Mississippi Burning (1988)
Kernel Score: 86% · 1,886 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Released: 1988-12-08
Runtime: 128 minutes
Where to watch Mississippi Burning
- Stream: Fubo, Philo, MGM+
- Free with ads: Hoopla, Fawesome, The Roku Channel, Tubi
- Rent: Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy: Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango At Home
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Two FBI agents investigating the murder of civil rights workers during the 60s seek to breach the conspiracy of silence in a small Southern town where segregation divides black and white. The younger agent trained in FBI school runs up against the small town ways of his partner, a former sheriff.
Mississippi Burning parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Mississippi Burning (R) is an intense drama depicting real civil-rights-era racist violence including murder and KKK activity.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — Depicts murder, a burning cross, and Ku Klux Klan violence tied to a true civil rights case.
- Language: Moderate — R rating and racist subject matter indicate strong and offensive language including racial slurs.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Mississippi Burning
If you liked Mississippi Burning, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Boondock Saints (1999) — 81%
- The Departed (2006) — 96%
- Dolores Claiborne (1995) — 82%
- A Time to Kill (1996) — 82%
- Scarface (1983) — 88%
- Winter Light (1963) — 86%
- Boy A (2008) — 81%
- Midnight Runners (2017) — 86%
Director
Cast
- Gene Hackman as Agent Rupert Anderson
- Willem Dafoe as Agent Alan Ward
- Frances McDormand as Mrs. Pell
- Brad Dourif as Deputy Clinton Pell
- R. Lee Ermey as Mayor Tilman
- Gailard Sartain as Sheriff Stuckey
- Stephen Tobolowsky as Townley
- Michael Rooker as Frank Bailey
- Pruitt Taylor Vince as Lester Cowens
- Badja Djola as Agent Monk
Mississippi Burning FAQ
Is Mississippi Burning good?
Mississippi Burning has an 86% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 1,886 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Mississippi Burning?
In the US you can stream Mississippi Burning on Fubo, Philo and MGM+, watch it free with ads on Hoopla, Fawesome, The Roku Channel and Tubi and rent it from Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube and Fandango At Home.
Is Mississippi Burning OK for kids?
Mississippi Burning is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Mississippi Burning (R) is an intense drama depicting real civil-rights-era racist violence including murder and KKK activity.
What movies are like Mississippi Burning?
If you liked Mississippi Burning, try The Boondock Saints, The Departed, Dolores Claiborne and A Time to Kill.