7.3
Where can I stream American Playhouse legally?
GoodWatch doesn't know of a legal streaming option for American Playhouse in the United States right now. Pick another country in the Where to Watch section to check elsewhere.
American Playhouse fingerprint
Calm.
Energy
Calm and low-key
- Tension3
- Fast Pace2
- Spectacle2
Heart
Nostalgic
- Nostalgia8
- Wholesome6
- Family Dynamics6
Humor
A little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
- Wit & Wordplay4
- Situational Comedy2
- Satire & Parody2
World
Everyday modern life
- Dialogue Centrality7
- World Immersion5
- Rewatchability4
Craft
Solid, not remarkable
- Acting7
- Direction6
- Dialogue Quality6
Style
Functional look and sound
- Cinematography5
- Editing5
- Music Composition5
All energy traits
- Tension3Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Fast Pace2Quick tempo and momentum.
- Spectacle2Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Adrenaline1High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Violence1Physical conflict and intensity.
- Scare0Frightening moments and scares.
Related traits
- Slow Burn6Gradual build with payoff.
All heart traits
- Nostalgia8Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Wholesome6Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Family Dynamics6Relationships and generational ties.
- Pathos5Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Hopefulness5Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Catharsis5Emotional release and payoff.
- Romance4Love stories and emotional connections.
- Melancholy4Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Coming of Age4Personal growth and self-discovery.
- Wonder3Awe, discovery, and amazement.
Related traits
- Character Depth6Rich, complex characterization.
All humor traits
- Wit & Wordplay4Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Situational Comedy2Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Satire & Parody2Sharp critique and playful imitation.
- Physical Comedy1Slapstick and visual gags.
- Cringe Humor1Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Absurdist Humor1Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
- Dark Humor1Humor from taboo or grim topics.
Related traits
- Wholesome6Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
All world traits
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
- World Immersion5Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Rewatchability4Invites repeat viewing.
- Novelty4Fresh ideas and invention.
- Ambiguity3Open-endedness and uncertainty.
Related traits
- Contemporary Realism7Modern, grounded storytelling.
- Historical6Period settings and real events.
- Biographical5Lives of notable figures.
- Social Commentary5Perspectives on society and norms.
Craft
MediumSolid, not remarkable
The craft is serviceable rather than remarkable.
All craft traits
- Acting7Performance craft and presence.
- Direction6Vision and command behind the camera.
- Dialogue Quality6Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Character Depth6Rich, complex characterization.
- Narrative Structure5Story architecture and form.
- Intrigue4Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Complexity3Layered plots and ideas.
- Non-linear Narrative2Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative1Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Educational7Informative and instructive.
- Slow Burn6Gradual build with payoff.
All style traits
- Cinematography5Visual composition and camera work.
- Editing5Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Music Composition5Score and musical identity.
- Music Centrality4The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
- Visual Stylization3Distinctive aesthetic signature.
- Sound Centrality3Sound design as core element.
Related traits
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
Who it's for
AdultsFamily Movie NightFriends NightIntergenerationalKidsPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking
Find more like it
Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every show. Select a row to see all of them.
Episode ratings
| Season | Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4 | Episode 5 | Episode 6 | Episode 7 | Episode 8 | Episode 9 | Episode 10 | Episode 11 | Episode 12 | Episode 13 | Episode 14 | Episode 15 | Episode 16 | Episode 17 | Episode 18 | Episode 19 | Episode 20 | Episode 21 | Episode 22 | Episode 23 | Episode 24 | Episode 25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 12 not rated | Episode 15 not rated | Episode 18 not rated | Episode 19 not rated | Episode 20 not rated | Episode 21 not rated | Episode 22 not rated | Episode 23 not rated | Episode 24 not rated | |||||||||||||||||
| Episode 6 not rated | Episode 7 not rated | Episode 9 not rated | Episode 10 not rated | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Episode 4 not rated | Episode 7 not rated | Episode 8 not rated | Episode 11 not rated | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Episode 1 not rated | Episode 4 not rated | Episode 8 not rated | Episode 16 not rated | Episode 17 not rated | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Episode 2 not rated | Episode 3 not rated | Episode 8 not rated | Episode 9 not rated | Episode 10 not rated | Episode 11 not rated | Episode 12 not rated | Episode 14 not rated | Episode 17 not rated | Episode 18 not rated | ||||||||||||||||
| Episode 4 not rated | Episode 6 not rated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Episode 2 not rated | Episode 3 not rated | Episode 4 not rated | Episode 5 not rated | Episode 8 not rated | Episode 9 not rated | Episode 14 not rated | |||||||||||||||||||
| Episode 3 not rated | Episode 4 not rated | Episode 6 not rated | Episode 7 not rated | Episode 11 not rated | Episode 12 not rated | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Episode 3 not rated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Episode 2 not rated | Episode 4 not rated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Episode 2 not rated | Episode 3 not rated | Episode 4 not rated | Episode 5 not rated | Episode 6 not rated | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Specials | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Episode | Sp | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | Episode 1 not rated | ||||||||||||
| Episode 2 | Episode 2 not rated | Episode 2 not rated | Episode 2 not rated | Episode 2 not rated | |||||||||
| Episode 3 | Episode 3 not rated | Episode 3 not rated | Episode 3 not rated | Episode 3 not rated | Episode 3 not rated | ||||||||
| Episode 4 | Episode 4 not rated | Episode 4 not rated | Episode 4 not rated | Episode 4 not rated | Episode 4 not rated | Episode 4 not rated | Episode 4 not rated | ||||||
| Episode 5 | Episode 5 not rated | Episode 5 not rated | |||||||||||
| Episode 6 | Episode 6 not rated | Episode 6 not rated | Episode 6 not rated | Episode 6 not rated | |||||||||
| Episode 7 | Episode 7 not rated | Episode 7 not rated | Episode 7 not rated | ||||||||||
| Episode 8 | Episode 8 not rated | Episode 8 not rated | Episode 8 not rated | Episode 8 not rated | |||||||||
| Episode 9 | Episode 9 not rated | Episode 9 not rated | Episode 9 not rated | ||||||||||
| Episode 10 | Episode 10 not rated | Episode 10 not rated | |||||||||||
| Episode 11 | Episode 11 not rated | Episode 11 not rated | Episode 11 not rated | ||||||||||
| Episode 12 | Episode 12 not rated | Episode 12 not rated | Episode 12 not rated | ||||||||||
| Episode 13 | |||||||||||||
| Episode 14 | Episode 14 not rated | Episode 14 not rated | |||||||||||
| Episode 15 | Episode 15 not rated | ||||||||||||
| Episode 16 | Episode 16 not rated | ||||||||||||
| Episode 17 | Episode 17 not rated | Episode 17 not rated | |||||||||||
| Episode 18 | Episode 18 not rated | Episode 18 not rated | |||||||||||
| Episode 19 | Episode 19 not rated | ||||||||||||
| Episode 20 | Episode 20 not rated | ||||||||||||
| Episode 21 | Episode 21 not rated | ||||||||||||
| Episode 22 | Episode 22 not rated | ||||||||||||
| Episode 23 | Episode 23 not rated | ||||||||||||
| Episode 24 | Episode 24 not rated | ||||||||||||
| Episode 25 |
About
American Playhouse is an anthology television series periodically broadcast by Public Broadcasting Service in the United States.
Anthology SeriesLiterary AdaptationsPublic Broadcasting HeritageCharacter-Driven DramaEducational ValueHigh-Quality Acting ShowcaseNostalgic TV AestheticSocial RealismCultural PreservationSlow-Paced Narrative
Actors
Crew
Directed by:
Written by:
Produced by:
Composed by:
Titles like American Playhouse
nearer = more alike
8
You are here: American Playhouse
Tap a poster to move
You are herePreview
vscompared with American Playhouse
American Playhouse1982 · Show
Point at a poster to compare itHold a poster to compare it
This pageTap it to move here
A chip fills to its level. Tap a full one for titles without that trait, a low one for titles with it.
Open a page:The Best of Youth (2003)Running on Empty (1988)Coal Miner's Daughter (1980)The Namesake (2006)Mr. Holland's Opus (1995)RBG (2018)Kadaisi Vivasayi (2022)What Happened, Miss Simone? (2015)The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)Aspirants (2021)The Old Man & the Gun (2018)The Lost King (2022)Nowhere Boy (2009)Minamata (2020)Vaathi (2023)Made in India: A Titan Story (2026)Stand and Deliver (1988)Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool (2017)Arnold (2023)Southside with You (2016)Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story (2024)Guru (2007)Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story (2009)Guide (1965)Vizontele Tuuba (2004)Good Bye, Lenin! (2003)Not One Less (1999)Victoria & Abdul (2017)Young Mr. Lincoln (1939)The Banker (2020)Philomena (2013)Butterfly (1999)12th Fail (2023)Mrs Brown (1997)A Million Miles Away (2023)Joy (2015)The Postman (1994)C.R.A.Z.Y. (2005)Pelle the Conqueror (1987)The Joy Luck Club (1993)The Crown (2016)Breathe (2017)Rosewater (2014)The Glass Castle (2017)Unorthodox (2020)The Young Victoria (2009)Early Summer (1951)The Way We Were (1973)The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears (1980)Stories We Tell (2012)Jay Kelly (2025)Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things (2015)Milk (2008)The Way (2010)Central Station (1998)The Ultimate Gift (2007)Marley (2012)Palm Trees in the Snow (2015)Metropolitan (1990)The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)Rang De Basanti (2006)Liberal Arts (2012)Belle (2013)
Sequels and Prequels
No sequels or prequels available
Media
Questions about American Playhouse
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is American Playhouse worth watching?
69
GoodGoodWatch scoreMostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 70/100 (IMDb 7.3). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is American Playhouse rated?
TV-PG
It's rated TV-PG in the United States.
How many seasons does American Playhouse have?
13 seasons
It has 13 seasons with 211 episodes of about 60 minutes each.
Is American Playhouse based on a true story?
Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.
When did American Playhouse air?
S1 S5 S10
It ran from 1982 to 1996 and has ended.
What language is American Playhouse in?
English
It was made in English. Produced in United States.
What tropes does American Playhouse use?
One-Word TitleIntermissionThe RemakeAlliterative NameCourt Jester
TV Tropes lists 5 storytelling tropes for American Playhouse, including One-Word Title, Intermission, The Remake.