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The Founder

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The Founder

PG-13

Released Jan 20, 2017

1h 55m

Biography

History

Drama

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Popcornmeter

80%

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245 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

The true story of how Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton), a struggling salesman from Illinois, met Mac (John Carroll Lynch) and Dick McDonald (Nick Offerman), who were running a burger operation in 1950s Southern California. Kroc was impressed by the brothers' speedy system of making the food and saw franchise potential. Kroc soon maneuvers himself into a position to be able to pull the company from the brothers and create a multi-billion dollar empire.

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Critics Consensus

The Founder puts Michael Keaton's magnetic performance at the center of a smart, satisfying biopic that traces the rise of one of America's most influential businessmen -- and the birth of one of its most far-reaching industries.

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Simran Hans

Observer (UK)

Hancock's bland biopic offers a sanitised and sympathetic take on the burger chain's beginnings and the man who turned it into a multimillion-dollar enterprise.

Rated: 2/5

Feb 19, 2017

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Donald Clarke

Irish Times

One of the many pleasures in John Lee Hancock's study of the man who made McDonald's an empire is its reminder that even the simplest ideas need to be invented.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 17, 2017

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Ed Potton

Times (UK)

The man, played with dark relish by Michael Keaton, has the fabulous name of Ray Kroc (there is a suitably reptilian air to his grin as he says things such as: "Contracts are like hearts. They're made to be broken").

Rated: 3/5

Feb 16, 2017

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Diana Tuova

Spotlight on Film

This is definitely a film to watch – not only as a real “eye-opener” into the success of the world’s most recognisable fast-food chain, but also for Keaton’s dedicated and enthusiastic performance.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 12, 2024

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Noah Berlatsky

Everything is Horrible (Substack)

John Lee Hancock's The Founder is the perfect movie for a country that has just chosen a vapid brand for its chief executive.

Apr 6, 2023

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Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

Thanks to a strong, character-focused script by Robert Siegel (The Wrestler) and engaging performances across the board, it all turns out to be pretty riveting stuff.

Rated: 8/10

Nov 1, 2022

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Nina W

I absolutely love this movie! The acting is impeccable. I don’t understand why Michael Keaton doesn’t have an Oscar yet. Also, Nick Offerman and John Carol Lynch were absolutely brilliant in this movie! Must see movie Seriously, it’s just great!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/31/25

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Audience Member

I dont know how this movie went under my radar for so long, but it was a great expierience. The actors and the Producers did a great job to present this story with its viewers.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/31/25

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Mitchell S

The only downer is that it's a true story about how corruption in this world seems to win sometimes. But the execution is really well done. It's fast-paced and funny, and will make you hungry from start to finish. And with a little luck you'll be reminded of the person you don't want to be.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/29/25

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Erik W

worst movie ever made awful

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

05/24/25

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Jace E

Ray Kroc sure is a piece of work. At first, I was rooting for the guy (as they want you to with most films). By the end of the first act, I really didn't care for him at all. Yes, what he did with McDonald's would not have happened with Dick and Mac, but man, he's such a jerk. Take my personal feelings about the man aside, and I think that this is a solid docudrama. The story flows well, the characters are interesting and the source material is prevalent. Michael Keaton and the other actors do a great job. It's not a film that I care to re-watch, but I was glad that I turned it on. Best Character: Mac Best Quote: "There's a wolf in the hen-house. We let him in." - Dick Best Scene: Discovering McDonald's Best Piece of Score: The Arches

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/21/25

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Russell H

Great performance my Keaton but if this is true, the real person was a d*ck

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/21/25

Full Review

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John Lee Hancock

Director

Michael Keaton

Ray Kroc

Nick Offerman

Dick McDonald

John Carroll Lynch

Mac McDonald

Laura Dern

Ethel Kroc

Linda Cardellini

Joan Smith

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The Founder: Trailer 3

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The Founder: Trailer 2

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The Founder: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

The true story of how Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton), a struggling salesman from Illinois, met Mac (John Carroll Lynch) and Dick McDonald (Nick Offerman), who were running a burger operation in 1950s Southern California. Kroc was impressed by the brothers' speedy system of making the food and saw franchise potential. Kroc soon maneuvers himself into a position to be able to pull the company from the brothers and create a multi-billion dollar empire.

Director: John Lee Hancock
Producer: Don Handfield, Jeremy Renner, Aaron Ryder
Screenwriter: Robert D. Siegel
Distributor: Weinstein Co.
Production Co: The Weinstein Company, Faliro House, The Combine, FilmNation Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Brief Strong Language)
Genre: Biography, History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 20, 2017, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 4, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.8M
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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