Raging Bull (1980)

Kernel Score: 89% · 4,677 ratings · Rated R

Genres: Drama

Released: 1980-11-14

Runtime: 129 minutes

Is Raging Bull worth watching?

Must-watch. Scorsese's brutal portrait of a boxer destroyed by his own rage. It's not a feel-good sports film, but the performance and filmmaking are unforgettable.

Watch it if you

  • love character-driven dramas
  • want a dark boxing film that isn't a rise-to-glory story
  • admire Scorsese and De Niro

Skip it if you

  • want an uplifting sports movie
  • dislike violent, unpleasant leads

Best for: Serious solo night in

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

Where to watch Raging Bull

US availability, updated 2026-10-23.

Overview

The life of boxer Jake LaMotta, whose violence and temper that led him to the top in the ring destroyed his life outside of it.

Raging Bull parents' guide: ages 15+

Parents need to know that Raging Bull is an R-rated biographical drama depicting a boxer's violent temper and domestic abuse.

  • Violence & scariness: Strong — Depicts boxing violence, fistfights, and domestic violence stemming from the protagonist's aggression, per keywords.
  • Language: Moderate — R-rated Scorsese drama typically includes strong language consistent with its gritty tone.

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

Movies like Raging Bull

If you liked Raging Bull, these are the movies we'd watch next.

  • Taxi Driver (1976) — 90%: Another Scorsese study of a violent, isolated man
  • GoodFellas (1990) — 92%: Scorsese's gangster classic
  • Rocky (1976) — 88%: The warmer, more hopeful boxing classic
  • The Fighter (2010) — 84%: True-story boxing drama about family
  • Million Dollar Baby (2004) — 90%: Painful, powerful boxing drama
  • Cinderella Man (2005) — 84%: Hard-times boxing story with real feeling

Director

Martin Scorsese

Cast

  • Robert De Niro as Jake LaMotta
  • Cathy Moriarty as Vickie LaMotta
  • Joe Pesci as Joey LaMotta
  • Frank Vincent as Salvy Batts
  • Nicholas Colasanto as Tommy Como
  • Theresa Saldana as Lenore
  • Mario Gallo as Mario
  • Frank Adonis as Patsy
  • Joseph Bono as Guido
  • Frank Topham as Toppy

Raging Bull FAQ

Is Raging Bull worth watching?

Must-watch. Scorsese's brutal portrait of a boxer destroyed by his own rage. It's not a feel-good sports film, but the performance and filmmaking are unforgettable.

Where can I watch Raging Bull?

In the US you can stream Raging Bull on Prime Video and MGM+, watch it free with ads on Hoopla, Fawesome, The Roku Channel, YouTube Free and Prime Video (free with ads) and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.

Is Raging Bull OK for kids?

Raging Bull is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Raging Bull is an R-rated biographical drama depicting a boxer's violent temper and domestic abuse.

What movies are like Raging Bull?

If you liked Raging Bull, try Taxi Driver, GoodFellas, Rocky and The Fighter.