Modern Times

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Modern Times

G

Released Feb 5, 1936

1h 29m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

98%

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113 Reviews

95%

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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.

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Critics Consensus

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

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Ella H. McCormick

Detroit Free Press

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.

May 6, 2021

Full Review

Mildred Martin

Philadelphia Inquirer

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.

May 6, 2021

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Mae Tinee

Chicago Tribune

What most amazes you about Modern Times, is the fact that, in this day of superfine sound films, it says everything without saying anything.

May 6, 2021

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Julian Singleton

Cinapse

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.

Jul 12, 2025

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Jeremy Carr

Vague Visages

Emblematic of a ‘Hollywood realism,’ with a rather immaculate industrial setting, strategically tattered clothing and deliberately designed destitution.

Nov 15, 2023

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

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.

Jun 11, 2023

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Ali Stevenson

I love Modern Times so much I came back for the second showing! See my earlier post.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/20/21

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Marta B

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/04/25

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Marce S

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/13/25

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Enrico P

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/13/25

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Esther D

La vi por primera vez en el año 2014 y siempre que he podido se la he hecho ver a mi familia y conocidos, niños y grandes. ¿Resultado? ... todos la han disfrutado. Un humor ocurrente que no deja ningún recurso de lado con un toque de crudeza de una realidad que sigue entre nosotros. Grande Chaplin!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/10/25

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Paul L

A complete delight. Not only ahead of its time but every single loony tune and Disney cartoon owes something to to Chaplin. Even though 90 years old its still topical.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/06/25

Full Review

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Charlie Chaplin

Director

Charlie Chaplin

A Factory Worker

Paulette Goddard

A Gamin

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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)

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