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The Godfather Review (1972) — 95% Celluloid Score

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola · 1972 ·

Short answer

Is The Godfather worth watching?

Yes. The Godfather (1972) earns a 95% Celluloid Score. That makes it a Celluloid Pick, our highest tier. Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one. See the 4 inputs.

95%
Celluloid Score Celluloid Pick

4-input transparent breakdown

98% Editorial Rating
98% Audience snapshot · excluded
100 Metascore
★★★★½ Letterboxd 4.5
9.2 IMDb /10
0
Watch Trailer
Released
Runtime
2h 55m
Age rating
R (US) · 15 (UK) · 17+ (Indonesia) · MA 15+ (Australia) · R (Canada)
Cast
Marlon Brando , Al Pacino , James Caan
Streaming
Prime Video, Paramount+, MGM+
Language
English

Also known as द गॉडफ़ादर El Padrino Le Parrain Der Pate O Poderoso Chefão ゴッドファーザー 대부 教父

🏆 3 award wins · 1 nomination — Won Best Picture, Academy Awards 1973

Where to watch

  • Prime Video
  • Paramount+
  • MGM+

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home, Spectrum On Demand

Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home

Where to watch The Godfather by country

Country Streaming on
India Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar
Japan Hulu, U-NEXT
Pakistan Netflix
South Korea Netflix
Turkey TV+
United Arab Emirates Netflix, Shahid
United Kingdom Paramount+
United States Prime Video, Paramount+, MGM+

Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.

Why this score?

  • Celluloid's editorial rating is exceptional (98/100).
  • Audiences widely enjoyed it (98%).
  • Metascore signals universal acclaim (100/100).
  • Letterboxd diarists rate it highly (4.5/5).
  • IMDb users score it 9.2/10.

Best for

  • Viewers who want a well-regarded crime, drama pick
  • Epic-length viewers who want a big-screen experience

Not ideal for

    Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy

    Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.

    Is The Godfather worth watching?

    Yes — The Godfather earns a 95% Celluloid Score. That makes it a Celluloid Pick, our highest tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded crime, drama pick. Read our full review (5/5).

    Celluloid verdict

    An offer you cannot refuse — Francis Ford Coppola's saga remains the definitive American crime epic.

    , Founder & Editor

    Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.

    What is The Godfather about?

    The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son Michael Corleone in 1940s New York.

    Watch the Trailer

    Critic Reviews

    Short review 4 min read English The Godfather

    The Godfather (1972) Review: Power Handed Down in the Dark

    The Godfather is Francis Ford Coppola's mafia epic about a family business and a son's slow corruption, and more than five decades on it remains the crime film to beat.

    Yes, without qualification. It is the defining American crime film and rewards first-timers and rewatchers alike; set aside three hours and give it your full attention.

    The Godfather stills

    Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.

    The Godfather production still 1
    The Godfather production still 2
    The Godfather production still 3
    The Godfather production still 4
    The Godfather production still 5
    The Godfather production still 6

    Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.

    Reader takes

    No reader takes published yet. Send yours and we may publish it after editing.

    The Godfather: frequently asked questions

    Is The Godfather worth watching?

    Yes. The Godfather (1972) has a Celluloid Score of 95%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That is a Celluloid Pick, our highest tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.

    Where can I watch The Godfather?

    In the United States, The Godfather streams on Prime Video, Paramount+, MGM+ with a subscription, and you can rent it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube. Elsewhere: Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar in India; Hulu, U-NEXT in Japan; Netflix in Pakistan; Netflix in South Korea. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.

    How long is The Godfather?

    The Godfather runs 2 hours 55 minutes (175 minutes).

    What is The Godfather rated?

    The Godfather is rated R in the United States, 15 in the UK, 17+ in Indonesia, MA 15+ in Australia and R in Canada. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

    Who stars in The Godfather?

    The Godfather is directed by Francis Ford Coppola and stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan.

    What is the Metascore for The Godfather?

    Metacritic's Metascore for The Godfather is 100 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

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