Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

A Streetcar Named Desire

Play trailer Poster for A Streetcar Named Desire PG Released Jan 1, 1951 2h 2m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
97% Tomatometer 63 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Based on the play by Tennessee Williams, this renowned drama follows troubled former schoolteacher Blanche DuBois (Vivien Leigh) as she leaves small-town Mississippi and moves in with her sister, Stella Kowalski (Kim Hunter), and her husband, Stanley (Marlon Brando), in New Orleans. Blanche's flirtatious Southern-belle presence causes problems for Stella and Stanley, who already have a volatile relationship, leading to even greater conflict in the Kowalski household.
Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

Where to Watch

A Streetcar Named Desire

A Streetcar Named Desire

What to Know

Critics Consensus

A feverish rendition of a heart-rending story, A Streetcar Named Desire gives Tennessee Williams' stage play explosive power on the screen thanks to Elia Kazan's searing direction and a sterling ensemble at the peak of their craft.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (63)
Ed Potton The Times (UK) Elia Kazan's claustrophobic close-ups do a fine job of recreating the intensity of the stage. Rated: 4/5 Feb 10, 2020 Full Review Bob Thomas Associated Press Some movie goers will be bored by its unlovely subject and wealth of talk, but others will admire it as an excursion into art. Aug 7, 2019 Full Review Pauline Kael The New Yorker Vivien Leigh gives one of those rare performances that can truly be said to evoke pity and terror. Jan 3, 2018 Full Review Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies It’s rough, depressing, and unstarched, but it's so potent because of the characters. They are overflowing with energy and life and it is impossible not to be mesmerized by them despite their dysfunction. Rated: 4.5/5 Aug 19, 2022 Full Review André Bazin Cahiers du Cinéma Its international success doubtless arises mostly from its relative boldness as well as its eroticism. But this work is not without theatrical qualities: authentically dramatic, it also develops a certain poetic atmosphere. Jan 5, 2022 Full Review Matt Neal ABC Radio (Australia) The emotions are dialled up to 11 by the sweltering New Orleans heat and Marlon Brando's physique, which is matched by his titanic performance. Rated: 5/5 Oct 26, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1000+)
Audience Member what an insane movie Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/21/25 Full Review Blu B All Time Classic. Brando & Leigh are electrifying. Especially whenever Brando is on screen he's just commands your attention. I can't even imagine what it must've been like seeing someone like him for the first time in 51'. It still resonates all these years later just as much. The cinematography/direction by Kazan is heavily influenced by Noirs and honestly does it better than the majority of them despite not being one. The understanding of how to use contrast, shadows, and depth of focus is just masterful. Everything is first class here. It's like watching a novel/live play on film with none of the power of the stageplay being lost in translation. Deep complex characters, filled with tons of underlying commentary, symbolism, and incredible performances. It's a first class drama that everyone should give a try once. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/16/25 Full Review Stephen C Success in 2 hours and 2 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/07/25 Full Review Farah R I was shocked by how mediocre this timeless classic was. Despite recognizing a few iconic lines, there was little to enjoy in this dull drama. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 04/12/25 Full Review Leprechaun K Fabulous performances by Brando and Leigh. Great movie. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/11/25 Full Review William B Masterpiece. The best of Marlon Brando in my opinion. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/18/24 Full Review Read all reviews
A Streetcar Named Desire

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW
East of Eden 86% 90% East of Eden Watchlist Casablanca 99% 95% Casablanca Watchlist TRAILER for Casablanca Cool Hand Luke 100% 95% Cool Hand Luke Watchlist All the President's Men 94% 92% All the President's Men Watchlist A Tree Grows in Brooklyn 94% 91% A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Based on the play by Tennessee Williams, this renowned drama follows troubled former schoolteacher Blanche DuBois (Vivien Leigh) as she leaves small-town Mississippi and moves in with her sister, Stella Kowalski (Kim Hunter), and her husband, Stanley (Marlon Brando), in New Orleans. Blanche's flirtatious Southern-belle presence causes problems for Stella and Stanley, who already have a volatile relationship, leading to even greater conflict in the Kowalski household.
Director
Elia Kazan
Producer
Charles K. Feldman
Screenwriter
Oscar Saul, Tennessee Williams, Tennessee Williams
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Warner Brothers
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 1, 1951, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 2, 2013
Runtime
2h 2m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.37:1)
Most Popular at Home Now