Midnight Cowboy (1969)
Kernel Score: 85% · 1,556 ratings · Rated NC-17
Genres: Drama
Released: 1969-05-25
Runtime: 113 minutes
Where to watch Midnight Cowboy
- Stream: Fubo, Philo, MGM+
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Hoopla, Tubi
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Joe Buck is a wide-eyed hustler from Texas hoping to score big with wealthy New York City women; he finds a companion in Enrico "Ratso" Rizzo, an ailing swindler with a bum leg and a quixotic fantasy of escaping to Florida.
Midnight Cowboy parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Midnight Cowboy is an NC-17 drama depicting male prostitution, rape, and homelessness in New York City.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Includes depictions of rape (including of a male character) and the hardships of homelessness, per the film's keywords.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Strong — Centers on a male hustler's experiences with prostitution and sexual exploitation, rated NC-17.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official NC-17 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Midnight Cowboy
If you liked Midnight Cowboy, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Mysterious Skin (2005) — 85%
- Once Upon a Time in America (1984) — 91%
- Taxi Driver (1976) — 90%
- The Normal Heart (2014) — 88%
- Stuart: A Life Backwards (2007) — 83%
- Beautiful Boy (2018) — 86%
- Landscape in the Mist (1988) — 84%
- Moonlight (2016) — 85%
Director
John Schlesinger
Cast
- Dustin Hoffman as Ratso
- Jon Voight as Joe Buck
- Sylvia Miles as Cass
- John McGiver as Mr. O'Daniel
- Brenda Vaccaro as Shirley
- Barnard Hughes as Towny
- Ruth White as Sally Buck
- Jennifer Salt as Annie
- Gilman Rankin as Woodsy Niles
- Gary Owens as Little Joe
Midnight Cowboy FAQ
Is Midnight Cowboy good?
Midnight Cowboy has an 85% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 1,556 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Midnight Cowboy?
In the US you can stream Midnight Cowboy on Fubo, Philo and MGM+, watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla and Tubi and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Midnight Cowboy OK for kids?
Midnight Cowboy is rated NC-17. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Midnight Cowboy is an NC-17 drama depicting male prostitution, rape, and homelessness in New York City.
What movies are like Midnight Cowboy?
If you liked Midnight Cowboy, try Mysterious Skin, Once Upon a Time in America, Taxi Driver and The Normal Heart.