The Sting (1973)
Kernel Score: 88% · 2,889 ratings · Rated PG
Genres: Comedy, Crime, Drama
Released: 1973-12-25
Runtime: 129 minutes
Is The Sting worth watching?
Must-watch. A joyful, well-built con-man caper with Paul Newman and Robert Redford. The plot is clever, the pacing is relaxed and confident, and it holds up very well.
Watch it if you
- love clever heist and con films
- enjoy classic Hollywood charm
- like old-fashioned storytelling
Skip it if you
- dislike older films
- want fast modern editing
Best for: Classic movie night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The Sting
- Stream: Prime Video, YouTube TV
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
A novice con man teams up with an acknowledged master to avenge the murder of a mutual friend by pulling off the ultimate big con and swindling a fortune from a big-time mobster.
The Sting parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that The Sting is a PG-rated classic caper comedy about con men swindling a mobster, with cautionary crime themes but light violence.
- Violence & scariness: A little — As a con-artist caper rather than an action film, violence is minimal per the PG rating and genre.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Sting
If you liked The Sting, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) — 86%: Same stars and same director in a Western
- Catch Me If You Can (2002) — 93%: Fast, clever film about a con artist
- Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988) — 79%: Two rival con men in a comic duel
- Matchstick Men (2003) — 79%: Neat con-man comedy-drama
- Murder on the Orient Express (1974) — 79%: Classic star-studded mystery
- In Bruges (2008) — 87%: Funny, dark crime comedy
Director
George Roy Hill
Cast
- Paul Newman as Henry Gondorff
- Robert Redford as Johnny Hooker
- Robert Shaw as Doyle Lonnegan
- Charles Durning as Lt. Wm. Snyder
- Ray Walston as J.J. Singleton
- Eileen Brennan as Billie
- Harold Gould as Kid Twist
- John Heffernan as Eddie Niles
- Dana Elcar as F.B.I. Agent Polk
- Jack Kehoe as Erie Kid
The Sting FAQ
Is The Sting worth watching?
Must-watch. A joyful, well-built con-man caper with Paul Newman and Robert Redford. The plot is clever, the pacing is relaxed and confident, and it holds up very well.
Where can I watch The Sting?
In the US you can stream The Sting on Prime Video and YouTube TV and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Sting OK for kids?
The Sting is rated PG. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that The Sting is a PG-rated classic caper comedy about con men swindling a mobster, with cautionary crime themes but light violence.
What movies are like The Sting?
If you liked The Sting, try Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Catch Me If You Can, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Matchstick Men.