The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming!

Play trailer

The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming!

Released May 25, 1966

2h 6m

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

23 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

When a Soviet submarine gets stuck on a sandbar off the coast of a New England island, its commander (Theodore Bikel) orders his second-in-command, Lieutenant Rozanov (Alan Arkin), to get them moving again before there is an international incident. Rozanov seeks assistance from the island locals, including the police chief (Brian Keith) and a vacationing television writer (Carl Reiner), while trying to allay their fears of a Communist invasion by claiming he and his crew are Norwegian sailors.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Variety Staff

Variety

Arkin, in his film bow, is absolutely outstanding as the courtly Russian who kisses a lady's hand even as he draws a gun.

Aug 8, 2008

Full Review

Empire Magazine

Sweet and charmingly funny in many places, this is dated but entertaining.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 30, 2006

Full Review

Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Fabulously funny!

Rated: 4/5

Jun 19, 2003

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

From the same school of wacky, overblown, sixties comedies as It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World and The Great Race comes this wacky, overblown, sixties comedy whose greatest asset is Alan Arkin in his memorable, Oscar-nominated film debut.

Rated: 2.5/4

Feb 10, 2024

Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! addresses serious themes in a farcical manner and gets a breakout performance from Alan Arkin in the process.

Rated: 4.5/5

Jan 18, 2024

Full Review

Wendy Michener

Maclean's Magazine

The Russians Are Coming is not the best comedy of the year but it stands out in a lean period for good old American slapstick.

Jun 27, 2019

Full Review

Read all reviews

Kem S

As someone who grew up in a small town in the late 50's/early 60's I can vouch for the accuracy of this tale. A little exaggerated, perhaps, but not much!! I knew all these people personally, just the locale and names have changed.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/30/25

Full Review

alan g

A very touching action comedy of errors. Great acting and a happy ending. A movie about coexistence during the height of the cold war.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/24/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Emiiiirgency! Everybody to get from Street!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/28/24

Full Review

Alan g

A very funny take on the cold war. Emsemble cast meshes well. Happy ending.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/02/24

Full Review

Shawndell J

If you wanted to forecast the eventual decline of Hollywood. Its this kind of drivel that was produced in the 60's. I would rather watch Barbarella.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/22/24

Full Review

Larry K

A fun movie. Just what you would expect from this era

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/21/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Norman Jewison

Director

Carl Reiner

Walt Whittaker

Eva Marie Saint

Elspeth Whittaker

Alan Arkin

Lt. Rozanov

Brian Keith

Police Chief Link Mattocks

Jonathan Winters

Officer Norman Jones

The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming!: Official Clip - Trust the Enemy

1:42

The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming!: Official Clip - Finding the Keys

2:28

The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming!: Official Clip - Down the Stairs

2:48

The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming!: Official Clip - Arnold Benedict

2:25

The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming!: Official Clip - The Militia Forms

2:19

The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming!: Official Clip - Hanging Around

1:07

The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming!: Official Clip - Under Arrest

2:32

The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming!: Official Clip - The "Norwegians"

2:57

The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming!: Official Clip - We've Got to Get Organized

1:00

The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming!: Official Clip - Nothing Personal

2:36

View more videos

What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?

50%

65%

What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?

Watchlist

Avanti!

79%

76%

Avanti!

Watchlist

Walk, Don't Run

83%

70%

Walk, Don't Run

Watchlist

The Loved One

47%

76%

The Loved One

Watchlist

After the Fox

78%

63%

After the Fox

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

When a Soviet submarine gets stuck on a sandbar off the coast of a New England island, its commander (Theodore Bikel) orders his second-in-command, Lieutenant Rozanov (Alan Arkin), to get them moving again before there is an international incident. Rozanov seeks assistance from the island locals, including the police chief (Brian Keith) and a vacationing television writer (Carl Reiner), while trying to allay their fears of a Communist invasion by claiming he and his crew are Norwegian sailors.

Director: Norman Jewison
Producer: Norman Jewison, Walter Mirisch
Screenwriter: Nathaniel Benchley, William Rose
Distributor: United Artists, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: The Mirisch Corporation [us]
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 25, 1966, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Runtime: 2h 6m

Most Popular at Home Now