Rollerball

Play trailer

Rollerball

R

Released Jan 1, 1975

2h 8m

Sci-Fi

Action

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

68%

Tomatometer

38 Reviews

62%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

The year is 2018 in a futuristic society where corporations have replaced countries. A violent futuristic game known as Rollerball is the recreational sport of the world, with teams representing various areas. One player, Jonathan E., fights for his personal freedom and threatens the corporate control.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

In Rollerball, social commentary collides with high-speed action -- and the audience is the winner.

Read Critics Reviews

Eric Hynes

Rolling Stone

Jewison's extreme-sports future shock bundles together a paranoid political thriller, a McLuhan-drunk media satire, ultraviolent exploitation, reverent respect for faddish athletic pursuits and enough zoom shots to make Robert Altman blush.

May 30, 2018

Full Review

Jay Cocks

TIME Magazine

James Caan, on roller skates, is trying to save the world. This needs a bit of explaining, which is only the beginning of the trouble with Rollerball.

Aug 4, 2008

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Norman Jewison's sensational futuristic drama about a world of Corporate States stars James Caan in an excellent performance as a famed athlete who fights for his identity and free will.

Aug 4, 2008

Full Review

Brian Orndorf

Blu-ray.com

Jewison provides passionate leadership with this Kubrick-ian take on a strange dystopia, generating an intriguing sense of intimidation and frustration as he carefully realizes a mental breakthrough.

Rated: B+

Mar 12, 2025

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Rollerball released as a thrilling future shock yet to this day it maintains a sharp contemporary bite. It’s highlighted with slick production values and brimming with astute social commentary. And its all accented by a touch of violent 70s exploitation.

Rated: 4.5/5

Feb 19, 2025

Full Review

Steve Warren

The Barb (Atlanta)

Rollerball is an okay movie with nothing new to say.

May 9, 2023

Full Review

Read all reviews

Mons G

Great concept stylishly executed but the snail-like pace of the storytelling and undynamic acting make this frustrating viewing.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/14/25

Full Review

darren l

Great movie surreal feeling through out especially the magnificent classical sound track that makes you soar think and be strong luxury lifestyle is a illusion of control the main character Jonathan e fights against this with what he is good at the brutal sport of rollerball unique film and great action 1970s films a slower pace which is a lot better than modern films which a to quick and over the top rollerball 1975 great film highly recommended

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/13/25

Full Review

Antony Y

I love the film. I'm actually wearing a Jonathan 6 T shirt at the moment, BUT I love the film probably like most others. Love the game aspect, not a clue about the rest of it. I've been asked how to describe it. Countries don't exist. Corporations do. The corporation are trying to retire Jonathan as the crowd support him and not the team. (I think) The Rollerball game itself is an ultra violent version or Roller Derby. It's at least worth 1 watch.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/05/25

Full Review

Ray A

This movie introduced me to toccata and fugue in d minor. Whenever I hear it, its haunting opening, it reminds me of the haunting ending of this movie. For those who liked the The Circle or The Every, you will find some familarity. Shout out to Roller Derby skaters who were more than extras in this movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/24/24

Full Review

Randolph G

An absolute masterpiece of prophetic Sci Fi. Set in a future where Corporations give the masses everything they could possibly want and exercise total control. Sound familiar? Houseman is chilling and Caan is outstanding and the Jock the corporate men totally underestimate.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/07/24

Full Review

Sharon R

I know it is set in the 1970’s but the storyline is timeless. It predicts things we see and have today. Hopefully it does not predict what is to come. The movie uses a very violent game as a means of entertainment for the masses much like the lions were used in the Roman colosseums. The loss of individuality is the main character’s battle both internally and socially. He’s not willing to go quietly and he, like most people, just wants the truth. He becomes iconic and an inspiration but not by intentional design. My gut wrenching moment is when they go after his teammate which was hard to watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/12/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Norman Jewison

Director

James Caan

Jonathan E.

John Houseman

Bartholomew

Maud Adams

Ella

John Beck

Moonpie

Moses Gunn

Cletus

The Running Man

67%

61%

The Running Man

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Running Man

RoboCop

92%

84%

RoboCop

Watchlist

Total Recall

82%

79%

Total Recall

Watchlist

Tank Girl

45%

62%

Tank Girl

Watchlist

Demolition Man

64%

67%

Demolition Man

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

The year is 2018 in a futuristic society where corporations have replaced countries. A violent futuristic game known as Rollerball is the recreational sport of the world, with teams representing various areas. One player, Jonathan E., fights for his personal freedom and threatens the corporate control.

Director: Norman Jewison
Producer: Norman Jewison
Screenwriter: William Harrison, William Harrison
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: Algonquin, United Artists
Rating: R
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 1, 1975, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Runtime: 2h 8m
Sound Mix: Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Most Popular at Home Now