Persepolis (2007)
Kernel Score: 89% · 2,110 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Animation, Drama
Released: 2007-06-27
Runtime: 95 minutes
Is Persepolis worth watching?
Must-watch. A funny, moving animated memoir of a girl growing up through the Iranian Revolution and its aftermath. The black-and-white drawing is distinctive and the mix of humour and politics lands with real feeling.
Watch it if you
- like animation made for adults
- want a personal story set against real history
- enjoy coming-of-age stories with bite
Skip it if you
- want a light, purely escapist cartoon
- dislike subtitles or political subject matter
Best for: Thoughtful solo night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Persepolis
- Free with ads: YouTube Free
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
In 1970s Iran, Marjane 'Marji' Satrapi watches events through her young eyes and her idealistic family of a long dream being fulfilled of the hated Shah's defeat in the Iranian Revolution of 1979. However as Marji grows up, she witnesses first hand how the new Iran, now ruled by Islamic fundamentalists, has become a repressive tyranny on its own.
Persepolis parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Persepolis depicts civil war, totalitarian repression, and coming-of-age struggles in revolutionary Iran.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Depicts civil war, bomb alarms, and a totalitarian regime's repression.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Persepolis
If you liked Persepolis, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Grave of the Fireflies (1988) — 96%: Animated war story that hits with devastating human detail
- The Swallows of Kabul (2019) — 87%: Hand-drawn animation about life under a repressive regime
- 20th Century Women (2016) — 84%: Coming-of-age 1970s story anchored in a strong mother-child bond
- The Book Thief (2013) — 85%: A young girl's view of a world gone dark
- Loving Vincent (2017) — 90%: Visually distinctive animation telling a human story with care
- It Was Just an Accident (2025) — 80%: Iran-set drama about living with the cost of oppression
Director
Vincent Paronnaud
Cast
- Chiara Mastroianni as Marjane (voice)
- Danielle Darrieux as Marjane's Grandmother (voice)
- Catherine Deneuve as Marjane's Mother (voice)
- Simon Abkarian as Marjane's Father (voice)
- Gabrielle Lopes Benites as Young Marjane (voice)
- François Jérosme as Uncle Anouche (voice)
- Tilly Mandelbrot as Lali (voice)
- Sophie Arthuys as Walla (voice)
- Arié Elmaleh as Walla (voice)
- Mathias Mlekuz as Walla (voice)
Persepolis FAQ
Is Persepolis worth watching?
Must-watch. A funny, moving animated memoir of a girl growing up through the Iranian Revolution and its aftermath. The black-and-white drawing is distinctive and the mix of humour and politics lands with real feeling.
Where can I watch Persepolis?
In the US you can watch it free with ads on YouTube Free and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Persepolis OK for kids?
Persepolis is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Persepolis depicts civil war, totalitarian repression, and coming-of-age struggles in revolutionary Iran.
What movies are like Persepolis?
If you liked Persepolis, try Grave of the Fireflies, The Swallows of Kabul, 20th Century Women and The Book Thief.