Sons of Anarchy (2008)
Kernel Score: 93% · 3,178 ratings
Genres: Crime, Drama
First aired: 2008-09-03
Seasons: 7 · 92 episodes
Is Sons of Anarchy worth watching?
Worth watching. A dark, violent crime saga about an outlaw biker club and the family tangled up in it. It's loosely inspired by Hamlet, packed with twists and soapy melodrama, and strong when it focuses on its characters.
Watch it if you
- like long, dark crime sagas
- enjoy anti-heroes in a closed world
Skip it if you
- dislike graphic violence
- want a fast, light show
Best for: Binge weekend
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Sons of Anarchy
- Stream: Hulu
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango At Home
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
The Sons of Anarchy (SOA) are an outlaw motorcycle club with many charters in the United States and overseas. The show focused on the original and founding charter, Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original, often referred to by the acronym SAMCRO, Sam Crow, or simply Redwood Charter. The charter operates both legal and illegal businesses in the small town of Charming, California. They combine gun-running and a garage, and involvement in porn film industry. Clay, the charter president, likes it old school and violent; while Jax, his stepson and the club's VP, has thoughts about changing the way things are done. Their conflict has effects on both the club and their personal relationship, especially when Jax goes on a personal quest to cleanse the SAMCRO name and image.
Sons of Anarchy parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Sons of Anarchy is a violent TV-MA crime drama about an outlaw motorcycle gang involved in gun-running and crime.
- Violence & scariness: Intense — The show centers on a violent outlaw motorcycle club engaged in gun-running and organized crime.
- Language: Strong — TV-MA crime drama dialogue features frequent strong profanity.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: Moderate — Outlaw biker culture depicted includes drinking and drug-related criminal activity.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official TV-MA rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Shows like Sons of Anarchy
If you liked Sons of Anarchy, these are the shows we'd watch next.
- Mayans M.C. (2018) — 89%: Spin-off set in the same biker-club world
- Animal Kingdom (2016) — 87%: Violent crime family and its internal power struggles
- Peaky Blinders (2013) — 90%: Stylish gang saga built around a ruthless family
- Breaking Bad (2008) — 99%: The great modern TV story of a man turning criminal
- The Sopranos (1999) — 98%: Crime-family drama with complex, flawed characters
- Mayor of Kingstown (2021) — 88%: Gritty crime drama about power, corruption and violence
Cast
- Charlie Hunnam as Jax Teller
- Katey Sagal as Gemma Teller Morrow
- Tommy Flanagan as Filip 'Chibs' Telford
- Mark Boone Junior as Bobby Munson
- Kim Coates as Alex 'Tig' Trager
- Theo Rossi as Juan Carlos 'Juice' Ortiz
- Dayton Callie as Wayne Unser
- David Labrava as Happy Lowman
- Drea De Matteo as Wendy Case
- Jimmy Smits as Nero Padilla
Sons of Anarchy FAQ
Is Sons of Anarchy worth watching?
Worth watching. A dark, violent crime saga about an outlaw biker club and the family tangled up in it. It's loosely inspired by Hamlet, packed with twists and soapy melodrama, and strong when it focuses on its characters.
Where can I watch Sons of Anarchy?
In the US you can stream Sons of Anarchy on Hulu and buy it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and Fandango At Home.
Is Sons of Anarchy OK for kids?
Sons of Anarchy is rated TV-MA. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Sons of Anarchy is a violent TV-MA crime drama about an outlaw motorcycle gang involved in gun-running and crime.
What shows are like Sons of Anarchy?
If you liked Sons of Anarchy, try Mayans M.C., Animal Kingdom, Peaky Blinders and Breaking Bad.