Vertigo (1958)
Kernel Score: 88% · 6,236 ratings · Rated PG
Genres: Mystery, Romance, Thriller
Released: 1958-05-09
Runtime: 128 minutes
Is Vertigo worth watching?
Must-watch. A retired detective is hired to follow a woman and becomes obsessed with her. Hitchcock's film is slow, strange and rich, and its mystery turns into something sadder and darker. It's often named among the greatest films ever made.
Watch it if you
- like classic thrillers
- enjoy obsession and mystery
- are happy with a slow, deliberate pace
Skip it if you
- want fast modern pacing
- dislike old Hollywood acting styles
Best for: Classic film night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Vertigo
- Stream: 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 retired San Francisco detective suffering from acrophobia investigates the strange activities of an old friend's wife, all the while becoming dangerously obsessed with her.
Vertigo parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Vertigo is a classic PG mystery-thriller involving a detective's dangerous obsession and a suicide attempt.
- Violence & scariness: Some — Includes a suicide attempt and psychological thriller tension, largely non-graphic.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Vertigo
If you liked Vertigo, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Rear Window (1954) — 93%: Hitchcock's other great mystery with James Stewart
- Psycho (1960) — 91%: Hitchcock's shocking, influential thriller
- Rebecca (1940) — 89%: Gothic mystery of obsession and secrets
- Notorious (1946) — 88%: Hitchcock romance and suspense with a compromised hero
- Shadow of a Doubt (1943) — 85%: Hitchcock's quiet small-town menace
- Memento (2000) — 96%: Dreamlike mystery that plays with memory and obsession
Director
Cast
- James Stewart as Det. John 'Scottie' Ferguson
- Kim Novak as Madeleine Elster / Judy Barton
- Barbara Bel Geddes as Marjorie 'Midge' Wood
- Tom Helmore as Gavin Elster
- Henry Jones as Coroner
- Raymond Bailey as Scottie's Doctor
- Ellen Corby as Manager of McKittrick Hotel
- Konstantin Shayne as Pop Leibel
- Lee Patrick as Car Owner Mistaken for Madeleine
- Bess Flowers as Diner at Ernie's (uncredited)
Vertigo FAQ
Is Vertigo worth watching?
Must-watch. A retired detective is hired to follow a woman and becomes obsessed with her. Hitchcock's film is slow, strange and rich, and its mystery turns into something sadder and darker. It's often named among the greatest films ever made.
Where can I watch Vertigo?
In the US you can stream Vertigo on YouTube TV and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Vertigo OK for kids?
Vertigo is rated PG. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Vertigo is a classic PG mystery-thriller involving a detective's dangerous obsession and a suicide attempt.
What movies are like Vertigo?
If you liked Vertigo, try Rear Window, Psycho, Rebecca and Notorious.