• Trending
    • Certified Fresh & Verified Hot
    • TV Premier dates
    • New horror Movies
    • Best Movies of All Time
  • Movies
    • Movies In Theaters
    • Movies at Home
  • TV Shows
    • New TV
    • Most Popular TV
  • News
    • What to Watch
    • Guides
    • RT News
    • Awards
  • Games
    • Find Your Next Horror Watch
  • Video
  • Showtimes
  • Fanstore
  • About Rotten Tomatoes
  • Critics
  • Download the App Now
  • Logout
Rotten Tomatoes
Suggestions will appear as you start typing. Submit search Movies Tv shows RT App New News Showtimes

The Decline of Western Civilization

Play trailer Poster for The Decline of Western Civilization 1981,  1h 40m,  Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Stream Now Watchlist 100% 41 Reviews Tomatometer 55% 1,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
100% Tomatometer 41 Reviews 55% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Director Penelope Spheeris surveys the late-1970s Los Angeles punk scene: X, Black Flag, Fear, Germs, Catholic Discipline, Alice Bag Band.
Watch on Fandango Stream Now

Where to Watch

The Decline of Western Civilization

Stream Prime Video

Watch The Decline of Western Civilization with a subscription on Prime Video, rent on Fandango, or buy on Fandango.

The Decline of Western Civilization

What to Know

Critics Consensus

The Decline of Western Civilization takes a frank, often funny look at the punk culture of the late '70s and early '80s.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Nathan Rabin Globe and Mail May 8, 2021
The film's style is as brutal, stripped-down and purposefully devoid of frills as the music of its subjects. Go to Full Review
Michael Anthony Minneapolis Star Tribune Mar 23, 2021
Spheeris's film does have Its funny moments. Go to Full Review
Scott Cain Atlanta Journal-Constitution Mar 23, 2021
3/5
The musicians and their fans are both amusing and pathetic. Go to Full Review
D.M. Palmer Vague Visages Nov 9, 2023
...emblematic of the cultural sect being catalogued... Go to Full Review
Noah Berlatsky Splice Today Apr 16, 2023
The Decline of Western Civilization is a punk document not just because it chronicles punk bands, but because it’s made in line with that famous punk ethos: the mainstream sucks, do it yourself Go to Full Review
Rick Chatenever Santa Cruz Sentinel May 8, 2021
Spheeris' treatment goes out of its way to present a broad look at the subject that avoids easy generalizations in either direction. Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Kristopher W. @jhiuguyg1983 Apr 30, 2026 Yay my review is so cool
Dmitry D. @dma222 Nov 20, 2025 Highly recommended!!!2
Shan T Jan 28, 2025 not a real review!! ok
Leia L Sep 26, 2018 The definitive punk rock documentary.
Rey W Jul 15, 2018 Great music, great bands. Epic documentary.
Rey R Jul 28, 2017 I despised the music and most of the subjects but it's a fascinating time capsule movie.
Read all reviews
The Decline of Western Civilization

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

Cast & Crew

View All

Penelope Spheeris

Director

Alice Bag

Actor

Claude Bessey

Actor

Don Bolles

Actor

Exene Cervenka

Actor

Philo Cramer

Actor

More Like This

View All
Hating Breitbart 0% 92% Hating Breitbart Watchlist The Blue Room 88% 50% The Blue Room Watchlist Lust in the Dust 25% 79% Lust in the Dust Watchlist Furie 95% Furie Watchlist TRAILER for Furie Bullet in the Head 91% 87% Bullet in the Head Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Related Movie News

View All
View All

The Decline of Western Civilization

The Decline of Western Civilization (1981) The Decline of Western Civilization (1981) The Decline of Western Civilization (1981) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Director Penelope Spheeris surveys the late-1970s Los Angeles punk scene: X, Black Flag, Fear, Germs, Catholic Discipline, Alice Bag Band.
Director
Penelope Spheeris
Producer
Penelope Spheeris
Screenwriter
Penelope Spheeris
Production Co
Spheeris Films Inc.
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 1, 1981, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 23, 2016
Runtime
1h 40m
Join The Newsletter Join The Newsletter Cookie Settings