Walk the Line (2005)
Kernel Score: 84% · 3,082 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Drama, Music, Romance
Released: 2005-09-13
Runtime: 136 minutes
Is Walk the Line worth watching?
Worth watching. A solid music biopic following Johnny Cash from poverty to fame and his love for June Carter. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon sing and act well, and the formula is familiar but well done.
Watch it if you
- like music biopics with real performances
- enjoy country and rock history
Skip it if you
- dislike formulaic biopic structure
- want a deep look at Cash's later life
Best for: Date night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Walk the Line
- Stream: HBO Max, Cinemax Apple TV channel
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
A chronicle of country music legend Johnny Cash's life, from his early days on an Arkansas cotton farm to his rise to fame with Sun Records in Memphis, where he recorded alongside Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.
Walk the Line parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Walk the Line is a biographical drama about Johnny Cash that includes drug use, infidelity, and emotional intensity; rated PG-13.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Some — Includes an adultery storyline and romantic relationships.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: Moderate — Depicts drug and alcohol abuse tied to Johnny Cash's struggles.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Walk the Line
If you liked Walk the Line, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- A Complete Unknown (2024) — 81%: Another music biopic centred on one legend's early rise
- La Bamba (1987) — 82%: Short, heartfelt rock-and-roll biography
- Elvis (2022) — 84%: Big, showy biopic about a music legend
- A Star Is Born (2018) — 84%: Music romance with strong performances
- Cadillac Records (2008) — 78%: Biopic of early blues and rock'n'roll
- Stop Making Sense (1984) — 92%: Fantastic concert film for music lovers
Director
Cast
- Joaquin Phoenix as John R. Cash
- Reese Witherspoon as June Carter
- Ginnifer Goodwin as Vivian Cash
- Robert Patrick as Ray Cash
- Dallas Roberts as Sam Phillips
- Dan John Miller as Luther Perkins
- Larry Bagby as Marshall Grant
- Shelby Lynne as Carrie Cash
- Tyler Hilton as Elvis Presley
- Waylon Payne as Jerry Lee Lewis
Walk the Line FAQ
Is Walk the Line worth watching?
Worth watching. A solid music biopic following Johnny Cash from poverty to fame and his love for June Carter. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon sing and act well, and the formula is familiar but well done.
Where can I watch Walk the Line?
In the US you can stream Walk the Line on HBO Max and Cinemax Apple TV channel and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Walk the Line OK for kids?
Walk the Line is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Walk the Line is a biographical drama about Johnny Cash that includes drug use, infidelity, and emotional intensity; rated PG-13.
What movies are like Walk the Line?
If you liked Walk the Line, try A Complete Unknown, La Bamba, Elvis and A Star Is Born.