The Imitation Game (2014)
Kernel Score: 89% · 17,872 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: History, Drama, Thriller, War
Released: 2014-11-14
Runtime: 113 minutes
Is The Imitation Game worth watching?
Must-watch. The Imitation Game follows Alan Turing's codebreaking team during the war, with Cumberbatch as a brilliant, awkward man. It is well acted and absorbing, though it simplifies some history and has a stiff, conventional shape.
Watch it if you
- like true stories about clever people
- enjoy wartime dramas without battle scenes
- want strong lead performances
Skip it if you
- want strict historical accuracy
- dislike conventional biopics
Best for: Date night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The Imitation Game
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Tubi
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Based on the real life story of legendary cryptanalyst Alan Turing, the film portrays the nail-biting race against time by Turing and his brilliant team of code-breakers at Britain's top-secret Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park, during the darkest days of World War II.
The Imitation Game parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that The Imitation Game is a PG-13 historical drama about codebreaker Alan Turing during WWII, dealing with wartime tension and persecution for being gay.
- Violence & scariness: Some — Wartime tension and references to WWII violence, though not graphically depicted.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Imitation Game
If you liked The Imitation Game, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- A Beautiful Mind (2001) — 93%: Another biopic about a gifted, troubled mathematician
- The Man Who Knew Infinity (2016) — 79%: True story of a mathematical genius and his mentor
- Good Will Hunting (1997) — 88%: Drama about a brilliant but troubled young man
- The Courier (2020) — 80%: Cold War spy story based on real events
- The Great Escape (1963) — 89%: Classic wartime story of ingenuity and teamwork
- Schindler's List (1993) — 97%: Powerful historical drama of the same era
Director
Cast
- Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing
- Keira Knightley as Joan Clarke
- Matthew Goode as Hugh Alexander
- Rory Kinnear as Detective Robert Nock
- Allen Leech as John Cairncross
- Matthew Beard as Peter Hilton
- Charles Dance as Commander Denniston
- Mark Strong as Stewart Menzies
- James Northcote as Jack Good
- Tom Goodman-Hill as Sergeant Staehl
The Imitation Game FAQ
Is The Imitation Game worth watching?
Must-watch. The Imitation Game follows Alan Turing's codebreaking team during the war, with Cumberbatch as a brilliant, awkward man. It is well acted and absorbing, though it simplifies some history and has a stiff, conventional shape.
Where can I watch The Imitation Game?
In the US you can watch it free with ads on Kanopy and Tubi and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Imitation Game OK for kids?
The Imitation Game is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that The Imitation Game is a PG-13 historical drama about codebreaker Alan Turing during WWII, dealing with wartime tension and persecution for being gay.
What movies are like The Imitation Game?
If you liked The Imitation Game, try A Beautiful Mind, The Man Who Knew Infinity, Good Will Hunting and The Courier.