Rebel Without a Cause

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Rebel Without a Cause

PG-13

1955

1h 51m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

85 Reviews

87%

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.

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Critics Consensus

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

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Philip K. Scheuer

Los Angeles Times

The picture is one of intermittent violence, senseless yet instinctive and sometimes sickening to witness, but at the same time revealing of a kind of sad innocence, a yearning toward "belonging," that in one passage takes on an almost poetic quality.

Oct 25, 2025

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Marjory Adams

Boston Globe

Unfortunately the story is just as confused as the character, with the result that the Warner Brothers film is astounding without being at all convincing; shocking without making you believe it's true for an instant.

Oct 24, 2025

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Jason Bailey

Crooked Marquee

Rebel Without a Cause is, for much of its running time, of its moment, but it captures that moment with a grace and vulnerability that must’ve been astonishing for its original audiences.

Oct 23, 2025

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P.S. Harrison

Harrison's Reports

An unpleasant but visually gripping juvenile delinquency melodrama...

Oct 24, 2025

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Harold V. Cohen

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Rebel Without a Cause" isn't just an aggressively irritating movie of excessive exaggerations, it's also a disservice to those who are trying to face up to the juvenile delinquency problem.

Oct 24, 2025

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Ian Simmons

Kicking the Seat

It's a really bold movie. But, beyond messaging and symbolism, it works as a really big dramatic piece.

Oct 23, 2025

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Skrillahz

Finally saw them. Dean is still an enigma to me.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/06/25

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Joseph V

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/05/22

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Anthony L

an absolute classic that I adore

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/06/21

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Kyle M

A structurally influential classic that subsequentially weighs formulaically through the coming-of-age genre, with this being signified over the palpable angst in increased gravitas pondering over how the cautious reality tragically shatters. Most films of the very genre that followed plays it off as intense fun in seeking thrills, but this feels comparably raw while also took a step further in insightfully demonstrative honesty displaying a comforting reminder. Irrational but thoughtful with excelled deliverance over its subject matter, bolstered by James Dean’s performative testament that gives a haunting sense. (B+)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/22/25

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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

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Garrett B

An unforgettable performance from the late James Dean.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/03/25

Full Review

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Nicholas Ray

Director

James Dean

Jim Stark

Natalie Wood

Judy

Sal Mineo

John "Plato" Crawford

Jim Backus

Frank Stark

Ann Doran

Mrs. Stark

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

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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

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