Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

Fargo

Play trailer Poster for Fargo R Released Mar 15, 1996 1h 37m Comedy Crime Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
95% Tomatometer 111 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
"Fargo" is a reality-based crime drama set in Minnesota in 1987. Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy) is a car salesman in Minneapolis who has gotten himself into debt and is so desperate for money that he hires two thugs (Steve Buscemi), (Peter Stormare) to kidnap his own wife. Jerry will collect the ransom from her wealthy father (Harve Presnell), paying the thugs a small portion and keeping the rest to satisfy his debts. The scheme collapses when the thugs shoot a state trooper.
Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

Where to Watch

Fargo

Fargo

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Violent, quirky, and darkly funny, Fargo delivers an original crime story and a wonderful performance by McDormand.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (111) Critics Reviews
Kevin Maher Times (UK) The North Dakota setting is icily evocative, the supporting characters perfectly pitched (remember Marge's old flame Mike Yanagita?), while the air of sadness that blankets the film like snow adds genuine profundity. Rated: 5/5 Jun 14, 2021 Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian Its brilliance [lies] in making the forces of law and order look as interesting and funny as the bad guys. Rated: 5/5 Jun 10, 2021 Full Review Danny Leigh Financial Times McDormand aside, the secret might be the perfect pitch of the black comedy, the two elements in rare harmony. Rated: 5/5 Jun 9, 2021 Full Review Fico Cangiano CineXpress Podcast A memorable black comedy that, without a doubt, stands out as one of the best within the Coen brothers' impressive filmography. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 4/5 Mar 27, 2025 Full Review Tom Ryan The Sunday Age Immaculately plotted, beautifully written and superbly shot by British cinematography Roger Deakins, a longtime Coen collaborator, Fargo is a treasure. Rated: 4/4 Jul 16, 2024 Full Review Sarah Cortinaz InSession Film Fargo begins with a thunderous orchestral score by Carter Burwell as it beckons the audience towards the tragic events that are about to unfold. Rated: A+ Apr 23, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1000+) audience reviews
J H My favorite Coen Brothers movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/06/25 Full Review tim s Fargo is a deceptively comical take on crime stories. The catalyst, Jerry Lundegaard, is a walking nightmare. The bleak setting serves as the perfect backdrop for the tragedies that unfold. The Coen Brothers have crafted a modern classic filled with unforgettable characters. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/24/25 Full Review HameZz O It was pretty good. I was expecting a lot from this as it's considered a classic and after watching it I felt somewhat disappointed. The movie wasn't bad at all I think I just expected more. But the more I thought about it the more I liked the movie. I see why it's considered a classic. The acting and message was delivered very well. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/18/25 Full Review Paul S This is probably my favorite crime movie of all time. It had a compelling story and was unintentionally funny at all of the right moments. I definitely recommend it for crime and drama fans! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/12/25 Full Review Trina W Could this cast be any better? I don't know why I waited so long to watch this. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/06/25 Full Review Frans B It does carry the Coen stamp, which is always good. Whole cast excels in character, cinematography is surreal, could not have picked a better location than North Dakota. Exceptional writing ties it all up nicely. Weird, absurd sometimes, funny and enough twists and turns. Masterpiece of a movie. Highly recommended Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/02/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Fargo

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Fargo

Fargo: Official Clip - Pancakes Fargo: Official Clip - Pancakes 0:55 Fargo: Official Clip - Whoa, Daddy Fargo: Official Clip - Whoa, Daddy 3:41 Fargo: Official Clip - A Little Bit of Money Fargo: Official Clip - A Little Bit of Money 2:01 Fargo: Official Clip - Fake Phone Call Fargo: Official Clip - Fake Phone Call 1:29 Fargo: Official Clip - Lundegaard's Dealership Fargo: Official Clip - Lundegaard's Dealership 1:54 Fargo: Official Clip - Carl and the Parking Attendant Fargo: Official Clip - Carl and the Parking Attendant 1:04 Fargo: Official Clip - Officer Lou's Police Work Fargo: Official Clip - Officer Lou's Police Work 1:40 Fargo: Official Clip - The Wood Chipper Fargo: Official Clip - The Wood Chipper 1:55 Fargo: Official Clip - A Finder's Fee Fargo: Official Clip - A Finder's Fee 3:31 Fargo: Official Clip - Morning Sickness Fargo: Official Clip - Morning Sickness 2:09 View more videos
Suicide Kings 35% 74% Suicide Kings Watchlist Devil in a Blue Dress 92% 71% Devil in a Blue Dress Watchlist The Negotiator 74% 79% The Negotiator Watchlist Cop Land 75% 67% Cop Land Watchlist Jackie Brown 88% 85% Jackie Brown Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis "Fargo" is a reality-based crime drama set in Minnesota in 1987. Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy) is a car salesman in Minneapolis who has gotten himself into debt and is so desperate for money that he hires two thugs (Steve Buscemi), (Peter Stormare) to kidnap his own wife. Jerry will collect the ransom from her wealthy father (Harve Presnell), paying the thugs a small portion and keeping the rest to satisfy his debts. The scheme collapses when the thugs shoot a state trooper.
Director
Joel Coen
Producer
Ethan Coen
Screenwriter
Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Distributor
Gramercy Pictures
Production Co
Gramercy Pictures, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Rating
R (Sexuality|Language|Strong Violence)
Genre
Comedy, Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 15, 1996, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 27, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$24.5M
Runtime
1h 37m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Dolby A, Stereo, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
Most Popular at Home Now