Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Modern Times

Play trailer Poster for Modern Times G 1936 1h 29m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
98% Tomatometer 113 Reviews 95% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
This comedic masterpiece finds the iconic Little Tramp (Charlie Chaplin) employed at a state-of-the-art factory where the inescapable machinery completely overwhelms him, and where various mishaps keep getting him sent to prison. In between his various jail stints, he meets and befriends an orphan girl (Paulette Goddard). Both together and apart, they try to contend with the difficulties of modern life, with the Tramp working as a waiter and eventually a performer.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

Modern Times

Modern Times

What to Know

Critics Consensus

A slapstick skewering of industrialized America, Modern Times is as politically incisive as it is laugh-out-loud hilarious.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Ella H. McCormick Detroit Free Press 05/06/2021
Several high spots stand out as notable examples of Chaplin's expert timing of slapstick burlesque, scenes that are apt to make the spectator shed tears from the strain of laughter. Go to Full Review Mildred Martin Philadelphia Inquirer 05/06/2021
There are reminders of every Chaplin picture that was ever made all through Modern Times and there are enough brand new comic inventions to explain why Charlie takes such a long time between pictures and why they are so superlatively worth waiting for. Go to Full Review Mae Tinee Chicago Tribune 05/06/2021
What most amazes you about Modern Times, is the fact that, in this day of superfine sound films, it says everything without saying anything. Go to Full Review Julian Singleton Cinapse Jul 12
With Modern Times’ wondrous balancing act of comedy, tragedy, sound, and silence, Chaplin proves himself to be as skillful of an artist behind the camera as he is in front of it. Go to Full Review Jeremy Carr Vague Visages 11/15/2023
Emblematic of a ‘Hollywood realism,’ with a rather immaculate industrial setting, strategically tattered clothing and deliberately designed destitution. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand 06/11/2023
The surreal scene of Chaplin being wound through the gears of the factory machinery remains one of the most iconic images in film history: the little guy who manages not to get ground up in the machine. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Ali Stevenson 06/20/2021 I love Modern Times so much I came back for the second showing! See my earlier post. See more Pedro S @Salazar26ty 5d This film is not my cup of coffee, but it does tackle some serious problems of its era. See more Mike G. @gojira1019 Oct 28 This is a masterpiece. Charlie Chaplin not only completely shows the sadness of the times visually, but creates a comedy that will make you laugh nonstop. Every frame of this film is necessary, and “Modern Times” is a without a doubt one of my favorite films of all time. If you want a classic for the whole family, this is the movie. See more Marta B Oct 3 This film did an amazing job at representing the struggles of average citizens in 1930s America in a comedic and relatable way. The whole film had a message that everything will be alright, leaving audiences feeling more hopeful. See more Marce S Sep 13 Immensly rewatchable. For enterainment value it is very funny, even for people who do not like silent films and for a significance value it is very good since it captures the shift from old times to what we now call modern times. See more Enrico P Sep 13 Absolutely one of cinema's greatest masterpieces from one of its greatest talents. I cry laughing at so many moments in this film. Chaplin wrote, directed, starred, composed the music, edited the film - and it's all brilliant. See more Read all reviews
Modern Times

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

View All

Charlie Chaplin

Director

Charlie Chaplin

A Factory Worker

Paulette Goddard

A Gamin

Henry Bergman

Care Proprietor

Tiny Sandford

Big Bill

Chester Conklin

Mechanic

More Like This

View All
The Great Dictator 92% 95% The Great Dictator Watchlist TRAILER for The Great Dictator The Circus 97% 94% The Circus Watchlist Animal Crackers 97% 88% Animal Crackers Watchlist The Sin of Harold Diddlebock 89% 57% The Sin of Harold Diddlebock Watchlist City Lights 95% 95% City Lights Watchlist TRAILER for City Lights Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All

Modern Times

Modern Times (1936) Modern Times (1936) Modern Times (1936) Modern Times (1936) Modern Times (1936) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis This comedic masterpiece finds the iconic Little Tramp (Charlie Chaplin) employed at a state-of-the-art factory where the inescapable machinery completely overwhelms him, and where various mishaps keep getting him sent to prison. In between his various jail stints, he meets and befriends an orphan girl (Paulette Goddard). Both together and apart, they try to contend with the difficulties of modern life, with the Tramp working as a waiter and eventually a performer.
Director
Charlie Chaplin
Producer
Charlie Chaplin
Screenwriter
Charlie Chaplin
Distributor
United Artists
Production Co
Charles Chaplin Productions
Rating
G
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 5, 1936, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 22, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$163.2K
Runtime
1h 29m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.37:1)
Most Popular at Home Now