (2006) — 96%: Scorsese crime drama about trust and betrayal

Director

Martin Scorsese

Cast

  • Robert De Niro as John 'Johnny Boy' Civello
  • Harvey Keitel as Charlie Cappa
  • David Proval as Tony DeVienazo
  • Amy Robinson as Teresa Ronchelli
  • Richard Romanus as Michael Longo
  • Cesare Danova as Giovanni Cappa
  • Victor Argo as Mario
  • George Memmoli as Joey 'Clams' Scala
  • Lenny Scaletta as Jimmy
  • Jeannie Bell as Diane

Mean Streets FAQ

Is Mean Streets worth watching?

Worth watching. Mean Streets is raw early Scorsese, following a small-time hood torn between loyalty, faith and a reckless friend. The loose, restless style is influential and the performances crackle, though the plot is thin.

Where can I watch Mean Streets?

In the US you can watch it free with ads on Plex and Tubi and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.

Is Mean Streets OK for kids?

Mean Streets is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Mean Streets is an R-rated crime drama about small-time mobsters in New York facing choices about loyalty and redemption.

What movies are like Mean Streets?

If you liked Mean Streets, try GoodFellas, The Godfather Part II, A Bronx Tale and Donnie Brasco.