The Founder

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The Founder

PG-13

2017

1h 55m

Biography

History

Drama

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Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

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

The 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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Leaburn O

A wonderfully amoral biopic of Ray Kroc, the ahem founder of McDonalds. It was well made, refusing to shirk the shady history of the protagonist. Very enjoyable and the time flew by. Watched on Amazon Prime.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/17/25

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Lynneth S

Michael Keaton’s portrayal of Ray Kroc became the centerpiece of the movie, highlighting the nuances of his character—from a persistent salesman to a greedy and morally questionable entrepreneur. Overall, it was a great film that depicted the events behind McDonald’s rise to a multibillion-dollar empire as raw and unbiased as possible.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/08/25

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Stephen C

Based on a true story in 1 hour and 55 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG-13 for Brief Strong Language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $12,800,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/13/25

Full Review

THE NASHVILLE I

Picking up from The Social Network, The Founder's a fascinating look at one of the biggest companies in America's history. Excellent work by Keaton and honestly a terrific performance by Offerman. The writer's structured the story very, VERY well to give it the perfect rythym of dips, twists and trivia.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/24/25

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Steve J

Well acted and directed but what’s the point? No character arc and a hollow theme.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/23/25

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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

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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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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