The Death of Stalin (2017)
Kernel Score: 79% · 2,092 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Comedy, Drama, History
Released: 2017-10-20
Runtime: 107 minutes
Is The Death of Stalin worth watching?
Worth watching. A savage satire of Soviet leaders scrambling for power after Stalin dies. The cast is excellent and the jokes are cruel and quick, but the humour sits close to real atrocity, which not everyone will enjoy.
Watch it if you
- like political satire with a dark edge
- enjoy fast, sweary comedy dialogue
- appreciate a great ensemble cast
Skip it if you
- dislike jokes about real historical violence
- want a straight history lesson
Best for: Dark-comedy night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The Death of Stalin
- Stream: Fubo, Paramount+, Philo, Sundance Now
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Pluto TV, Plex
- 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
When dictator Joseph Stalin dies, his parasitic cronies square off in a frantic power struggle to become the next Soviet leader. As they bumble, brawl and back-stab their way to the top, the question remains — just who is running the government?
The Death of Stalin parents' guide: ages 14+
Parents need to know that this R-rated dark comedy satirizes the brutal power struggle following Joseph Stalin's death.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Dark historical satire involving a dictatorship's brutal regime and political violence, per the R rating and keywords.
- Language: Moderate — Sharp, biting satirical dialogue includes strong language typical of an R-rated comedy.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Death of Stalin
If you liked The Death of Stalin, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- In the Loop (2009) — 77%: Same sharp, sweary satire of politicians scheming for position
- The Favourite (2018) — 83%: Dark, witty power struggle among rivals at court
- Barton Fink (1991) — 85%: Bleak, surreal comedy about life under pressure
- The Firemen's Ball (1967) — 79%: Political satire with absurdity and a bitter edge
- M*A*S*H (1970) — 75%: Dark comedy that jokes about institutions and war
- BlacKkKlansman (2018) — 87%: Satirical look at real history with sharp humour
Director
Armando Iannucci
Cast
- Steve Buscemi as Nikita Khrushchev
- Simon Russell Beale as Lavrenti Beria
- Jeffrey Tambor as Georgy Malenkov
- Jason Isaacs as Field Marshal Zhukov
- Michael Palin as Vyacheslav Molotov
- Rupert Friend as Vasily Stalin
- Andrea Riseborough as Svetlana Stalin
- Dermot Crowley as Lazar Kaganovich
- Paul Whitehouse as Anastas Mikoyan
- Paul Chahidi as Nicolai Bulganin
The Death of Stalin FAQ
Is The Death of Stalin worth watching?
Worth watching. A savage satire of Soviet leaders scrambling for power after Stalin dies. The cast is excellent and the jokes are cruel and quick, but the humour sits close to real atrocity, which not everyone will enjoy.
Where can I watch The Death of Stalin?
In the US you can stream The Death of Stalin on Fubo, Paramount+, Philo and Sundance Now, watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Pluto TV and Plex and rent it from JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV and Google Play.
Is The Death of Stalin OK for kids?
The Death of Stalin is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 14+. Parents need to know that this R-rated dark comedy satirizes the brutal power struggle following Joseph Stalin's death.
What movies are like The Death of Stalin?
If you liked The Death of Stalin, try In the Loop, The Favourite, Barton Fink and The Firemen's Ball.