Citizen Kane

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3:44

Citizen Kane

PG,

1941,

1h 59m,

Drama

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99%

137 Reviews

Tomatometer

90%

100,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

99%

Tomatometer

137 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

When a reporter is assigned to decipher newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane's (Orson Welles) dying words, his investigation gradually reveals the fascinating portrait of a complex man who rose from obscurity to staggering heights. Though Kane's friend and colleague Jedediah Leland (Joseph Cotten), and his mistress, Susan Alexander (Dorothy Comingore), shed fragments of light on Kane's life, the reporter fears he may never penetrate the mystery of the elusive man's final word, "Rosebud."

Critics Consensus

Orson Welles's epic tale of a publishing tycoon's rise and fall is entertaining, poignant, and inventive in its storytelling, earning its reputation as a landmark achievement in film.

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Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

Jun 21, 2026

5/5

I don’t care if Welles was 25 or 85, or if the movie was made in ‘41 or 2014 – we would still rightfully be in awe of the filmmaking.

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Tom Huddleston

Time Out

Dec 12, 2024

5/5

It remains as witty, tragic, unlikely, unique and fascinating as ever.

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

Jan 18, 2024

Genuinely innovative film-making.

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Michael Calleri

Niagara Gazette

Jul 31, 2026

It is not hyperbole to state that "Citizen Kane" has earned the right to be considered as great as any individual wants it to be. If "greatest" is too much, then how about most respected? It might be the most influential motion picture in history.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Jul 5, 2026

4/4

Citizen Kane has been cited as the greatest film ever made from so many different quarters, it’s a wonder a Congressional law was never passed making it required viewing for anyone who claims they like movies.

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Rachel Wagner

Rachel's Reviews (YouTube)

Jul 3, 2026

the movie that changed everything. A must watch for film fans

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Luke S

Apr 7, 2019

If you want to watch one of the greatest films ever made I suggest you watch this exquisite film.

Hermione G

Mar 22, 2019

Important movie for all film lovers great twist and wonderful character study.

Han S

Mar 11, 2019

I put off seeing this movie for years. Now that I have, I understand why it is considered such an incredible achievement. It is timeless.

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Anakin W

Mar 10, 2019

Some really great shots in the beginning of the movie.

Mar 4, 2019

Although it is a landmark in film history i don't believe it deserves the title of the greatest movie ever made

George R

Mar 1, 2019

Overly complex, Padantic and dull, this movie took itself too serously. And the only thing drawing the viewer through this films long and drawn out sequence of non-events, where a rich man tries to buy love, is the promise that "Rosebud" will be explained, only to be disapointed. The story is pointles and over rated and it seems its only purpose was to smear Howard Hughs. This films original standing as being the movie that destroyed Orson Wells is well deserved and should have stayed in the garbage heep of forgotten movies where it belongs.

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Orson Welles

Director

Orson Welles

Charles Foster Kane

Joseph Cotten

Jedediah Leland

Ruth Warrick

Emily Norton Kane

Everett Sloane

Bernstein

Agnes Moorehead

Mrs. Mary Kane

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Citizen Kane: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

When a reporter is assigned to decipher newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane's (Orson Welles) dying words, his investigation gradually reveals the fascinating portrait of a complex man who rose from obscurity to staggering heights. Though Kane's friend and colleague Jedediah Leland (Joseph Cotten), and his mistress, Susan Alexander (Dorothy Comingore), shed fragments of light on Kane's life, the reporter fears he may never penetrate the mystery of the elusive man's final word, "Rosebud."

Director: Orson Welles
Producer: Orson Welles
Screenwriter: Herman J. Mankiewicz, Orson Welles, John Houseman
Distributor: RKO Radio Pictures
Production Co: Mercury Productions, RKO Radio Pictures Inc.
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 1, 1941, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Jul 5, 2026
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 28, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $977.3K
Runtime: 1h 59m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Academy (1.33:1)

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