Stand by Me (1986)
Kernel Score: 89% · 6,370 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Crime, Drama
Released: 1986-08-08
Runtime: 89 minutes
Is Stand by Me worth watching?
Must-watch. Four boys walk along railway tracks to find a body, and the trip becomes a story about friendship and growing up. It's warm, funny and sad, and the four young actors are natural.
Watch it if you
- like nostalgic coming-of-age stories
- enjoy films about childhood friendships
- want a short, well-acted drama
Skip it if you
- dislike coarse language among kids
- want a lot of plot
Best for: Nostalgic night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Stand by Me
- Stream: Philo
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, Plex
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
After learning that a boy their age has been accidentally killed near their rural homes, four boys decide to go see the body. Gordie, Vern, Chris, and Teddy encounter a mean junk man and a marsh full of leeches, but they also learn more about one another and their very different home lives. Just a lark at first, the boys' adventure evolves into a defining event in their lives.
Stand by Me parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Stand by Me follows four boys on a journey to find a dead body, with mature themes and dark comedy despite a coming-of-age core.
- Violence & scariness: Some — The plot centers on finding a dead body, plus bullying and some tense confrontations, though it's not graphic.
- Language: Moderate — Reviews and the R rating indicate frequent period-appropriate profanity from the young characters.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Stand by Me
If you liked Stand by Me, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Flipped (2010) — 88%: Gentle coming-of-age story about first love and growing up
- The Princess Bride (1987) — 85%: Warm, funny adventure adored across generations
- The Shawshank Redemption (1994) — 100%: Friendship that survives hard times, told with heart
- The Green Mile (1999) — 92%: Another Stephen King story with humanity at its core
- Into the Wild (2007) — 89%: A young person's journey that changes who they are
- When Harry Met Sally... (1989) — 83%: Rob Reiner's other warm, character-led classic
Director
Cast
- Wil Wheaton as Gordie Lachance
- River Phoenix as Chris Chambers
- Corey Feldman as Teddy Duchamp
- Jerry O'Connell as Vern Tessio
- Kiefer Sutherland as Ace Merrill
- Casey Siemaszko as Billy Tessio
- Gary Riley as Charlie Hogan
- Bradley Gregg as Eyeball Chambers
- Jason Oliver as Vince Desjardins
- Marshall Bell as Mr. Lachance
Stand by Me FAQ
Is Stand by Me worth watching?
Must-watch. Four boys walk along railway tracks to find a body, and the trip becomes a story about friendship and growing up. It's warm, funny and sad, and the four young actors are natural.
Where can I watch Stand by Me?
In the US you can stream Stand by Me on Philo and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home and Plex.
Is Stand by Me OK for kids?
Stand by Me is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Stand by Me follows four boys on a journey to find a dead body, with mature themes and dark comedy despite a coming-of-age core.
What movies are like Stand by Me?
If you liked Stand by Me, try Flipped, The Princess Bride, The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile.