Psycho (1960)
Kernel Score: 91% · 10,844 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Horror, Thriller, Mystery
Released: 1960-06-22
Runtime: 109 minutes
Is Psycho worth watching?
Must-watch. A woman steals money and stops at a lonely motel, with a famous shock that changed horror. Hitchcock builds dread slowly, and the film still works as a tense, unsettling thriller.
Watch it if you
- like classic suspense
- enjoy Hitchcock
- want horror that relies on mood, not gore
Skip it if you
- need modern pacing
- dislike black-and-white
Best for: Classic movie night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Psycho
- Stream: Netflix, Peacock
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
When larcenous real estate clerk Marion Crane goes on the lam with a wad of cash and hopes of starting a new life, she ends up at the notorious Bates Motel, where manager Norman Bates cares for his housebound mother.
Psycho parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Psycho is an R-rated classic thriller centered on a shocking murder and psychological terror, notably the iconic shower scene.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — Contains a famous murder scene and psychological thriller tension around a serial killer.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Psycho
If you liked Psycho, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Rear Window (1954) — 93%: Hitchcock's other thriller of watching and suspicion.
- Vertigo (1958) — 88%: Hitchcock's dark story of obsession.
- Dial M for Murder (1954) — 89%: Tight, clever Hitchcock murder plot.
- Rope (1948) — 89%: Hitchcock's experimental murder drama.
- Rebecca (1940) — 89%: Atmospheric Hitchcock tale of a haunted house.
- The Others (2001) — 84%: Slow-burn ghost story in the same classic mood.
Director
Cast
- Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates
- Janet Leigh as Marion Crane
- Vera Miles as Lila Crane
- John Gavin as Sam Loomis
- Martin Balsam as Milton Arbogast
- John McIntire as Al Chambers
- Simon Oakland as Fred Richman
- Frank Albertson as Tom Cassidy
- Patricia Hitchcock as Caroline
- Vaughn Taylor as George Lowery
Psycho FAQ
Is Psycho worth watching?
Must-watch. A woman steals money and stops at a lonely motel, with a famous shock that changed horror. Hitchcock builds dread slowly, and the film still works as a tense, unsettling thriller.
Where can I watch Psycho?
In the US you can stream Psycho on Netflix and Peacock and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Psycho OK for kids?
Psycho is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Psycho is an R-rated classic thriller centered on a shocking murder and psychological terror, notably the iconic shower scene.
What movies are like Psycho?
If you liked Psycho, try Rear Window, Vertigo, Dial M for Murder and Rope.