Shutter Island (2010)
Kernel Score: 91% · 25,504 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, Thriller, Mystery
Released: 2010-02-14
Runtime: 138 minutes
Is Shutter Island worth watching?
Worth watching. A moody mystery set in a hospital for the criminally insane, with a twist you'll either enjoy or see coming. It's well acted and atmospheric, if a little overbaked.
Watch it if you
- like psychological thrillers
- enjoy atmosphere and slow reveals
- want a DiCaprio and Scorsese pairing
Skip it if you
- dislike twist endings that change everything
- want realistic crime
Best for: Dark, rainy night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Shutter Island
- Stream: Fubo, Paramount+
- Free with ads: Kanopy, YouTube Free
- Rent: JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
World War II soldier-turned-U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels investigates the disappearance of a patient from a hospital for the criminally insane, but his efforts are compromised by troubling visions and a mysterious doctor.
Shutter Island parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Shutter Island is an R-rated psychological thriller with disturbing, violent imagery set in a hospital for the criminally insane.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — The mystery features disturbing violence and imagery, including Holocaust and concentration-camp flashbacks, unsettling visions, and the criminally insane.
- Language: Moderate — The R rating and dark thriller tone indicate strong profanity.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Shutter Island
If you liked Shutter Island, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Silence of the Lambs (1991) — 89%: Chilling hunt for a killer, based on a classic novel.
- The Sixth Sense (1999) — 89%: Famous for a twist that reframes everything.
- Mulholland Drive (2001) — 87%: Dreamlike mystery that's harder to follow.
- Chinatown (1974) — 87%: Classic detective story with a bleak heart.
- Twelve Monkeys (1995) — 87%: Time-travel puzzle with a haunted lead.
- Mystic River (2003) — 89%: Dark, adult mystery driven by grief.
Director
Cast
- Leonardo DiCaprio as Teddy Daniels
- Mark Ruffalo as Chuck Aule
- Ben Kingsley as Dr. Cawley
- Max von Sydow as Dr. Naehring
- Michelle Williams as Dolores
- Emily Mortimer as Rachel 1
- Patricia Clarkson as Rachel 2
- Jackie Earle Haley as George Noyce
- Ted Levine as Warden
- John Carroll Lynch as Deputy Warden McPherson
Shutter Island FAQ
Is Shutter Island worth watching?
Worth watching. A moody mystery set in a hospital for the criminally insane, with a twist you'll either enjoy or see coming. It's well acted and atmospheric, if a little overbaked.
Where can I watch Shutter Island?
In the US you can stream Shutter Island on Fubo and Paramount+, watch it free with ads on Kanopy and YouTube Free and rent it from JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV and Google Play.
Is Shutter Island OK for kids?
Shutter Island is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Shutter Island is an R-rated psychological thriller with disturbing, violent imagery set in a hospital for the criminally insane.
What movies are like Shutter Island?
If you liked Shutter Island, try The Silence of the Lambs, The Sixth Sense, Mulholland Drive and Chinatown.