Rain Man (1988)
Kernel Score: 87% · 6,937 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama
Released: 1988-12-12
Runtime: 134 minutes
Is Rain Man worth watching?
Must-watch. Dustin Hoffman gives a landmark performance as a man with autism, and Tom Cruise is the hard-edged brother who has to learn from him. The road-trip story is simple, and the pair make it matter.
Watch it if you
- like character-driven road trips
- want strong lead performances
- enjoy dramas with humor and heart
Skip it if you
- want a modern, nuanced view of autism
- want a fast-moving plot
Best for: Quiet night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Rain Man
- Stream: Prime Video, MGM+, HBO Max
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
When car dealer Charlie Babbitt learns that his estranged father has died, he returns home to Cincinnati, where he discovers that he has a savant older brother named Raymond and that his father's $3 million fortune is being left to the mental institution in which Raymond lives. Motivated by his father's money, Charlie checks Raymond out of the facility in order to return with him to Los Angeles. The brothers' cross-country trip ends up changing both their lives.
Rain Man parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Rain Man is an R-rated drama about a self-centered man learning compassion for his autistic brother during a cross-country trip.
- Language: Some — Rated R, with some profanity, though the film is largely dramatic rather than crude.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: A little — Includes a Las Vegas casino/blackjack sequence involving gambling.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Rain Man
If you liked Rain Man, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- My Name Is Khan (2010) — 90%: Drama about a man with autism and the people who help him.
- Forrest Gump (1994) — 97%: Warm story about a gentle man seen through simple eyes.
- Sling Blade (1996) — 85%: Character study of a man the world misunderstands.
- Paris, Texas (1984) — 91%: Road-trip drama about a lost man and family bonds.
- The Father (2020) — 90%: Tender drama about a mind slipping away, driven by two performances.
- Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) — 82%: Barry Levinson comedy-drama led by a great central performance.
Director
Cast
- Dustin Hoffman as Raymond Babbitt
- Tom Cruise as Charlie Babbitt
- Valeria Golino as Susanna
- Gerald R. Molen as Dr. Bruner
- Jack Murdock as John Mooney
- Michael D. Roberts as Vern
- Ralph Seymour as Lenny
- Lucinda Jenney as Iris
- Bonnie Hunt as Sally Dibbs
- Kim Robillard as Small Town Doctor
Rain Man FAQ
Is Rain Man worth watching?
Must-watch. Dustin Hoffman gives a landmark performance as a man with autism, and Tom Cruise is the hard-edged brother who has to learn from him. The road-trip story is simple, and the pair make it matter.
Where can I watch Rain Man?
In the US you can stream Rain Man on Prime Video, MGM+ and HBO Max and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Rain Man OK for kids?
Rain Man is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Rain Man is an R-rated drama about a self-centered man learning compassion for his autistic brother during a cross-country trip.
What movies are like Rain Man?
If you liked Rain Man, try My Name Is Khan, Forrest Gump, Sling Blade and Paris, Texas.