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The Manchurian Candidate

2004·Movie
2h 10min·R
IMDb6.6Metacritic766.7Rotten Tomatoes79%63%

Where to watch

fuboTVMGM+PhiloStarz

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

The Manchurian Candidate fingerprint

High energy, immersive world, light on feelings.

Energy

Tense and thrilling

Fast from start to finish.

  • Tension8
  • Adrenaline7
  • Fast Pace7

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Pathos5
  • Melancholy5
  • Catharsis4

Humor

Some satire

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Satire & Parody5
  • Wit & Wordplay4
  • Dark Humor4

World

Mystery, politics, and the mind

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and storytelling

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Intrigue9
  • Direction8
  • Acting8

Style

Standout editing

  • Editing8
  • Cinematography7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightSolo WatchThought-Provoking

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Suspense moviesPsychological moviesGritty movies

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About

Everything is under control.

Years after his squad was ambushed during the Gulf War, Major Ben Marco finds himself having terrible nightmares. He begins to doubt that his fellow squad-mate Sergeant Raymond Shaw, now a vice-presidential candidate, is the hero he remembers him being. As Marco's doubts deepen, Shaw's political power grows, and, when Marco finds a mysterious implant embedded in his back, the memory of what really happened begins to return.
Political ThrillerPsychological ManipulationConspiracyMind ControlParanoiaIntense SuspenseMilitaryMystery

Crew

Directed by:
Jonathan Demme, Arthur Anderson, Doug Coleman
Written by:
Dean Georgaris, Daniel Pyne, George Axelrod
Produced by:
Jonathan Demme, Scott Rudin, Eric Zuckerman
Composed by:
Wyclef Jean, Wyclef Jean, Wyclef Jean

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Manchurian Candidate

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Manchurian Candidate legally?

fuboTVMGM+PhiloStarz

The Manchurian Candidate is included with a subscription to fuboTV, Philo, and MGM+ in the United States. You can also rent or buy it from JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Manchurian Candidate worth watching?

71
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 71/100 (IMDb 6.6, Rotten Tomatoes 79%, and Metacritic 76). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Manchurian Candidate rated?

RViolenceStrong language

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

How long is The Manchurian Candidate?

2 h 10 min

The Manchurian Candidate runs 2 h 10 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Manchurian Candidate?

Critics78
Audiences65

Not quite. Critics rate The Manchurian Candidate higher (78) than audiences (65). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

Was The Manchurian Candidate a box office hit?

Budget$80 million
Box office$96 million

Roughly broke even. It cost about $80 million to make and earned $96 million worldwide, 1.2 times its budget.

What language is The Manchurian Candidate in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Manchurian Candidate?

85ADAEAOARATAUAZBEBFBGBOBRBYBZ+71

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Manchurian Candidate in 85 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Manchurian Candidate use?

Unfriendly FireBrainwashedMy Beloved SmotherBad BossLaughably EvilThe MoleBerserk ButtonSpy SpeakAbusive ParentsWhat We Now Know to Be TrueCharacter ShillingCigarette of Anxietyand 75 more

TV Tropes lists 87 storytelling tropes for The Manchurian Candidate, including Unfriendly Fire, Brainwashed, My Beloved Smother.