The Night of the Hunter (1955)
Kernel Score: 89% · 1,789 ratings
Genres: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Released: 1955-07-26
Runtime: 93 minutes
Where to watch The Night of the Hunter
- Stream: Fubo, Philo, MGM+, MUBI
- Free with ads: Kanopy, YouTube Free, Tubi
- Rent: Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy: Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango At Home
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
In Depression-era West Virginia, a serial-killing preacher hunts two young children who know the whereabouts of a stash of money.
The Night of the Hunter parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that this classic thriller features a murderous, fanatical preacher who stalks two children to find hidden money.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — A serial-killing preacher murders a widow and relentlessly hunts two children through much of the film.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Night of the Hunter
If you liked The Night of the Hunter, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Brute Force (1947) — 80%
- M (1931) — 90%
- Special 26 (2013) — 82%
- The Wrong Man (1956) — 81%
- High Sierra (1941) — 79%
- Bob le Flambeur (1956) — 81%
- The Darkest Minds (2018) — 78%
Director
Cast
- Robert Mitchum as Preacher Harry Powell
- Shelley Winters as Willa Harper
- Lillian Gish as Rachel Cooper
- Billy Chapin as John Harper
- Sally Jane Bruce as Pearl Harper
- James Gleason as Uncle Birdie Steptoe
- Evelyn Varden as Icey Spoon
- Don Beddoe as Walt Spoon
- Peter Graves as Ben Harper
- James Griffith as District Attorney
The Night of the Hunter FAQ
Is The Night of the Hunter good?
The Night of the Hunter has an 89% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 1,789 audience ratings.
Where can I watch The Night of the Hunter?
In the US you can stream The Night of the Hunter on Fubo, Philo, MGM+ and MUBI, watch it free with ads on Kanopy, YouTube Free and Tubi and rent it from Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube and Fandango At Home.
Is The Night of the Hunter OK for kids?
Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that this classic thriller features a murderous, fanatical preacher who stalks two children to find hidden money.
What movies are like The Night of the Hunter?
If you liked The Night of the Hunter, try Brute Force, M, Special 26 and The Wrong Man.