The Wrong Man (1956)
Kernel Score: 81% · 603 ratings · Rated NR
Genres: Crime, Drama
Released: 1956-12-22
Runtime: 105 minutes
Where to watch The Wrong Man
- Stream: HBO Max
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
In 1953, an innocent man named Christopher Emmanuel "Manny" Balestrero is arrested after being mistaken for an armed robber.
The Wrong Man parents' guide: ages 8+
Parents need to know that The Wrong Man is a tense black-and-white crime drama about an innocent man wrongly arrested for armed robbery.
- Violence & scariness: A little — Involves an arrest and courtroom drama with minimal onscreen violence, focused on psychological tension.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official NR rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Wrong Man
If you liked The Wrong Man, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Catch Me If You Can (2002) — 93%
- The Night of the Hunter (1955) — 89%
- Trial by Fire (2019) — 76%
- 12 Angry Men (1957) — 96%
- Just Mercy (2019) — 87%
- Band of Outsiders (1964) — 83%
- Where the Sidewalk Ends (1950) — 78%
- Jules and Jim (1962) — 85%
Director
Cast
- Henry Fonda as Manny Balestrero
- Vera Miles as Rose Balestrero
- Anthony Quayle as Frank D. O'Connor
- Harold J. Stone as Detective Lt. Bowers
- Charles Cooper as Detective Matthews
- John Heldabrand as Tomasini
- Esther Minciotti as Mama Balestrero
- Doreen Lang as Ann James
- Laurinda Barrett as Constance Willis
- Norma Connolly as Betty Todd
The Wrong Man FAQ
Is The Wrong Man good?
The Wrong Man has an 81% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 603 audience ratings.
Where can I watch The Wrong Man?
In the US you can stream The Wrong Man on HBO Max and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Wrong Man OK for kids?
The Wrong Man is rated NR. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 8+. Parents need to know that The Wrong Man is a tense black-and-white crime drama about an innocent man wrongly arrested for armed robbery.
What movies are like The Wrong Man?
If you liked The Wrong Man, try Catch Me If You Can, The Night of the Hunter, Trial by Fire and 12 Angry Men.