Citizen Kane

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3:44

Citizen Kane

PG

1941

1h 59m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

99%

Tomatometer

136 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."

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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

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

12/12/2024

5/5

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

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

01/18/2024

Genuinely innovative film-making.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

21h

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)

2d

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

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Bob Ross

Tampa Tribune

May 28

4/4

Retains a seamless simplicity despite its complex main character.

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Marlyn B

1h

The movie was great. Except for when the words didn’t match the mouth. And for the couple speaking Italian very loudly in the background.

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Marc C

9h

It upsets me how well this movie has aged

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carol

16h

First time to see this movie and it was a perfect venue for it! Please show more of these classics on the big screen! We love them!

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Kia B

Sep 8

Proof that all good classic films should be seen on the big screen. Seeing the issues of my grandparents time shows the more things change, the more they stay the same.

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R

Sep 8

A true classic. It's been so homaged and referenced that it may seem cliche but thats BECAUSE it's a classic. The Mise-en-scne and thoughtfulness of the production is breathtaking on the big screen. If you get the chance to see it in a theater, GO!

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Christopher H

@Christopher727 10h

Just saw this today as part of the TCM on-screen program. It is a great story. Well told, acted, directed, and edited.

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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

3:44

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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)