Platoon (1986)
Kernel Score: 87% · 4,992 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, War, Action
Released: 1986-12-19
Runtime: 120 minutes
Is Platoon worth watching?
Must-watch. A young recruit in Vietnam is caught between two sergeants with opposite ideas about war. It's one of the most respected war films, harrowing and honest, and still hard to shake.
Watch it if you
- want a serious, realistic war film
- like moral conflict at the centre of a story
- appreciate strong ensemble acting
Skip it if you
- can't take graphic combat violence
- want an upbeat action movie
Best for: Serious solo viewing
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Platoon
- Stream: Fubo, Philo, MGM+
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Fawesome, The Roku Channel
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
As a young and naive recruit in Vietnam, Chris Taylor faces a moral crisis when confronted with the horrors of war and the duality of man.
Platoon parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Platoon is an R-rated Vietnam War film with intense combat violence, war crimes, and a depicted gang rape.
- Violence & scariness: Intense — Graphic war combat, ambushes, violent deaths, and depicted war crimes including a gang rape scene.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Moderate — Includes a depicted gang rape as part of war crimes storyline.
- Language: Strong — Rated R with strong wartime profanity typical of the genre.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Platoon
If you liked Platoon, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Apocalypse Now (1979) — 91%: Vietnam as a descent into madness, on an epic scale.
- Full Metal Jacket (1987) — 90%: Hard-edged Vietnam film split into two stark halves.
- The Thin Red Line (1998) — 85%: Poetic, reflective war film about soldiers' inner lives.
- Born on the Fourth of July (1989) — 79%: Another Oliver Stone Vietnam film, focused on one man's cost.
- Fury (2014) — 87%: Brutal, character-driven war film in a tank crew.
- All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) — 86%: The classic anti-war film about young soldiers.
Director
Cast
- Charlie Sheen as Chris Taylor
- Willem Dafoe as Sergeant Elias Grodin
- Tom Berenger as Sergeant Robert "Bob" Barnes
- Kevin Dillon as Bunny
- Forest Whitaker as Big Harold
- Mark Moses as Lieutenant Wolfe
- Keith David as King
- Richard Edson as Sal
- Francesco Quinn as Rhah
- John C. McGinley as Sergeant O'Neill
Platoon FAQ
Is Platoon worth watching?
Must-watch. A young recruit in Vietnam is caught between two sergeants with opposite ideas about war. It's one of the most respected war films, harrowing and honest, and still hard to shake.
Where can I watch Platoon?
In the US you can stream Platoon on Fubo, Philo and MGM+, watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Fawesome and The Roku Channel and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Platoon OK for kids?
Platoon is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Platoon is an R-rated Vietnam War film with intense combat violence, war crimes, and a depicted gang rape.
What movies are like Platoon?
If you liked Platoon, try Apocalypse Now, Full Metal Jacket, The Thin Red Line and Born on the Fourth of July.