The Big Heat (1953)
Kernel Score: 86% · 541 ratings
Genres: Crime, Thriller
Released: 1953-10-14
Runtime: 89 minutes
Where to watch The Big Heat
- Stream: YouTube TV
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
After the suspicious suicide of a fellow cop, tough homicide detective Dave Bannion takes the law into his own hands when he sets out to smash a vicious crime syndicate.
The Big Heat parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that The Big Heat is a classic film-noir crime thriller involving a car bomb, police corruption, and organized crime violence.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — Includes a car bombing, gangster violence, and a notoriously brutal scene as a detective battles a crime syndicate.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Big Heat
If you liked The Big Heat, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Touch of Evil (1958) — 87%
- Caliber 9 (1972) — 83%
- The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil (2019) — 89%
- Hard Hit (2021) — 83%
- The Long Good Friday (1980) — 79%
- Police Story 2 (1988) — 80%
- Chocolate (2008) — 80%
- Scarface (1932) — 83%
Director
Cast
- Glenn Ford as Det. Sgt. Dave Bannion
- Gloria Grahame as Debby Marsh
- Lee Marvin as Vince Stone
- Jeanette Nolan as Bertha Duncan
- Alexander Scourby as Mike Lagana
- Jocelyn Brando as Katie Bannion
- Peter Whitney as Tierney
- Willis Bouchey as Lt. Ted Wilks
- Robert Burton as Det. Gus Burke
- Adam Williams as Larry Gordon
The Big Heat FAQ
Is The Big Heat good?
The Big Heat has an 86% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 541 audience ratings.
Where can I watch The Big Heat?
In the US you can stream The Big Heat on YouTube TV and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Big Heat OK for kids?
Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that The Big Heat is a classic film-noir crime thriller involving a car bomb, police corruption, and organized crime violence.
What movies are like The Big Heat?
If you liked The Big Heat, try Touch of Evil, Caliber 9, The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil and Hard Hit.