The Selfish Giant (2013)
Kernel Score: 81% · 240 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama
Released: 2013-10-25
Runtime: 91 minutes
Where to watch The Selfish Giant
- Stream: Philo, AMC+, Sundance Now
- Free with ads: Kanopy, The Roku Channel, Plex, Tubi
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
A hyperactive boy and his best friend, a slow-witted youth with an affinity for horses, start collecting scrap metal for a shady dealer.
The Selfish Giant parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that The Selfish Giant is an R-rated British drama about two boys drawn into scrap-metal dealing for a shady adult in a gritty working-class setting.
- Violence & scariness: Some — Gritty, tense depiction of boys entangled with a dangerous adult and risky scrap-collecting work.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Selfish Giant
If you liked The Selfish Giant, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Scarecrow (1973) — 80%
- Palmer (2021) — 89%
- The Basketball Diaries (1995) — 84%
- The Specials (2019) — 86%
- Downton Abbey (2019) — 80%
- Dreamer: Inspired By a True Story (2005) — 79%
- Wuthering Heights (1939) — 78%
- Brassed Off (1996) — 78%
Director
Clio Barnard
Cast
- Conner Chapman as Arbor
- Shaun Thomas as Swifty
- Sean Gilder as Kitten
- Lorraine Ashbourne as Mary
- Ian Burfield as Mick Brazil
- Steve Evets as Price Drop Swift
- Siobhan Finneran as Mrs. Swift
- Ralph Ineson as Johnny Jones
- Rebecca Manley as Michelle 'Shelly' Fenton
- Rhys McCoy as Daniel
The Selfish Giant FAQ
Is The Selfish Giant good?
The Selfish Giant has an 81% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 240 audience ratings.
Where can I watch The Selfish Giant?
In the US you can stream The Selfish Giant on Philo, AMC+ and Sundance Now, watch it free with ads on Kanopy, The Roku Channel, Plex and Tubi and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Selfish Giant OK for kids?
The Selfish Giant is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that The Selfish Giant is an R-rated British drama about two boys drawn into scrap-metal dealing for a shady adult in a gritty working-class setting.
What movies are like The Selfish Giant?
If you liked The Selfish Giant, try Scarecrow, Palmer, The Basketball Diaries and The Specials.