The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
Kernel Score: 88% · 722 ratings · Rated NR
Genres: Drama, Romance
Released: 1946-12-25
Runtime: 171 minutes
Where to watch The Best Years of Our Lives
- Stream: Prime Video, YouTube TV
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Hoopla, Fawesome, Pluto TV, YouTube Free
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
It's the hope that sustains the spirit of every GI: the dream of the day when he will finally return home. For three WWII veterans, the day has arrived. But for each man, the dream is about to become a nightmare.
The Best Years of Our Lives parents' guide: ages 8+
Parents need to know that The Best Years of Our Lives is a wholesome NR drama about WWII veterans readjusting to civilian life, including a disabled veteran and PTSD themes.
- Violence & scariness: A little — Deals with the aftermath of war and PTSD rather than depicting combat violence directly.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official NR rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Best Years of Our Lives
If you liked The Best Years of Our Lives, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- A Walk in the Clouds (1995) — 83%
- Firebird (2021) — 82%
- Suite Française (2015) — 83%
- Purple Hearts (2022) — 91%
- My King (2015) — 81%
- Summerland (2020) — 83%
- The Lucky One (2012) — 81%
- Me Before You (2016) — 89%
Director
Cast
- Dana Andrews as Fred Derry
- Fredric March as Al Stephenson
- Harold Russell as Homer Parrish
- Teresa Wright as Peggy Stephenson
- Myrna Loy as Milly Stephenson
- Cathy O'Donnell as Wilma Cameron
- Virginia Mayo as Marie Derry
- Hoagy Carmichael as Butch Engle
- Gladys George as Hortense Derry
- Roman Bohnen as Pat Derry
The Best Years of Our Lives FAQ
Is The Best Years of Our Lives good?
The Best Years of Our Lives has an 88% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 722 audience ratings.
Where can I watch The Best Years of Our Lives?
In the US you can stream The Best Years of Our Lives on Prime Video and YouTube TV, watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla, Fawesome, Pluto TV and YouTube Free and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Best Years of Our Lives OK for kids?
The Best Years of Our Lives is rated NR. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 8+. Parents need to know that The Best Years of Our Lives is a wholesome NR drama about WWII veterans readjusting to civilian life, including a disabled veteran and PTSD themes.
What movies are like The Best Years of Our Lives?
If you liked The Best Years of Our Lives, try A Walk in the Clouds, Firebird, Suite Française and Purple Hearts.