Rebel Without a Cause

Play trailer

0:30

Rebel Without a Cause

PG-13

Released Oct 27, 1955

1h 51m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

60 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

After moving to a new town, troublemaking teen Jim Stark (James Dean) is supposed to have a clean slate, although being the new kid in town brings its own problems. While searching for some stability, Stark forms a bond with a disturbed classmate, Plato (Sal Mineo), and falls for local girl Judy (Natalie Wood). However, Judy is the girlfriend of neighborhood tough, Buzz (Corey Allen). When Buzz violently confronts Jim and challenges him to a drag race, the new kid's real troubles begin.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Rebel Without a Cause is a searing melodrama featuring keen insight into '50s juvenile attitude and James Dean's cool, iconic performance.

Read Critics Reviews

Jack Moffitt

The Hollywood Reporter

It contains some extraordinarily good acting by the late James Dean, Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo. The direction by Nicholas Ray is outstanding... This is a superficial treatment of a vital problem that has been staged brilliantly.

Oct 30, 2018

Full Review

Kate Muir

The Times (UK)

With his slicked-up quiff, turned-up jeans and revved-up attitude, Dean instantly achieved icon status.

Dec 31, 2017

Full Review

Charlotte O'Sullivan

London Evening Standard

Looks and sounds so good it makes your heart thump.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 18, 2014

Full Review

Tom Hutchinson

Radio Times

It's Dean who remains most memorable, and his heartfelt portrayal epitomised his tragically short career.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 30, 2024

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

... the ultimate expression of teen alienation in an adult world of its era.... [James] Dean’s wound-up performances and stumbling delivery perfectly captures the flailing desperation of an adolescent searching for a role model.

Aug 19, 2023

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

A superb study of teen angst that still retains its power despite the number of inferior rip-offs that followed in its wake.

Rated: 4/4

Apr 27, 2023

Full Review

Read all reviews

Joseph V

Never seen this classic till now. Loved it. Thanks Harkins for showing it

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/05/22

Full Review

Anthony L

an absolute classic that I adore

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/06/21

Full Review

Luke S

Hyper-dramatic - ohhhh the angst of being a teenager when no one understands you. It is a twistingly beautiful portrait though of teenage-hood in the mid-50's. There is presumably a lot of Dean in his character in terms of authenticity and genuine-ness. I saw this for the first time at Cine Paris, a rooftop theater in Athens, in the summer. The Greek audience roared with laughter at the end - tensions are wound so high - two teenagers dead, another wounded and then "Mom. Dad. This is Judy." The tension is broke introducing the parents to the new girlfriend. This is Judy - she's accessory to two murders, including her boyfriend. We're in love. Ahhhh hahahahahaha.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/08/25

Full Review

Garrett B

An unforgettable performance from the late James Dean.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/03/25

Full Review

Farah R

My sisters and I found ourselves laughing more watching this movie than any comedy we've ever seen. The melodrmaamtic line deliveries, the overacting, and the outdated story made it difficult to take this so-called classic seriously.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/13/25

Full Review

Tim M

Featuring a legacy-defining performance from James Dean, Rebel Without a Cause is the quintessential treatise on teen angst and 1950s counterculture.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/25/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Nicholas Ray

Director

James Dean

Jim Stark

Natalie Wood

Judy

Sal Mineo

John "Plato" Crawford

Jim Backus

Frank Stark

Ann Doran

Mrs. Stark

Stealing Home

20%

79%

Stealing Home

Watchlist

A Perfect World

78%

84%

A Perfect World

Watchlist

Valley of the Dolls

32%

58%

Valley of the Dolls

Watchlist

The Brotherhood

60%

24%

The Brotherhood

Watchlist

Shame

80%

78%

Shame

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Rebel Without A Cause (1955) Presented by TMC: Fathom Events Trailer

0:30

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

After moving to a new town, troublemaking teen Jim Stark (James Dean) is supposed to have a clean slate, although being the new kid in town brings its own problems. While searching for some stability, Stark forms a bond with a disturbed classmate, Plato (Sal Mineo), and falls for local girl Judy (Natalie Wood). However, Judy is the girlfriend of neighborhood tough, Buzz (Corey Allen). When Buzz violently confronts Jim and challenges him to a drag race, the new kid's real troubles begin.

Director: Nicholas Ray
Producer: David Weisbart
Screenwriter: Nicholas Ray, Irving Shulman, Stewart Stern
Distributor: Warner Home Vídeo, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Brothers
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Elements|Some Violence)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 27, 1955, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 15, 2008
Runtime: 1h 51m

Most Popular at Home Now