Opening Night (1977)
Kernel Score: 84% · 254 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Drama
Released: 1977-12-22
Runtime: 144 minutes
Where to watch Opening Night
- Stream: The Criterion Channel, HBO Max
- Free with ads: Mometu
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Actress Myrtle Gordon is a functioning alcoholic who is a few days from the opening night of her latest play, concerning a woman distraught about aging. One night a car kills one of Myrtle's fans who is chasing her limousine in an attempt to get the star's attention. Myrtle internalizes the accident and goes on a spiritual quest, but fails to finds the answers she is after. As opening night inches closer and closer, fragile Myrtle must find a way to make the show go on.
Opening Night parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Opening Night is a PG-13 drama about a functioning alcoholic actress, featuring heavy drinking, a fatal car accident, and psychological breakdown.
- Violence & scariness: Some — Includes a car accident that kills a fan and scenes of psychological breakdown.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: Strong — Centers on an actress's alcoholism, with repeated depictions of heavy drinking as she nears a nervous breakdown.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Opening Night
If you liked Opening Night, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Sunset Boulevard (1950) — 92%
- Synecdoche, New York (2008) — 85%
- tick, tick... BOOM! (2021) — 85%
- If I Stay (2014) — 83%
- The Lost Weekend (1945) — 85%
- Fathers and Daughters (2015) — 79%
- Hamlet (1948) — 84%
- Almost Famous (2000) — 85%
Director
Cast
- Gena Rowlands as Myrtle Gordon
- John Cassavetes as Maurice Aarons
- Ben Gazzara as Manny Victor
- Joan Blondell as Sarah Goode
- Paul Stewart as David Samuels
- Zohra Lampert as Dorothy Victor
- Laura Johnson as Nancy Stein
- John Tuell as Gus Simmons
- Ray Powers as Jimmy
- John Finnegan as Bobby
Opening Night FAQ
Is Opening Night good?
Opening Night has an 84% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 254 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Opening Night?
In the US you can stream Opening Night on The Criterion Channel and HBO Max, watch it free with ads on Mometu and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango At Home.
Is Opening Night OK for kids?
Opening Night is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Opening Night is a PG-13 drama about a functioning alcoholic actress, featuring heavy drinking, a fatal car accident, and psychological breakdown.
What movies are like Opening Night?
If you liked Opening Night, try Sunset Boulevard, Synecdoche, New York, tick, tick... BOOM! and If I Stay.