The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
Kernel Score: 85% · 790 TMDB ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Thriller, Drama
Released: 1962-10-24
Runtime: 126 minutes
Where to watch The Manchurian Candidate
- Stream: Prime Video
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Hoopla, Fandango at Home, YouTube Free, Prime Video (free with ads)
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, Plex
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home
US availability, updated 2026-11-12.
Overview
Near the end of the Korean War, a platoon of U.S. soldiers is captured by communists and brainwashed. Following the war, the platoon is returned home, and Sergeant Raymond Shaw is lauded as a hero by the rest of his platoon. However, the platoon commander, Captain Bennett Marco, finds himself plagued by strange nightmares and soon races to uncover a terrible plot.
The Manchurian Candidate parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that The Manchurian Candidate is a PG-13 Cold War thriller involving brainwashing, a political assassination conspiracy, and psychological manipulation.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Involves a brainwashed assassin plot and depictions of political violence and conspiracy.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Manchurian Candidate
If you liked The Manchurian Candidate, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Marathon Man (1976) — 80%
- Pickup on South Street (1953) — 81%
- Devotion (2022) — 77%
- The Age of Shadows (2016) — 81%
- Doctor Zhivago (1965) — 87%
- Cold War (2018) — 84%
- M*A*S*H (1970) — 75%
- 71: Into the Fire (2010) — 83%
Director
Cast
- Frank Sinatra as Capt./Maj. Bennett Marco
- Laurence Harvey as Raymond Shaw
- Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Iselin
- Janet Leigh as Eugenie Rose Chaney
- James Gregory as Sen. John Yerkes Iselin
- Henry Silva as Chunjin
- Leslie Parrish as Jocelyn Jordan
- John McGiver as Sen. Thomas Jordan
- Khigh Dhiegh as Dr. Yen Lo
- James Edwards as Cpl. Allen Melvin
The Manchurian Candidate FAQ
Is The Manchurian Candidate good?
The Manchurian Candidate has an 85% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels, our own critic-informed editorial score.
Where can I watch The Manchurian Candidate?
In the US you can stream The Manchurian Candidate on Prime Video, watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla, Fandango at Home, YouTube Free and Prime Video (free with ads) and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home and Plex.
Is The Manchurian Candidate OK for kids?
The Manchurian Candidate is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that The Manchurian Candidate is a PG-13 Cold War thriller involving brainwashing, a political assassination conspiracy, and psychological manipulation.
What movies are like The Manchurian Candidate?
If you liked The Manchurian Candidate, try Marathon Man, Pickup on South Street, Devotion and The Age of Shadows.