Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

12 Angry Men

Play trailer 2:13 Poster for 12 Angry Men Released Apr 20, 1957 1h 35m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
100% Tomatometer 62 Reviews 97% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Following the closing arguments in a murder trial, the 12 members of the jury must deliberate, with a guilty verdict meaning death for the accused, an inner-city teen. As the dozen men try to reach a unanimous decision while sequestered in a room, one juror (Henry Fonda) casts considerable doubt on elements of the case. Personal issues soon rise to the surface, and conflict threatens to derail the delicate process that will decide one boy's fate.
Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

Where to Watch

12 Angry Men

12 Angry Men

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Sidney Lumet's feature debut is a superbly written, dramatically effective courtroom thriller that rightfully stands as a modern classic.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (62)
Edward Kosmal St. Louis Post-Dispatch Sidney Lumet's solid success is achieved without even once resorting to flashbacks or other standard procedures of the film trade. The secret rests in spirited dialogue, realistic setting and, of course, the excellent cast of outstanding character actors. Jan 31, 2023 Full Review Chris Stuckmann ChrisStuckmann.com This movie is a masterpiece. That term gets thrown around a lot -- it's a very easy thing to say about great films like this -- but this movie is one of the best. This is one of the very few films that I will call perfect. Rated: A+ Jan 26, 2018 Full Review Joshua Rothkopf Time Out Too few films take on the art of arguing as a subject; we could certainly use more of them, but until then, Lumet's window into strained civic duty will continue to serve mightily. Rated: 5/5 Jul 3, 2013 Full Review Joshua Stevens Loud and Clear Reviews It’s a classic for a reason, and it’s a film that everyone should see at least once in their life. Rated: 5/5 Jul 8, 2025 Full Review Nadir Samara Screen Rant A film like 12 Angry Men comes around once in a lifetime, and it will remain a blueprint for what a masterpiece looks like.  Rated: 10/10 Nov 11, 2024 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy This arguably remains Sidney Lumet's most compelling work, a sweaty, sustained drama that milks its claustrophobic setting for all it’s worth. Rated: 4/4 May 8, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1000+)
nicolas v I saw this movie recomended on a TikTok. In the beginning i was not going to watch it because i am very bad at watching films, usually it's been very few movies the ones that i find good. This one although, it's just so well done. I thought that because of it being an almost 50 year old movie, it was going to be very slow, very paused and that the excitement was going to take time to arrive. But it wasn't like that in any sort. You're not even 10 minutes onto the film and these men are already discussing and taking the piss on themselves. The film never slows down and it just keeps geting more nerve wracking. It has a great plot, incredible climax, and such a good ending. Movies like this should never die. A classic with all it's letters. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/24/25 Full Review Ray J Fantastic film that has stood the test of time. Each character shows a different personality that brings different views to the same problem. Pacing is perfect and keeps you watching. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/22/25 Full Review Sto C Keeping the viewer engaged for 100 minutes in a film set entirely in a single room is extremely challenging, and a major accomplishment for the director. The acting was outstanding — especially Lee J. Cobb's performance. However, the plot was rather predictable: by the end of the first half hour, it was quite easy to foresee how the rest of the story would unfold. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/18/25 Full Review Christian A This is the very best film ever made! Despite being set in one room for 99% of the film, it'll have you on the edge of your seat. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/16/25 Full Review belajar untuk r Mostly dialog but captivating each voice has its own emotion, the tension is felt physically and psychologically. The cinematography is also ok, simple but effective. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/21/25 Full Review Damian D Top-Tier acting, simply an incredible movie! The only reason I’m not going to give it 5 stars is that I could see how it was going to end after only ~25 minutes. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/09/25 Full Review Read all reviews
12 Angry Men

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

12 Angry Men

12 Angry Men: Official Clip - Re-enactment 12 Angry Men: Official Clip - Re-enactment 3:42 12 Angry Men: Official Clip - These People 12 Angry Men: Official Clip - These People 2:18 12 Angry Men: Official Clip - Not Guilty 12 Angry Men: Official Clip - Not Guilty 3:42 12 Angry Men: Official Clip - A Responsibility 12 Angry Men: Official Clip - A Responsibility 0:59 12 Angry Men: Official Clip - Nose Marks 12 Angry Men: Official Clip - Nose Marks 2:40 12 Angry Men: Official Clip - This Isn't a Game 12 Angry Men: Official Clip - This Isn't a Game 1:30 12 Angry Men: Official Clip - It's the Same Knife! 12 Angry Men: Official Clip - It's the Same Knife! 2:04 12 Angry Men: Official Clip - Kids These Days 12 Angry Men: Official Clip - Kids These Days 2:16 12 Angry Men: Official Clip - Who Changed Their Vote? 12 Angry Men: Official Clip - Who Changed Their Vote? 2:37 12 Angry Men: Official Clip - Down & In 12 Angry Men: Official Clip - Down & In 2:24 View more videos
The Defiant Ones 90% 88% The Defiant Ones Watchlist The Fugitive Kind 59% 63% The Fugitive Kind Watchlist Long Day's Journey Into Night 95% 85% Long Day's Journey Into Night Watchlist The Pawnbroker 88% 87% The Pawnbroker Watchlist The Phenix City Story 100% 74% The Phenix City Story Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Following the closing arguments in a murder trial, the 12 members of the jury must deliberate, with a guilty verdict meaning death for the accused, an inner-city teen. As the dozen men try to reach a unanimous decision while sequestered in a room, one juror (Henry Fonda) casts considerable doubt on elements of the case. Personal issues soon rise to the surface, and conflict threatens to derail the delicate process that will decide one boy's fate.
Director
Sidney Lumet
Producer
Henry Fonda, Reginald Rose
Screenwriter
Reginald Rose
Distributor
Criterion Collection, United Artists, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co
Orion-Nova Pictures
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 20, 1957, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 4, 2012
Runtime
1h 35m
Most Popular at Home Now