Pickpocket (1959)
Kernel Score: 81% · 555 ratings · Rated NR
Genres: Crime, Drama
Released: 1959-12-16
Runtime: 75 minutes
Where to watch Pickpocket
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Michel takes up pickpocketing on a lark and is arrested soon after. His mother dies shortly after his release, and despite the objections of his only friend, Jacques, and his mother's neighbor Jeanne, Michel teams up with a couple of petty thieves in order to improve his craft. With a police inspector keeping an eye on him, Michel also tries to get a straight job, but the temptation to steal is hard to resist.
Pickpocket parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Pickpocket is a French drama about a young man drawn into a life of theft and crime.
- Violence & scariness: A little — Mostly nonviolent, focused on petty theft, arrest, and prison rather than physical violence.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official NR rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
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- The Asphalt Jungle (1950) — 84%
- The Night of the Hunter (1955) — 89%
- Oliver Twist (1948) — 85%
- La Strada (1954) — 89%
- Take the Money and Run (1969) — 78%
- Port of Shadows (1938) — 84%
Director
Cast
- Martin LaSalle as Michel
- Marika Green as Jeanne
- Jean Pélégri as Lead Inspector
- Dolly Scal as The Mother
- Pierre Leymarie as Jacques
- Kassagi as 1st Accomplice
- Pierre Étaix as 2nd Accomplice
- César Gattegno as Inspector
- Sophie Saint-Just as (uncredited)
- Dominique Zardi as Subway Passenger (uncredited)
Pickpocket FAQ
Is Pickpocket good?
Pickpocket has an 81% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 555 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Pickpocket?
In the US you can rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango At Home.
Is Pickpocket OK for kids?
Pickpocket is rated NR. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Pickpocket is a French drama about a young man drawn into a life of theft and crime.
What movies are like Pickpocket?
If you liked Pickpocket, try Pickup on South Street, Brute Force, The Asphalt Jungle and The Night of the Hunter.