The Rock (1996)
Kernel Score: 81% · 5,087 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Action, Adventure, Thriller
Released: 1996-06-07
Runtime: 137 minutes
Is The Rock worth watching?
Worth watching. Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage team up to stop a rogue general threatening San Francisco from Alcatraz. It's loud, silly and fast, and the two leads carry it as high-gloss 90s action.
Watch it if you
- love 90s action movies
- enjoy buddy pairings that clash
- want a fast, noisy thriller
Skip it if you
- dislike Michael Bay's style
- want a believable plot
Best for: Popcorn night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The Rock
- Stream: Peacock, YouTube TV
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
When vengeful General Francis X. Hummel seizes control of Alcatraz Island and threatens to launch missiles loaded with deadly chemical weapons into San Francisco, only a young FBI chemical weapons expert and notorious Federal prisoner have the skills to penetrate the impregnable island fortress and take him down.
The Rock parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that The Rock is an R-rated action thriller with intense gunfights, chemical weapon threats, and strong language.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — Features shootouts, hostage situations, and a chemical weapons terrorism plot with intense action violence.
- Language: Moderate — Contains strong profanity typical of an R-rated 1990s action film.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Rock
If you liked The Rock, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- True Lies (1994) — 79%: Big-budget 90s action with humour and spectacle.
- Escape from Alcatraz (1979) — 86%: The real Alcatraz story, played as a quiet, tense drama.
- Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023) — 86%: Modern high-energy action with big set pieces.
- Casino Royale (2006) — 87%: Tough, fast spy thriller with a grounded lead.
- Predator (1987) — 85%: 80s action classic with a lean, tense hunt.
- First Blood (1982) — 83%: Early action hit that set the template for later films.
Director
Cast
- Sean Connery as John Patrick Mason
- Nicolas Cage as Dr. Stanley Goodspeed
- Ed Harris as Brigadier General Francis X. Hummel, USMC
- John Spencer as FBI Director James Womack
- David Morse as Major Tom Baxter
- William Forsythe as Special Agent Ernest Paxton
- Michael Biehn as Commander Charles Anderson
- Vanessa Marcil as Carla Pestalozzi
- John C. McGinley as Marine Captain Hendrix
- Gregory Sporleder as Captain Frye
The Rock FAQ
Is The Rock worth watching?
Worth watching. Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage team up to stop a rogue general threatening San Francisco from Alcatraz. It's loud, silly and fast, and the two leads carry it as high-gloss 90s action.
Where can I watch The Rock?
In the US you can stream The Rock on Peacock and YouTube TV and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango At Home.
Is The Rock OK for kids?
The Rock is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that The Rock is an R-rated action thriller with intense gunfights, chemical weapon threats, and strong language.
What movies are like The Rock?
If you liked The Rock, try True Lies, Escape from Alcatraz, Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One and Casino Royale.