Paris, Texas (1984)

Kernel Score: 91% · 2,159 ratings · Rated R

Genres: Drama

Released: 1984-07-16

Runtime: 145 minutes

Is Paris, Texas worth watching?

Must-watch. A slow, haunting drama about a man who walks out of the desert and tries to reconnect with his son. Harry Dean Stanton's quiet performance and Wenders's visuals make it a deeply moving classic.

Watch it if you

  • like slow, patient character dramas
  • love striking American landscapes on film
  • enjoy performances built on silence

Skip it if you

  • need fast pacing
  • dislike 145-minute slow movies

Best for: Quiet night alone

Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.

Where to watch Paris, Texas

  • Stream: HBO Max
  • Free with ads: Shout! Factory TV, Plex, Tubi
  • Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home
  • Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home

US availability, updated 2026-10-22.

Overview

A man wanders out of the desert not knowing who he is. His brother finds him, and helps to pull his memory back of the life he led before he walked out on his family and disappeared four years earlier.

Paris, Texas parents' guide: ages 15+

Parents need to know that Paris, Texas is an R-rated drama about a man recovering from amnesia and reconnecting with the family he abandoned, including a scene set in a peep show.

  • Sex, romance & nudity: Some — Includes a peep show setting as part of the plot, rated R.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

Movies like Paris, Texas

If you liked Paris, Texas, these are the movies we'd watch next.

  • Perfect Days (2023) — 89%: Quiet, Wenders-directed meditation on a solitary life.
  • Wings of Desire (1987) — 87%: Wenders's poetic, wandering story of connection.
  • The Straight Story (1999) — 89%: Gentle road-trip drama about family and reconciliation.
  • Nomadland (2021) — 80%: Lonely American wandering through vast landscapes.
  • Alice in the Cities (1974) — 84%: Wenders road movie about an adult and a child.
  • No Country for Old Men (2007) — 94%: Stark, Southwestern drama with a haunting atmosphere.

Director

Wim Wenders

Cast

  • Harry Dean Stanton as Travis
  • Nastassja Kinski as Jane
  • Dean Stockwell as Walt
  • Hunter Carson as Hunter
  • Aurore Clément as Anne
  • Bernhard Wicki as Doctor Ulmer
  • Sam Berry as Gas Station Attendant
  • Claresie Mobley as Car Rental Clerk
  • Viva as Woman on TV
  • Socorro Valdez as Carmelita

Paris, Texas FAQ

Is Paris, Texas worth watching?

Must-watch. A slow, haunting drama about a man who walks out of the desert and tries to reconnect with his son. Harry Dean Stanton's quiet performance and Wenders's visuals make it a deeply moving classic.

Where can I watch Paris, Texas?

In the US you can stream Paris, Texas on HBO Max, watch it free with ads on Shout! Factory TV, Plex and Tubi and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango At Home.

Is Paris, Texas OK for kids?

Paris, Texas is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Paris, Texas is an R-rated drama about a man recovering from amnesia and reconnecting with the family he abandoned, including a scene set in a peep show.

What movies are like Paris, Texas?

If you liked Paris, Texas, try Perfect Days, Wings of Desire, The Straight Story and Nomadland.