Scarface (1983)
Kernel Score: 88% · 12,786 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Action, Crime, Drama
Released: 1983-12-09
Runtime: 170 minutes
Is Scarface worth watching?
Must-watch. A loud, violent and operatic crime epic about a rise-and-fall drug lord. Al Pacino is magnetic. It is long, brutal and often excessive, but few gangster films have been this quotable or influential.
Watch it if you
- love big, over-the-top crime sagas
- like rise-and-fall stories
- want a powerful lead performance
Skip it if you
- dislike graphic violence and heavy swearing
- want subtle, restrained filmmaking
Best for: Night in with friends
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Scarface
- Stream: Netflix
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
After getting a green card in exchange for assassinating a Cuban government official, Tony Montana stakes a claim on the drug trade in Miami. Viciously murdering anyone who stands in his way, Tony eventually becomes the biggest drug lord in the state, controlling nearly all the cocaine that comes through Miami. But increased pressure from the police, wars with Colombian drug cartels and his own drug-fueled paranoia serve to fuel the flames of his eventual downfall.
Scarface parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that this R-rated crime epic is drenched in graphic violence, cocaine trafficking, and harsh language as a ruthless drug lord rises and falls.
- Violence & scariness: Intense — The protagonist 'viciously murders anyone who stands in his way' amid drug wars; a reviewer notes the film 'glorifies violence.'
- Language: Intense — A reviewer explicitly cites brash, unsubtle language; expect pervasive profanity throughout.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: Intense — Cocaine and the drug trade are the film's core, including the antagonist's own heavy drug use and paranoia.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Scarface
If you liked Scarface, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Godfather (1972) — 96%: The gold standard of gangster films, cooler and more controlled.
- Carlito's Way (1993) — 87%: Another Pacino crime story with a more tragic, human tone.
- Heat (1995) — 89%: Pacino in a precise crime thriller about obsession.
- The Untouchables (1987) — 87%: Stylish gangster film with a strong score and big set pieces.
- Léon: The Professional (1994) — 91%: Stylish crime drama with a hitman at the centre.
- The Godfather Part II (1974) — 93%: Rise-and-fall crime epic in a very different key.
Director
Cast
- Al Pacino as Tony Montana
- Steven Bauer as Manny Ray
- Michelle Pfeiffer as Elvira
- Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as Gina
- Robert Loggia as Frank Lopez
- Miriam Colon as Mama Montana
- F. Murray Abraham as Omar
- Paul Shenar as Alejandro Sosa
- Harris Yulin as Bernstein
- Ángel Salazar as Chi Chi
Scarface FAQ
Is Scarface worth watching?
Must-watch. A loud, violent and operatic crime epic about a rise-and-fall drug lord. Al Pacino is magnetic. It is long, brutal and often excessive, but few gangster films have been this quotable or influential.
Where can I watch Scarface?
In the US you can stream Scarface on Netflix and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Scarface OK for kids?
Scarface is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that this R-rated crime epic is drenched in graphic violence, cocaine trafficking, and harsh language as a ruthless drug lord rises and falls.
What movies are like Scarface?
If you liked Scarface, try The Godfather, Carlito's Way, Heat and The Untouchables.