Sophie's Choice (1982)
Kernel Score: 82% · 918 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, Romance, War
Released: 1982-12-08
Runtime: 151 minutes
Where to watch Sophie's Choice
- Stream: Fubo, Peacock
- Free with ads: The CW, Kanopy, Hoopla, Fawesome, The Roku Channel
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Stingo, a young writer, moves to Brooklyn in 1947 to begin work on his first novel. As he becomes friendly with Sophie and her lover Nathan, he learns that she is a Holocaust survivor. Flashbacks reveal her harrowing story, from pre-war prosperity to Auschwitz. In the present, Sophie and Nathan's relationship increasingly unravels as Stingo grows closer to Sophie and Nathan's fragile mental state becomes ever more apparent.
Sophie's Choice parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Sophie's Choice is an R-rated drama depicting the trauma of a Holocaust survivor and the unraveling of a troubled relationship.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — The film deals with the trauma of the Holocaust and concentration camps, depicted through dramatic flashbacks rather than graphic violence.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Sophie's Choice
If you liked Sophie's Choice, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Schindler's List (1993) — 97%
- The Pianist (2002) — 93%
- The Zookeeper's Wife (2017) — 83%
- Where Hands Touch (2018) — 89%
- The Counterfeiters (2007) — 85%
- Diplomacy (2014) — 79%
- Conspiracy (2001) — 82%
- Escape from Sobibor (1987) — 80%
Director
Cast
- Meryl Streep as Zofia "Sophie" Zawistowski
- Kevin Kline as Nathan Landau
- Peter MacNicol as Stingo
- Rita Karin as Yetta
- Josh Mostel as Morris Fink
- Robin Bartlett as Lillian Grossman
- Eugene Lipinski as Polish Professor
- John Rothman as Librarian
- Joseph Leon as Dr. Blackstock
- David Wohl as English Teacher
Sophie's Choice FAQ
Is Sophie's Choice good?
Sophie's Choice has an 82% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 918 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Sophie's Choice?
In the US you can stream Sophie's Choice on Fubo and Peacock, watch it free with ads on The CW, Kanopy, Hoopla, Fawesome and The Roku Channel and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Sophie's Choice OK for kids?
Sophie's Choice is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Sophie's Choice is an R-rated drama depicting the trauma of a Holocaust survivor and the unraveling of a troubled relationship.
What movies are like Sophie's Choice?
If you liked Sophie's Choice, try Schindler's List, The Pianist, The Zookeeper's Wife and Where Hands Touch.