What to know

critics consensus

James Franco's uncanny portrayal of James Dean keeps this biopic engrossing, even as it emphasizes the Hollywood icon's myth over his more nuanced life story. Read critic reviews

You might also like

Where to watch

Rate And Review

User image

Verified

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Rate this movie

    Oof, that was Rotten.

    Meh, it passed the time.

    It’s good – I’d recommend it.

    Awesome!

    So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

    What did you think of the movie? (optional)

  • You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Step 2 of 2

    How did you buy your ticket?

    Let's get your review verified.

    • Fandango

    • AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew

    • Cinemark Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Regal Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Theater box office or somewhere else

    By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.

    You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Rate this movie

    Oof, that was Rotten.

    Meh, it passed the time.

    It’s good – I’d recommend it.

    Awesome!

    So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

    What did you think of the movie? (optional)

  • How did you buy your ticket?

    • Fandango

    • AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew

    • Cinemark Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Regal Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Theater box office or somewhere else

    By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.

James Dean Photos

View All Photos (8)

Movie Info

Starting with his childhood in Santa Monica, this biopic explores the tumultuous life and early death of James Dean (James Franco). Dean makes his Hollywood debut in Elia Kazan's "East of Eden," opening the floodgates for his film career. While enjoying his newfound success, Dean embarks on a relationship with Italian actress Pier Angeli (Valentina Cervi). His success, however, is overshadowed by his father's (Michael Moriarty) reluctance to bridge a painfully deep gap with him.
  • Rating:
    TV14 (S|L)
  • Genre:
    biography
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Mark Rydell
  • Producer:
    George W. Perkins
  • Writer:
    Israel Horovitz
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Miramax
  • Sound Mix:
    Stereo

Cast & Crew

James Franco
James Dean, Narrator
Michael Moriarty
Winton Dean
Valentina Cervi
Pier Angeli
Enrico Colantoni
Elia Kazan
Edward Herrmann
Raymond Massey
Joanne Linville
Hedda Hopper
John Pleshette
Billy Rose
Barry Primus
Nicholas Ray
David Proval
Daniel Mann
Sam Gould
Martin Landau
Mark Rydell
Director
George W. Perkins
Producer
Bill Gerber
Executive Producer
Mark Rydell
Executive Producer
Israel Horovitz
Writer
Show all Cast & Crew

News & Interviews for James Dean

Interview: James Franco on Sal, James Dean and Gay Subculture
View All

Critic Reviews for James Dean

All Critics (15) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (14) | Rotten (1)

  • For Freaks & Geeks' James Franco, James Dean is a major breakthrough. He not only looks like him, but his mannerisms and his whole persona are startlingly real. This movie rests on his thin, hunched shoulders, and he carries it off.

    May 11, 2020 | Rating: A- | Full Review…

    Ann Hodges

    Houston Chronicle

  • The movie itself is rarely adventurous, but it could prompt viewers to watch the actual Dean performances again. Credit for that would go mainly to Franco, who excels at playing this odd, conflicted figure.

    May 11, 2020 | Full Review…

    Hal Boedeker

    Orlando Sentinel

  • Franco's metamorphosis into Dean ranks as one of the great TV performances of the year. And it would have been enough to earn James Dean a rave, but it's only one of several performances that set this movie apart.

    May 11, 2020 | Full Review…

    Austin Smith

    New York Post

  • Sick of movie-star biopics? Then there's little to change your mind in this one... It's worth seeing, though, because James Franco uncannily channels the sulky, sexy, short-lived heartthrob.

    May 11, 2020 | Full Review…

    James Poniewozik

    TIME Magazine

  • Franco could have walked through the role and done a passable Dean, but instead gets under the skin of this insecure, rootless young man.

    May 11, 2020 | Full Review…

    Ken Tucker

    Entertainment Weekly

  • Re-creates Dean's life and times with what might be called stunning adequacy... Franco's performance is easily the best thing in the movie, conveying Dean's essence and angst without ever becoming a mere impersonation.

    May 11, 2020 | Full Review…

    Tom Shales

    Washington Post
View All Critic Reviews (15)

Audience Reviews for James Dean

  • May 03, 2013
    It's rare to see such a good television production, mostly due to the Franco's portrayal of James Dean. Although the film was detailed, it wasn't accurate.
    Sylvester K Super Reviewer
  • Aug 08, 2009
    Really liked it. Maybe a little dramatic in parts but James Franco does a pitch-perfect job!
    Sunil J Super Reviewer
  • Apr 09, 2009
    Here's an interesting movie that centralizes on the life and death of James Dean. James Franco portrays the Hollywood star in this intriguing story plot that marks his success. Worth seeing!
    Leo L Super Reviewer
See all Audience reviews

James Dean Quotes

View All Quotes

Movie & TV guides