Citizen Kane
Some called him a hero...others called him a heel.
1941 • 119 min • Mystery · Drama
Synopsis
Newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane is taken from his mother as a boy and made the ward of a rich industrialist. As a result, every well-meaning, tyrannical or self-destructive move he makes for the rest of his life appears in some way to be a reaction to that deeply wounding event.
Our family guide
Best from age 13- 90 Reviewers · 10 · 75%
- 80 Audience · 6164 · 25%
An ambitious newspaper magnate’s life is explored through the eyes of those who knew him after his mysterious last word. From his humble beginnings to immense wealth and power, the film delves into his complex relationships and ultimate isolation, showing how early experiences shaped his destiny.
- Violence & peril
- 1/10
- Language
- 1/10
- Drinking, drugs & smoking
- 2/10
- Romance & sensuality
- 2/10
- Scary moments
- 1/10
Heads up
- Discussions of affairs and a character contemplating suicide.
- A portrayal of old age and loneliness.
- Some smoking and drinking.
What it models well
- The pursuit of purpose
- The nature of memory
- Consequences of ambition
Talk about it after
- How wealth and power can affect personal happiness.
- The impact of early life experiences on adult choices.
- Different perspectives on a single person or event.
- What true success or fulfillment might look like.
Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for Citizen Kane. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.
Where to watch
Rent
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- Fandango At Home
- Spectrum On Demand
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Spectrum On DemandBuy
- Amazon Video
- Apple TV Store
- Google Play Movies
- YouTube
- Fandango At Home
Links go straight to each service. Some are affiliate links that support Movie Knight at no cost to you. Availability data by JustWatch via TMDB.
Top billed cast
Director: Orson Welles • Crew: Orson Welles, Herman J. Mankiewicz
Trailers & clips
Fathom Events Spot
Charlie Kane Forces Susan Into An Opera Career
Charles Foster Kane is Blackmailed During His Race for Governor
Mark Kermode reviews Citizen Kane (1941) | BFI Player
Orson Welles on How He Got The Hays Office to Approve CITIZEN KANE
80th Anniversary
Charles Destroys Susan's Room
Leonard Maltin Announces CITIZEN KANE - AFI Movie Club
Reviewer notes
RecommendedThis is great but if it is actually the greatest of all time then I’ll eat my socks.
RecommendedNow I know why I'm stingy with 10/10 ratings. This .. Is the film.by which all others should be judged. It has it all. From the captivating storyline to the exceptional performances, this film truly sets the bar high for cinematic excellence.…
Not recommendedI watched it because it keeps getting mentioned as one of the best films ever made. I was disappointed. For me it is just average, the hype is unjustified in my opinion. There are much better films from that time and later on.
Recommendedctually every bit as good as it supposed to be.…
RecommendedIf ever there was a film epitomising the best and worst of the "American Dream" then this has to be the one.... Orson Welles has mastered the role of the playboy millionaire who decides to have a go at running a small provincial newspaper - ostensibly to empower the common people and give them a voice...…
Recommended_**Not the greatest film of all time, but has its points of interest**_ After the death of an American newspaper tycoon with political aspirations (Orson Welles), his relatives and associates are interviewed with one reporter trying to figure out the meaning of his last word, “Rosebud.…
RecommendedOutstanding film, no question. <em>'Citizen Kane'</em>, at least to me, feels like such a unique film in terms of how it is brought to life - I don't recall seeing anything that exactly matches it in that regard. It's thoroughly entertaining, I do love how it is crafted together. The score is terrific and the performances from the cast are excellent.…
RecommendedIf you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog @ https://www.msbreviews.com The "greatest film of all-time", everyone declares. I've been revisiting David Fincher's career this last week since he's in charge of directing the upcoming Mank, which premise approaches the story behind Citizen Kane's screenplay credit controversy back in 1941. Herman J.…
RecommendedTrusted family reviewersI fondly recollect, growing up in Canada in the 70's and 80's, my mom taking my older sister and I to the cinema (my dad was more interested in watching bowling, hockey, or either crime shows, British sitcoms or hockey on TV).…
RecommendedTrusted family reviewers"The Greatest Movie of All Time!" That's the general opinion of this movie, and I agree that it is a great movie, but I have seen better movies. The story of Citizen Kane is simple, a newspaper tycoon named Charles Foster Kane (Orson Welles) dies, and his last word is "Rosebud". No one knows what it means, and a reporter starts interviewing people Kane knew, to see if they know the meaning of "Rosebud".…
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Gallery
Details
- TMDB audience
- 8.0/10 (6,164)
- Age rating
- NR
- Status
- Released
- Budget
- $839,727
- Box office
- $23,218,000
- IMDb
- tt0033467
