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The French Connection

1971·Movie
1h 44min·R
IMDb7.6Metacritic948.1Rotten Tomatoes97%87%

Where to watch

PrimefuboTVYouTube TVHistory Vault

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

The French Connection fingerprint

High energy, immersive world, emotionally cool.

Energy

Nerve-racking and thrilling

Fast from start to finish.

  • Tension9
  • Adrenaline8
  • Fast Pace8

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Catharsis6
  • Pathos4
  • Melancholy3

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay4
  • Dark Humor4
  • Physical Comedy2

World

Crime, everyday modern life, and mystery

Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.

  • World Immersion9
  • Rewatchability8
  • Dialogue Centrality7

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and storytelling

  • Direction10
  • Acting9
  • Narrative Structure8

Style

Standout editing, cinematography, and sound design

  • Editing10
  • Cinematography9
  • Sound Centrality8

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You want something quiet and calm

Find more like it

Suspense moviesGritty movies

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Doyle is bad news—but a good cop.

Tough narcotics detective 'Popeye' Doyle is in hot pursuit of a suave French drug dealer who may be the key to a huge heroin-smuggling operation.
Gritty Crime ThrillerIconic Car Chase1970s New YorkHard-Boiled CopHeroin Smuggling OperationRealistic Police ProceduralFast-Paced ActionOscar Winner

Crew

Directed by:
William Friedkin, Nicholas Sgarro, William C. Gerrity
Written by:
Ernest Tidyman, Robin Moore
Produced by:
Eddie Egan, Philip D'Antoni, Kenneth Utt
Composed by:
Chris Newman, Theodore Soderberg, Don Ellis

Sequels and Prequels

GoodWatch87
Poster for The French Connection

Media

Questions about The French Connection

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The French Connection legally?

PrimefuboTVYouTube TVHistory Vault

The French Connection is included with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, YouTube TV, and History Vault in the United States. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The French Connection worth watching?

87
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 88/100 (IMDb 7.6, Rotten Tomatoes 97%, and Metacritic 94). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The French Connection rated?

RViolenceStrong languageDrug use

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence, strong language, and drug use.

How long is The French Connection?

1 h 44 min

The French Connection runs 1 h 44 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The French Connection?

Critics96
Audiences81

Not quite. Critics rate The French Connection higher (96) than audiences (81). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

Was The French Connection a box office hit?

Budget$2 million
Box office$41 million

Yes, a big one. It cost about $2 million to make and earned $41 million worldwide, 22.9 times its budget.

What language is The French Connection in?

EnglishFrench

It was made in English, with some French. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The French Connection?

82ADAEALARATAUAZBABEBGBOBRBZCA+68

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The French Connection in 82 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The French Connection use?

Token Good CopsPolice BrutalityCorpsingStop, or I Will Shoot!Odessa StepsFlashed-Badge HijackPolitically Incorrect HeroThe StakeoutAx-CrazyBrooklyn RageInstant SeductionThe Big Rotten Appleand 67 more

TV Tropes lists 79 storytelling tropes for The French Connection, including Token Good Cops, Police Brutality, Corpsing.