On the Waterfront (1954)
Kernel Score: 89% · 1,733 ratings · Rated NR
Genres: Crime, Drama, Romance
Released: 1954-06-22
Runtime: 108 minutes
Where to watch On the Waterfront
- 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
A prizefighter-turned-longshoreman with a conscience goes up against labor leaders to expose corruption, extortion, and murder among the union ranks.
On the Waterfront parents' guide: all ages
Parents need to know that On the Waterfront is a classic black-and-white crime drama about a dockworker exposing union corruption and murder.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — The plot involves mob-related murder, extortion, and physical confrontation among dockworkers and union leaders.
- Language: Some — A famous quoted line ('cheap, lousy, dirty, stinkin' mug') reflects blunt, era-appropriate tough-guy dialogue.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official NR rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like On the Waterfront
If you liked On the Waterfront, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Wrong Man (1956) — 81%
- Catch Me If You Can (2002) — 93%
- Pierrot le Fou (1965) — 82%
- Suburra (2015) — 83%
- The Night of the Hunter (1955) — 89%
- Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999) — 81%
- Boys Cry (2018) — 77%
- Bob le Flambeur (1956) — 81%
Director
Cast
- Marlon Brando as Terry Malloy
- Eva Marie Saint as Edie Doyle
- Karl Malden as Father Barry
- Lee J. Cobb as Johnny Friendly
- Rod Steiger as Charley Malloy
- Pat Henning as Kayo Dugan
- Leif Erickson as Glover
- James Westerfield as Big Mac
- Tony Galento as Truck
- Tami Mauriello as Tillio
On the Waterfront FAQ
Is On the Waterfront good?
On the Waterfront has an 89% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 1,733 audience ratings.
Where can I watch On the Waterfront?
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 On the Waterfront OK for kids?
On the Waterfront is rated NR. Fresh Kernels suggests all ages. Parents need to know that On the Waterfront is a classic black-and-white crime drama about a dockworker exposing union corruption and murder.
What movies are like On the Waterfront?
If you liked On the Waterfront, try The Wrong Man, Catch Me If You Can, Pierrot le Fou and Suburra.