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Trailer

Meet John Doe

1941Movie2 h 3 minNR

ComedyDrama
74
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb7.6Metacritic635.7Rotten Tomatoes92%82%

A moving, cathartic drama movie about society and politics.

Good for date night · friends night · party vibe

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for scares or laughs.

Movies with

Story

All America wants to meet the “Mr. Deeds” of 1941!

As a parting shot, fired reporter Ann Mitchell prints a fake letter from unemployed "John Doe," who threatens suicide in protest of social ills. The paper is forced to rehire Ann and hires John Willoughby to impersonate "Doe." Ann and her bosses cynically milk the story for all it's worth, until the made-up "John Doe" philosophy starts a whole political movement.

Feels like

  • Classic Hollywood
  • Social Commentary
  • Political Satire
  • Depression Era
  • Cynicism vs. Idealism
  • Orwellian Themes
  • Power of Propaganda
  • Nostalgic Tone
  • Moral Dilemmas

Cast

24 of 47

Crew

Directed by
Frank Capra
Written by
Richard Connell, Robert Presnell Sr., Robert Riskin
Produced by
Frank Capra, Robert Riskin
Music by
Dimitri Tiomkin, Leo F. Forbstein

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

March 14, 1941 · 2 h 3 min · NR

Released
March 14, 1941
Runtime
2 h 3 min
Age rating
NR
Content
Strong Language
Genres
Drama, Comedy, Romance
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Box office
$2 million
Available in
139 countries

Tropes

Messianic Archetype, Leg Focus, Becoming the Mask +9

  • Messianic Archetype
  • Leg Focus
  • Becoming the Mask
  • Pygmalion Plot
  • Chronic Hero Syndrome
  • Cerebus Syndrome
  • Liar Revealed
  • Everybody Calls Him "Barkeep"
  • A Nazi by Any Other Name
  • Rousing Speech
  • Title Drop
  • Enforced Method Acting

12 of 39 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream Meet John Doe?"

Questions about Meet John Doe

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Meet John Doe?

PrimeJustWatch TV FreefuboTVMGM+PhiloBrewThe RokuKanopy

In the United States, Meet John Doe streams on Prime, fuboTV, MGM+, Philo, and Brew, and it is free with ads on JustWatch TV Free, The Roku, Kanopy, Hoopla, Fandango at Home Free, Pluto TV, Plex, Darkroom, Public Domain Movies, Fawesome, Cineverse, Xumo Play, and Tubi TV. You can rent or buy it from Fandango At Home and FlixFling. It also streams in 138 other countries.

Is Meet John Doe worth watching?

74
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 74 (IMDb 7.6, Rotten Tomatoes 92%, and Metacritic 63).

Will Meet John Doe make me laugh?

Light

Now and then: the humor is mostly satire (7 of 10) and sharp wit (6 of 10).

Is Meet John Doe good for date night?

and 4 moreDate NightPartner WatchAdultsFriends NightParty Vibe

Yes: romance is 7 of 10, and the viewing guide lists it for date night.

What tropes does Meet John Doe use?

Messianic ArchetypeLeg FocusBecoming the MaskPygmalion PlotChronic Hero SyndromeCerebus SyndromeLiar RevealedEverybody Calls Him "Barkeep"A Nazi by Any Other NameRousing SpeechTitle DropEnforced Method Actingand 27 more

TV Tropes lists 39 tropes for it, including Messianic Archetype, Leg Focus, and Becoming the Mask.