Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

Cape Fear

R Released Nov 13, 1991 2h 8m Mystery & Thriller List
75% Tomatometer 57 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
When attorney Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte) knowingly withholds evidence that would acquit violent sex offender Max Cady (Robert De Niro) of rape charges, Max spends 14 years in prison. But after Max's release, knowing about Sam's deceit, he devotes his life to stalking and destroying the Bowden family. When practical attempts to stop Max fail, Sam realizes that he must act outside the law to protect his wife and daughter in Martin Scorsese's remake of the classic 1962 thriller.
Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

Where to Watch

Cape Fear

Cape Fear

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Smart and stylish, Cape Fear is a gleefully mainstream shocker from Martin Scorsese, with a terrifying Robert De Niro performance.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (57) Critics Reviews
Wendy Ide Times (UK) Yet the grubby story is elevated by a superior cast in both the original and this grimly bloodthirsty remake. Aug 14, 2023 Full Review Victoria Luxford BBC.com (De Niro) had played a tough guy before, but never quite like this: a very sinister, very jagged, very dangerous character… put that together with Martin Scorsese at possibly the peak of his powers, and it’s a delightful if slightly scary film. May 6, 2022 Full Review Adam Nayman The Ringer Martin Scorsese wasn't supposed to remake the 1962 thriller, but when he did, he brought along his longtime muse and infused the story with an overwhelming amount of trademark chaos... Nov 20, 2021 Full Review Terry Francis Southern Voice (Atlanta) The picture's missteps are more than numerous. Rated: 2.5/4 May 8, 2023 Full Review Peter Keough Boston Phoenix Ever shot reminds you that a consummate artist is having a great time remaking a kinky minor classic. Apr 21, 2023 Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Everything is relatively dirty, and no one is truly good, except for this film, it's phenomenal. [Full review in Spanish] Jan 4, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1000+) audience reviews
John M I watched this movie in 1991-92 and I remember I was not very impressed. Today I tried watching it again ... way way worse. Some movies have staying power. This is not one of those. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 09/14/24 Full Review NiB Y The original is still on my watchlist and i'm sure it's great, but i think it will be hard to top this. This was one of the most thrilling and anxiety inducing movies i ever seen, specially thanks to DeNiro's IMMACULATE performance. If it was not The Silence of The Lambs coming out on the same year, you can bet he would've won the Oscar. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/06/24 Full Review Zackary T Lest you forget how flipping brilliant Robert De Niro is when he's got a role he can spread his wings in. Here ya go. A psychotic irredeemable sociopath and all tatted up and shredded. Brilliant performance and completely captivating. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/31/24 Full Review Sérgio M Um thriller poderoso,do melhor que já assisti Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/29/24 Full Review Kevin J Great flick! Ol’ Bob gives a chilling performance in this thrilling remake. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/09/24 Full Review Olson K Watched on 5/27/2024 Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/28/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Cape Fear

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Cape Fear

Cape Fear: Official Clip - Cady Kills Kersek Cape Fear: Official Clip - Cady Kills Kersek 2:43 Cape Fear: Official Clip - More Than Human Cape Fear: Official Clip - More Than Human 2:34 Cape Fear: Official Clip - Cady Drowns Cape Fear: Official Clip - Cady Drowns 2:22 Cape Fear: Official Clip - Leigh Offers Herself Cape Fear: Official Clip - Leigh Offers Herself 2:17 Cape Fear: Official Clip - Sucking Cady's Thumb Cape Fear: Official Clip - Sucking Cady's Thumb 2:58 Cape Fear: Official Clip - Strip Search Cape Fear: Official Clip - Strip Search 2:35 Cape Fear: Official Clip - Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are Cape Fear: Official Clip - Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are 2:58 Cape Fear: Official Clip - The People vs. Samuel Bowden Cape Fear: Official Clip - The People vs. Samuel Bowden 3:03 Cape Fear: Official Clip - Cady's Release Cape Fear: Official Clip - Cady's Release 1:18 Cape Fear: Official Clip - Smoking and Cackling Cape Fear: Official Clip - Smoking and Cackling 2:23 View more videos
A Kiss Before Dying 36% 32% A Kiss Before Dying The Trigger Effect 73% 44% The Trigger Effect Fear 46% 63% Fear Everybody Wins 13% 35% Everybody Wins Thunderheart 90% 75% Thunderheart Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis When attorney Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte) knowingly withholds evidence that would acquit violent sex offender Max Cady (Robert De Niro) of rape charges, Max spends 14 years in prison. But after Max's release, knowing about Sam's deceit, he devotes his life to stalking and destroying the Bowden family. When practical attempts to stop Max fail, Sam realizes that he must act outside the law to protect his wife and daughter in Martin Scorsese's remake of the classic 1962 thriller.
Director
Martin Scorsese
Producer
Robert De Niro, Barbara De Fina
Screenwriter
John D. MacDonald, James R. Webb, Wesley Strick
Distributor
Universal Pictures, MCA/Universal Pictures [us], Universal Home Entertainment
Production Co
Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, Tribeca Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 13, 1991, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$76.4M
Runtime
2h 8m
Sound Mix
Surround
Most Popular at Home Now