The King of Staten Island (2020)
Kernel Score: 77% · 1,102 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Comedy, Drama
Released: 2020-07-22
Runtime: 137 minutes
Where to watch The King of Staten Island
- Free with ads: Prime Video (free with ads), Amazon MX Player
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Scott has been a case of arrested development ever since his firefighter father died when he was seven. He's now reached his mid-20s having achieved little, chasing a dream of becoming a tattoo artist that seems far out of reach. As his ambitious younger sister heads off to college, Scott is still living with his exhausted ER nurse mother and spends his days smoking weed, hanging with the guys — Oscar, Igor and Richie — and secretly hooking up with his childhood friend Kelsey. But when his mother starts dating a loudmouth firefighter named Ray, it sets off a chain of events that will force Scott to grapple with his grief and take his first tentative steps toward moving forward in life.
The King of Staten Island parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that The King of Staten Island is an R-rated comedy-drama with frequent drug use, sexual content, and strong language.
- Violence & scariness: A little — Minimal physical violence; conflict is mostly emotional and interpersonal.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Moderate — Includes a secret sexual relationship between the lead and his childhood friend, discussed openly.
- Language: Moderate — R-rated comedy-drama likely featuring frequent strong language typical of the genre.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: Strong — The protagonist is shown smoking weed regularly throughout, a central part of his slacker lifestyle.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The King of Staten Island
If you liked The King of Staten Island, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Deconstructing Harry (1997) — 82%
- Smoke (1995) — 81%
- After Hours (1985) — 84%
- Big Time Adolescence (2020) — 80%
- The Squid and the Whale (2005) — 77%
- Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015) — 86%
- A Coffee in Berlin (2012) — 78%
- Friday (1995) — 80%
Director
Cast
- Pete Davidson as Scott Carlin
- Marisa Tomei as Margie Carlin
- Bill Burr as Ray Bishop
- Bel Powley as Kelsey
- Maude Apatow as Claire Carlin
- Steve Buscemi as Papa
- Pamela Adlon as Gina
- Action Bronson as Shot or Stabbed Victim
- Kevin Corrigan as Joe
- Ricky Velez as Oscar
The King of Staten Island FAQ
Is The King of Staten Island good?
The King of Staten Island has a 77% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 1,102 audience ratings.
Where can I watch The King of Staten Island?
In the US you can watch it free with ads on Prime Video (free with ads) and Amazon MX Player and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The King of Staten Island OK for kids?
The King of Staten Island is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that The King of Staten Island is an R-rated comedy-drama with frequent drug use, sexual content, and strong language.
What movies are like The King of Staten Island?
If you liked The King of Staten Island, try Deconstructing Harry, Smoke, After Hours and Big Time Adolescence.