The Founder (2016)
Kernel Score: 80% · 5,310 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Drama, History
Released: 2016-11-24
Runtime: 115 minutes
Is The Founder worth watching?
Worth watching. A sharp true story of how a salesman took over McDonald's. Michael Keaton is great as a driven man, and the film is honest about ambition turning to greed. Not a warm story, but a good one.
Watch it if you
- like business and biopic stories
- enjoy a strong lead performance
- want a story about ambition
Skip it if you
- want a feel-good film
- dislike slow, talky drama
Best for: Easy night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The Founder
- Stream: Netflix
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
The true story of how Ray Kroc, a salesman from Illinois, met Mac and Dick McDonald, who were running a burger operation in 1950s Southern California. Kroc was impressed by the brothers’ speedy system of making the food and saw franchise potential. He maneuvered himself into a position to be able to pull the company from the brothers and create a billion-dollar empire.
The Founder parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that The Founder is a biographical drama about Ray Kroc's ruthless takeover of the McDonald's franchise, showing corporate greed and betrayal.
- Violence & scariness: None — No physical violence indicated in the signals.
- Language: A little — Rated PG-13, suggesting mild language in business confrontations.
- Products & purchases: Moderate — The film centers on the founding and franchising of the McDonald's fast-food empire, showing brand-building in detail.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Founder
If you liked The Founder, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Ford v Ferrari (2019) — 88%: Business and ambition story with a real rivalry.
- Quiz Show (1994) — 82%: Honest drama about ambition and ethics.
- The Banker (2020) — 86%: True story about making money against the odds.
- The Burial (2023) — 80%: Courtroom story about business and money.
- Saving Mr. Banks (2013) — 82%: Another film by the same director.
Director
Cast
- Michael Keaton as Ray Kroc
- Nick Offerman as Dick McDonald
- John Carroll Lynch as Mac McDonald
- Linda Cardellini as Joan Smith
- B. J. Novak as Harry J. Sonneborn
- Laura Dern as Ethel Kroc
- Justin Randell Brooke as Fred Turner
- Kate Kneeland as June Martino
- Patrick Wilson as Rollie Smith
- Griff Furst as Jim Zien
The Founder FAQ
Is The Founder worth watching?
Worth watching. A sharp true story of how a salesman took over McDonald's. Michael Keaton is great as a driven man, and the film is honest about ambition turning to greed. Not a warm story, but a good one.
Where can I watch The Founder?
In the US you can stream The Founder on Netflix and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Founder OK for kids?
The Founder is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that The Founder is a biographical drama about Ray Kroc's ruthless takeover of the McDonald's franchise, showing corporate greed and betrayal.
What movies are like The Founder?
If you liked The Founder, try Ford v Ferrari, Quiz Show, The Banker and The Burial.