Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
Kernel Score: 86% · 1,169 ratings · Rated NR
Genres: Comedy, Drama
Released: 1939-10-19
Runtime: 130 minutes
Where to watch Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
- Free with ads: Tubi
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
After the death of a United States Senator, idealistic Jefferson Smith is appointed as his replacement in Washington. Soon, the naive and earnest new senator has to battle political corruption.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington parents' guide: ages 6+
Parents need to know that Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is a classic drama-comedy about an idealistic senator fighting political corruption.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official NR rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
If you liked Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Vice (2018) — 77%
- The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019) — 82%
- Just Mercy (2019) — 87%
- Official Secrets (2019) — 83%
- The Birdcage (1996) — 77%
- The Report (2019) — 78%
Director
Cast
- James Stewart as Jefferson Smith
- Jean Arthur as Clarissa Saunders
- Claude Rains as Joseph Paine
- Edward Arnold as Jim Taylor
- Guy Kibbee as Governor Hopper
- Thomas Mitchell as Diz Moore
- Eugene Pallette as Chick McGann
- Beulah Bondi as Ma Smith
- H.B. Warner as Senate Majority Leader
- Harry Carey as President of the Senate
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington FAQ
Is Mr. Smith Goes to Washington good?
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington has an 86% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 1,169 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Mr. Smith Goes to Washington?
In the US you can watch it free with ads on Tubi and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Mr. Smith Goes to Washington OK for kids?
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is rated NR. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 6+. Parents need to know that Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is a classic drama-comedy about an idealistic senator fighting political corruption.
What movies are like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington?
If you liked Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, try Vice, The Peanut Butter Falcon, Just Mercy and Official Secrets.