The Sting

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The Sting

PG

1973

2h 9m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

109 Reviews

95%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Following the murder of a mutual friend, aspiring con man Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford) teams up with old pro Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman) to take revenge on the ruthless crime boss responsible, Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw). Hooker and Gondorff set about implementing an elaborate scheme, one so crafty that Lonnegan won't even know he's been swindled. As their big con unfolds, however, things don't go according to plan, requiring some last-minute improvisation by the undaunted duo.

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Critics Consensus

Paul Newman, Robert Redford, and director George Roy Hill prove that charm, humor, and a few slick twists can add up to a great film.

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Richard Roeper

Chicago Sun-Times

Dec 2, 2023

One of the most enduring and exquisitely crafted blockbusters of all time.

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Andrew Sarris

Village Voice

Aug 8, 2022

Pure popcorn like this is hardly worthy of serious analysis... Fortunately, the stars have not lost their charm and authority.

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Judith Crist

New York Magazine/Vulture

Aug 8, 2022

It's a joy to look at and has that rarest of present-day ingredients, Hill's hallmark -- taste. What glitters here is pure movie gold.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Jun 21, 2026

3/4

...an overlong yet mostly engaging effort that benefits from its lighthearted, surprising narrative and raft of above-average performances...

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Sean Burns

Crooked Marquee

Jan 16, 2026

‘The Sting’ is both a grift and a great escape. It makes you nostalgic for something that never was.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 3, 2025

4/4

Pure pleasure.

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Ericka R

Jul 20, 2023

I love that I had the opportunity to see it on the big screen again. The first movie I saw in a theater that I remember. I was too young to understand most of it, I was 3, but I loved it all the same. Such a marvelous ensemble of stelar craftsmen. My mom suggested we get the soundtrack. I already have it for her. We were over joyed.

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Jed M

@Jed76 3 days ago

This is an American classic.

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Janav S

@TheCoolJ92781 5 days ago

One of the greatest movies I have ever seen and the absolute magnum opus of the Redford/Newman collaboration. The acting, narrative, storytelling made it a great cinematic watch, and you can just feel it that you'll know it be a good movie. BRILLIANT!!!

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Joe G

@RT32916965 Jul 25, 2026

Timeless, entertaining, amusing and great dialogue. Miss these type of movies and movies from the 50’s , 60’s, and 70’s . Wife’s favorite 🍿. No special effects, action, just lives on by the plot and actor performances.

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Andrei U

@RT90280993 Jul 17, 2026

Two megastars at the peak of their '70s fame, a plot that cons the audience almost as often as its characters, a lovingly recreated 1930s, and enough felonies to keep several prosecutors employed for life. What more could you ask for?

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nick S

@Nick_S Jun 20, 2026

I thought the story was slightly overcooked but that doesn't take away from it's greatness. Set design, acting and directing were all incredible.

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George Roy Hill

Director

Paul Newman

Henry Gondorff

Robert Redford

Johnny Hooker

Robert Shaw

Doyle Lonnegan

Charles Durning

Lt. William Snyder

Ray Walston

J.J. Singleton

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Synopsis

Following the murder of a mutual friend, aspiring con man Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford) teams up with old pro Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman) to take revenge on the ruthless crime boss responsible, Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw). Hooker and Gondorff set about implementing an elaborate scheme, one so crafty that Lonnegan won't even know he's been swindled. As their big con unfolds, however, things don't go according to plan, requiring some last-minute improvisation by the undaunted duo.

Director: George Roy Hill
Producer: Tony Bill, Julia Phillips, Michael Phillips
Screenwriter: David S. Ward
Distributor: Universal Home Entertainment, MCA/Universal Home Video, Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 1973, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 8, 2015
Runtime: 2h 9m

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