Sunset Boulevard (1950)
Kernel Score: 92% · 2,871 ratings · Rated NR
Genres: Drama
Released: 1950-08-10
Runtime: 110 minutes
Is Sunset Boulevard worth watching?
Must-watch. Billy Wilder's dark, sharp look at fame and delusion in Hollywood. The performances are unforgettable and the story still bites, with an ending that is famous for good reason.
Watch it if you
- love classic Hollywood
- enjoy dark, witty dramas
- want something that holds up after 70 years
Skip it if you
- dislike black-and-white films
- want a modern pace
Best for: Classic movie night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Sunset Boulevard
- Stream: Fubo, Kanopy, MGM+
- 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
A hack screenwriter writes a screenplay for a former silent film star who has faded into Hollywood obscurity.
Sunset Boulevard parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Sunset Boulevard is a classic 1950 drama about a faded silent film star's descent into delusion and obsession.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official NR rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Sunset Boulevard
If you liked Sunset Boulevard, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Double Indemnity (1944) — 90%: Wilder's other great noir
- The Apartment (1960) — 91%: Wilder's comic-tragic story of loneliness in the city
- Some Like It Hot (1959) — 89%: Wilder's famous, sharper comedy
- Ace in the Hole (1951) — 87%: Biting Wilder drama about media and ambition
- In a Lonely Place (1950) — 84%: Noir set in Hollywood with a bitter edge
- Witness for the Prosecution (1957) — 89%: Wilder's twisty courtroom classic
Director
Cast
- William Holden as Joe Gillis
- Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond
- Erich von Stroheim as Max von Mayerling
- Nancy Olson as Betty Schaefer
- Fred Clark as Sheldrake
- Lloyd Gough as Morino
- Jack Webb as Artie Green
- Franklyn Farnum as Undertaker
- Larry J. Blake as 1st Finance Man
- Charles Dayton as 2nd Finance Man
Sunset Boulevard FAQ
Is Sunset Boulevard worth watching?
Must-watch. Billy Wilder's dark, sharp look at fame and delusion in Hollywood. The performances are unforgettable and the story still bites, with an ending that is famous for good reason.
Where can I watch Sunset Boulevard?
In the US you can stream Sunset Boulevard on Fubo, Kanopy and MGM+ and rent it from JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV and Google Play.
Is Sunset Boulevard OK for kids?
Sunset Boulevard is rated NR. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Sunset Boulevard is a classic 1950 drama about a faded silent film star's descent into delusion and obsession.
What movies are like Sunset Boulevard?
If you liked Sunset Boulevard, try Double Indemnity, The Apartment, Some Like It Hot and Ace in the Hole.