Overview
A powerful tale of family, loyalty, and the dark underbelly of organized crime.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- operatic
- foreboding
- intimate
- classic film night
- crime cinema marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard it as a landmark crime epic distinguished by masterful direction, writing, performances, atmosphere, and lasting influence.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The Corleone family wedding, hierarchy, and succession crisis organize the film's central conflict.
Michael initially rejects the family business before being drawn into leadership by escalating threats.
The daughter's wedding and family gatherings frame negotiations, threats, and criminal decisions.
The Corleones' Italian and Sicilian heritage shapes their authority, loyalties, and business structure.
Films like The Godfather, and why
The Godfather Part II
shared organized crime world, family power struggles, moral corruption, and epic gangster drama
Goodfellas
shared mafia hierarchy, violent criminal enterprise, tragic ambition, and morally compromised protagonists
Scarface
shared crime family dynamics, betrayal, ruthless power contests, and operatic tragedy
Chinatown
shared New Hollywood craft, criminal underworld intrigue, institutional power, and fatalistic drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Francis Ford Coppola
- Release Date
- 1972-03-14
- Runtime
- 175 min
- Rating
- 8.7 / 10 (23659)
Cast
- Marlon Brando
- Al Pacino
- James Caan
- Robert Duvall
- Richard S. Castellano
- Diane Keaton
- Talia Shire
- Gianni Russo
- Sterling Hayden
- John Marley
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Philo, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel
- Rent
- JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Godfather about?
- A reluctant son is pulled into the brutal succession struggle of an American crime dynasty.
- What is The Godfather like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Godfather as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Godfather violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The Godfather as graphic.
- What did critics think of The Godfather?
- Critics broadly regard it as a landmark crime epic distinguished by masterful direction, writing, performances, atmosphere, and lasting influence.
- Which films are like The Godfather?
- Films with a similar feel include The Godfather Part II, Goodfellas, Scarface, and Chinatown.
- How long is The Godfather?
- The Godfather runs 175 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Godfather?
- In United States, The Godfather streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Philo, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel.
