The 400 Blows (1959)
Kernel Score: 89% · 2,299 ratings · Rated NR
Genres: Drama
Released: 1959-06-03
Runtime: 99 minutes
Is The 400 Blows worth watching?
Must-watch. Truffaut's debut follows a neglected Paris schoolboy sliding into petty trouble, and it still feels honest and unforced. Léaud's performance and the quiet final shot make it one of the essential coming-of-age films.
Watch it if you
- want a classic that shaped French New Wave cinema
- like character-driven stories with no tidy morals
- are curious about film history but want something short
Skip it if you
- can't settle into black-and-white subtitled films
- need plot twists or fast pacing
Best for: Quiet solo night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The 400 Blows
- Stream: HBO Max
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Shout! Factory TV, YouTube Free, Plex, Tubi
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
For young Parisian boy Antoine Doinel, life is one difficult situation after another. Surrounded by inconsiderate adults, including his neglectful parents, Antoine spends his days with his best friend, Rene, trying to plan for a better life. When one of their schemes goes awry, Antoine ends up in trouble with the law, leading to even more conflicts with unsympathetic authority figures.
The 400 Blows parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that The 400 Blows follows a neglected boy who drifts into petty crime and trouble with authorities.
- Violence & scariness: A little — Includes a juvenile detention/mugshot scene and minor delinquency, no major violence.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official NR rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The 400 Blows
If you liked The 400 Blows, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- La Haine (1995) — 89%: Another French story of troubled youth, harder and more modern
- Au Revoir les Enfants (1987) — 87%: Boyhood, schools and cruelty of adults in France, told with restraint
- Stolen Kisses (1968) — 81%: Truffaut follows Antoine Doinel into young adulthood, lighter in tone
- Jules and Jim (1962) — 85%: Truffaut's other great early film, warm and restless
- Day for Night (1973) — 86%: Truffaut's affectionate, funny look at filmmaking
- Shoot the Piano Player (1960) — 80%: Early Truffaut again, playful genre mixing with the same loose energy
Director
Cast
- Jean-Pierre Léaud as Antoine Doinel
- Claire Maurier as Gilberte Doinel
- Albert Rémy as Julien Doinel
- Georges Flamant as Mr. Bigey
- Patrick Auffay as René
- Robert Beauvais as Director of the school
- Yvonne Claudie as Mme Bigey
- Pierre Repp as English Teacher
- Guy Decomble as French Teacher
- Daniel Couturier as Betrand Mauricet
The 400 Blows FAQ
Is The 400 Blows worth watching?
Must-watch. Truffaut's debut follows a neglected Paris schoolboy sliding into petty trouble, and it still feels honest and unforced. Léaud's performance and the quiet final shot make it one of the essential coming-of-age films.
Where can I watch The 400 Blows?
In the US you can stream The 400 Blows on HBO Max, watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Shout! Factory TV, YouTube Free, Plex and Tubi and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The 400 Blows OK for kids?
The 400 Blows is rated NR. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that The 400 Blows follows a neglected boy who drifts into petty crime and trouble with authorities.
What movies are like The 400 Blows?
If you liked The 400 Blows, try La Haine, Au Revoir les Enfants, Stolen Kisses and Jules and Jim.