The Circus

1928·Movie
1h 12min·G
80
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb8.1Metacritic907.6Rotten Tomatoes97%94%

Where to watch

PrimeJustWatch TVHBO MaxCriterionFlixFling

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

The Circus fingerprint

Big heart, funny.

Energy

Fast-paced

Fast from start to finish.

  • Fast Pace7
  • Adrenaline5
  • Tension5

Heart

Nostalgic and moving

Much of it is about family.

  • Nostalgia9
  • Pathos8
  • Hopefulness8

Humor

Plenty of slapstick and situational comedy

  • Physical Comedy9
  • Situational Comedy8
  • Satire & Parody6

World

History, show business, and family

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

  • World Immersion8
  • Rewatchability8
  • Dialogue Centrality6

Craft

Standout direction and performances

  • Direction8
  • Acting8
  • Narrative Structure7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFamily Movie NightFriends NightParty VibeIntergenerationalKidsPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyPure Escapism

Find more like it

Feel Good moviesFunny moviesNostalgic movies

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

About

The Circus is Here!

Charlie, a wandering tramp, becomes a circus handyman - soon the star of the show - and falls in love with the circus owner's stepdaughter.
Silent FilmCharlie ChaplinPhysical ComedyCircus LifeRomantic ComedySlapstickHistorical SettingNostalgicClassic Cinema

Crew

Directed by:
Charlie Chaplin, Harry Crocker, Della Steele
Written by:
Charlie Chaplin
Produced by:
Charlie Chaplin, Al Ernest Garcia
Composed by:
Charlie Chaplin, Charlie Chaplin, Lambert Williamson

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

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Questions about The Circus

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Circus legally?

PrimeJustWatch TVHBO MaxCriterionFlixFlingDarkroomAmazon Prime Video Free with AdsFawesome

The Circus is included with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video, FlixFling, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime Video with Ads in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on JustWatch TV, Darkroom, and Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Circus worth watching?

80
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 80/100 (IMDb 8.1, Rotten Tomatoes 97%, and Metacritic 90). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Circus rated?

G

It's rated G in the United States.

How long is The Circus?

1 h 12 min

The Circus runs 1 h 12 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Circus?

Critics94
Audiences84

Not quite. Critics rate The Circus higher (94) than audiences (84). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

What language is The Circus in?

Englishxx

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

In how many countries can I watch The Circus?

139ADAEAGALAOARATAUAZBABBBEBFBG+125

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Circus in 139 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Circus use?

What Happened to the Mouse?Bunny-Ears LawyerHastily Hidden MacGuffinNo Name GivenBittersweet EndingThe RunawayOut of the Frying PanExact EavesdroppingDo You Want to Haggle?Bad "Bad Acting"Nobody Here but Us StatuesFaint in Shockand 31 more

TV Tropes lists 43 storytelling tropes for The Circus, including What Happened to the Mouse?, Bunny-Ears Lawyer, Hastily Hidden MacGuffin.

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