The Searchers (1956)
Kernel Score: 86% · 1,545 ratings · Rated NR
Genres: Western
Released: 1956-05-16
Runtime: 119 minutes
Where to watch The Searchers
- Stream: YouTube TV
- Free with ads: Fawesome
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
As a Civil War veteran spends years searching for a young niece captured by Indians, his motivation becomes increasingly questionable.
The Searchers parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that The Searchers is a classic Western dealing with racism, abduction, and revenge, including a morally complicated protagonist driven by hatred.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Includes a massacre, an abduction, and scenes of frontier violence involving settlers and Comanche raiders.
- Language: A little — Some period-appropriate rough language typical of a 1950s Western.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official NR rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Searchers
If you liked The Searchers, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Open Range (2003) — 82%
- News of the World (2020) — 78%
- The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) — 84%
- Stagecoach (1939) — 87%
- The Naked Spur (1953) — 76%
- Legends of the Fall (1994) — 84%
- Rio Bravo (1959) — 86%
- My Darling Clementine (1946) — 85%
Director
Cast
- John Wayne as Ethan Edwards
- Jeffrey Hunter as Martin Pawley
- Vera Miles as Laurie Jorgensen
- Ward Bond as Rev. Capt. Samuel Johnston Clayton
- Natalie Wood as Debbie Edwards
- John Qualen as Lars Jorgensen
- Olive Carey as Mrs. Jorgensen
- Henry Brandon as Chief Cicatriz (Scar)
- Ken Curtis as Charlie McCorry
- Harry Carey, Jr. as Brad Jorgensen
The Searchers FAQ
Is The Searchers good?
The Searchers has an 86% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 1,545 audience ratings.
Where can I watch The Searchers?
In the US you can stream The Searchers on YouTube TV, watch it free with ads on Fawesome and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Searchers OK for kids?
The Searchers is rated NR. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that The Searchers is a classic Western dealing with racism, abduction, and revenge, including a morally complicated protagonist driven by hatred.
What movies are like The Searchers?
If you liked The Searchers, try Open Range, News of the World, The Outlaw Josey Wales and Stagecoach.