The Thin Blue Line (1988)
Kernel Score: 85% · 406 ratings
Genres: Crime, Documentary
Released: 1988-08-28
Runtime: 103 minutes
Where to watch The Thin Blue Line
- Stream: Philo, AMC+, The Criterion Channel, Sundance Now
- Free with ads: Kanopy
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
This unique documentary dramatically re-enacts the crime scene and investigation of a police officer's murder in Dallas.
The Thin Blue Line parents' guide: ages 12+
Parents need to know that The Thin Blue Line is a documentary re-enacting the real 1976 murder of a Dallas police officer and the wrongful conviction that followed.
- Violence & scariness: Some — Re-enacted crime scene depicts a police officer being shot and killed; discussion of the death penalty.
- Language: A little — Some crime-related language typical of a court/investigation documentary.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Thin Blue Line
If you liked The Thin Blue Line, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- O.J.: Made in America (2016) — 90%
- Deliver Us from Evil (2006) — 79%
- Whitney (2018) — 82%
- Officer Black Belt (2024) — 86%
- Trial by Fire (2019) — 76%
- The Life of David Gale (2003) — 84%
- An Officer and a Spy (2019) — 79%
- Dallas Buyers Club (2013) — 89%
Director
Cast
- Randall Adams as Self
- David Harris as Self
- Gus Rose as Self - Homicide Detective in Dallas
- Jackie Johnson as Self - Homicide Detective in Dallas
- Marshall Touchton as Self - Homicide Detective in Dallas
- Dale Holt as Self - Internal Affairs Investigator in Dallas
- Sam Kittrell as Self - Police Detective in Vidor
- Hootie Nelson as Self - Friend of David Harris in Vidor
- Dennis Johnson as Self - Friend of David Harris in Vidor
- Floyd Jackson as Self - Friend of David Harris in Vidor
The Thin Blue Line FAQ
Is The Thin Blue Line good?
The Thin Blue Line has an 85% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 406 audience ratings.
Where can I watch The Thin Blue Line?
In the US you can stream The Thin Blue Line on Philo, AMC+, The Criterion Channel and Sundance Now, watch it free with ads on Kanopy and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Thin Blue Line OK for kids?
Fresh Kernels suggests ages 12+. Parents need to know that The Thin Blue Line is a documentary re-enacting the real 1976 murder of a Dallas police officer and the wrongful conviction that followed.
What movies are like The Thin Blue Line?
If you liked The Thin Blue Line, try O.J.: Made in America, Deliver Us from Evil, Whitney and Officer Black Belt.