Citizen Kane

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3:44

Poster for

Citizen Kane

PG

1941

1h 59m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

99%

Tomatometer

137 Reviews

98%

Popcornmeter

100+ Verified 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, 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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Eric M

Sep 6, 2026

Excellent all-around!

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Rod

Aug 17, 2026

Liked everything. Dislike nothing.

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Romkee

Jul 16, 2026

yeah, this one is pretty good

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fyrintb4 dirjru

Jul 14, 2026

Enough has been said about this film, just watch it.

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BK

Jul 9, 2026

Considered one of the best movies ever made. It's a must see in a theater.

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MarkB T

Jul 9, 2026

This is the standard in set design and cinematography. This movie holds up 85 years later.

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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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