Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

JFK

Play trailer Poster for JFK R 1991 3h 9m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
85% Tomatometer 73 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
This acclaimed Oliver Stone drama presents the investigation into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy led by New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner). When Garrison begins to doubt conventional thinking on the murder, he faces government resistance, and, after the killing of suspected assassin Lee Harvey Oswald (Gary Oldman), he closes the case. Later, however, Garrison reopens the investigation, finding evidence of an extensive conspiracy behind Kennedy's death.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

JFK

JFK

What to Know

Critics Consensus

As history, Oliver Stone's JFK is dubious, but as filmmaking it's electric, cramming a ton of information and excitement into its three-hour runtime and making great use of its outstanding cast.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Steve Murray Atlanta Journal-Constitution Sep 23
Despite flaws and simplicities, "JFK" is a must-see. Go to Full Review
Adam Nayman The Ringer 03/27/2020
One of the most frenetically edited studio movies ever made, JFK is a paradox, a movie of unstoppable velocity that seems to drag on forever. Go to Full Review
Duane Byrge The Hollywood Reporter 12/20/2016
While Stone has certainly stirred up the waters, with good conscience and, in JFK's own parlance, "with vigah," most people are likely to regard JFK as BS. Go to Full Review
Dan DiNicola The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY) 1d
5/5
It's propaganda all right, but it challenges, entertains and shocks us out of our complacency. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Nov 3
3.5/4
JFK is an often extraordinary movie, not only in its technical prowess but also in the way Stone is able to combine historical facts with his own flights of fancy to create a motion picture that convincingly portrays a country at war with itself. Go to Full Review
Julian Singleton Cinapse Jul 11
Beyond its technical brilliance, JFK compels its audience to question the film’s own position of authority and encourages them to conduct their own relentless investigations, fostering a sense of personal authority and awareness as a result. Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Johannes S 6d Wow, I am absolutely stunned! What an unbelievable rabbit hole this movie is! See more Chad H. @ASOIrishWoody Dec 5 Watching JFK is like going to a history class taught by a professor who drank six Red Bulls, hasn’t slept in three days, and is using a corkboard covered in yarn to explain everything. It’s fast, it’s chaotic, and by the end you’re convinced your neighbor’s dog might’ve been involved in the assassination. The Star of the Show: Kevin Costner as Jim Garrison: A district attorney who looks like he hasn’t relaxed once since 1958. He spends three hours pointing at charts, files, photographs, and anyone within arm’s reach yelling, “WAKE UP SHEEPLE!” His entire vibe is: “I don’t need proof, I need MORE PROOF.” The Movie in a Nutshell: Oliver Stone takes every known JFK conspiracy theory, throws them into a blender, adds a dash of dramatic music, and pours out a film that makes you question reality, sanity, and whether time is even real. Plot Summary (the short version): Kennedy gets assassinated. Garrison says, “Nope, that’s too simple.” The government acts shady. Lee Harvey Oswald gets treated like he invented murder. Someone yells “Back and to the left” about 67 times. Everyone smokes indoors. Boom—three hours gone. Characters You’ll Meet: Lee Harvey Oswald: Looks confused the entire time, like he showed up for jury duty and got blamed for something huge. Clay Shaw: A well-dressed man whose hobby appears to be “looking suspicious at all times.” The Shadowy Government Guys: Their job is to stand in corners, whisper things, and appear guilty even when just breathing. Historical Accuracy: Somewhere between: “We did research,” and “We made this spicy for entertainment.” Best Scene: When Garrison gives a courtroom speech so long I had time to check the weather, send three texts, and do a light stretch. Takeaways After Watching: The government is shady. Texas is windy. Never trust a man holding an umbrella on a sunny day. If Kevin Costner ever gives you a lecture, bring snacks. Final Thoughts: JFK is a bold, dramatic, slightly unhinged cinematic roller coaster that leaves you entertained, suspicious, and Googling things at 2 a.m. just to feel safe again. See more andras gaspar p Nov 16 This is my favourite movie. See more Geo3 F Nov 9 This is a pretty good movie. It almost feels like a documentary for the runtime. That’s probably the only downside aside from it’s a really good movie. I really enjoyed it. Need an intermission between it due to his time length but overall a good experience. See more Marcus P Oct 17 JFK remains a film that starts conversations after viewing. The film opens up a Pandoras box that up until that time had not been done in an effective manner. While it only concentrates on one conspiracy theory, it leaves its audience wanting more. See more Gregory S Oct 8 I think this one of the greatest casted movies of all time, no doubt. Whether you believe the conspiracy theories or not, it is a fascinating movie. Plus, Jim Garrison thought the movie was pretty spot on. So, who knows. See more Read all reviews
JFK

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW
Rosewood 87% 83% Rosewood Watchlist Mountains of the Moon 67% 77% Mountains of the Moon Watchlist Schindler's List 98% 97% Schindler's List Watchlist Amistad 78% 79% Amistad Watchlist TRAILER for Amistad My Family/Mi Familia 79% 87% My Family/Mi Familia Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis This acclaimed Oliver Stone drama presents the investigation into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy led by New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner). When Garrison begins to doubt conventional thinking on the murder, he faces government resistance, and, after the killing of suspected assassin Lee Harvey Oswald (Gary Oldman), he closes the case. Later, however, Garrison reopens the investigation, finding evidence of an extensive conspiracy behind Kennedy's death.
Director
Oliver Stone
Producer
A. Kitman Ho, Oliver Stone
Screenwriter
Jim Marrs, Jim Garrison, Oliver Stone
Distributor
Warner Home Vídeo, Warner Bros.
Production Co
Ixtlan Corporation, Alcor Films, Camelot Pictures, Warner Brothers, Regency Enterprises
Rating
R
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 20, 1991, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 26, 2008
Runtime
3h 9m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, Surround
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1), Academy (1.33:1), 35mm, Flat (1.37:1)
Most Popular at Home Now