The Circus (1928)
Kernel Score: 88% · 875 ratings · Rated G
Genres: Comedy, Romance, Drama
Released: 1928-01-06
Runtime: 72 minutes
Where to watch The Circus
- Stream: Prime Video, The Criterion Channel, FlixFling, HBO Max
- Free with ads: JustWatch TV Free, Darkroom, Fawesome, Prime Video (free with ads), Amazon MX Player
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Charlie, a wandering tramp, becomes a circus handyman - soon the star of the show - and falls in love with the circus owner's stepdaughter.
The Circus parents' guide: all ages
Parents need to know that The Circus is a 1928 silent Charlie Chaplin comedy about a tramp who becomes a circus star and falls in unrequited love.
- Violence & scariness: A little — Slapstick comedy chase and mishap sequences typical of silent-era physical comedy, with no real injury.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official G rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Circus
If you liked The Circus, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Water for Elephants (2011) — 76%
- City Lights (1931) — 91%
- Modern Times (1936) — 90%
- Much Ado About Nothing (1993) — 77%
- The One and Only Ivan (2020) — 83%
- The Hating Game (2021) — 82%
- One Week (1920) — 89%
- The Unknown (1927) — 86%
Director
Cast
- Charlie Chaplin as A Tramp
- Al Ernest Garcia as The Circus Proprietor and Ring Master
- Merna Kennedy as The Proprietor's Step-Daughter Merna, a Circus Rider
- Harry Crocker as Rex, a Tight Rope Walker
- George Davis as A Magician
- Henry Bergman as An Old Clown
- Tiny Sandford as The Head Property Man
- John Rand as An Assistant Property Man
- Steve Murphy as A Pickpocket
- Albert Austin as Clown (uncredited)
The Circus FAQ
Is The Circus good?
The Circus has an 88% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 875 audience ratings.
Where can I watch The Circus?
In the US you can stream The Circus on Prime Video, The Criterion Channel, FlixFling and HBO Max, watch it free with ads on JustWatch TV Free, Darkroom, Fawesome, Prime Video (free with ads) and Amazon MX Player and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home and FlixFling.
Is The Circus OK for kids?
The Circus is rated G. Fresh Kernels suggests all ages. Parents need to know that The Circus is a 1928 silent Charlie Chaplin comedy about a tramp who becomes a circus star and falls in unrequited love.
What movies are like The Circus?
If you liked The Circus, try Water for Elephants, City Lights, Modern Times and Much Ado About Nothing.