Rebel Without a Cause

Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

  • 95% of critics liked it
    (41 reviews)

  • 87% of users liked it
    (54,813 ratings)

This landmark juvenile-delinquent drama scrupulously follows the classic theatrical disciplines, telling all within a 24-hour period. Teenager Jimmy Stark (James Dean) can't help but get into trouble, a problem that has forced his appearance-conscious parents (Jim Backus and Ann Doran) to move from… More

Play Trailer

PG-13, 1 hr. 51 min.
Directed By
Nicholas Ray
Genres
Drama, Classics
In Theaters
Oct 27, 1955 Wide
On DVD
Jan 22, 2002
Warner Bros. Pictures

Critic Reviews

  • Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

    An unmissable film, made with a delirious compassion.

  • Robert J. Landry, Variety

    Here is a fairly exciting, suspenseful and provocative, if also occasionally far-fetched, melodrama of unhappy youth on another delinquency kick.

  • Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

    Like its hero, Rebel Without a Cause desperately wants to say something and doesn't know what it is. If it did know, it would lose its fascination.

  • Bosley Crowther, New York Times

    There are some excruciating flashes of accuracy and truth in this film.

  • Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle

    An indelible vision of a pretty 1950s America with a searing crack in it.

Read all 20 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Chris W


    So, I finally saw this much beloved and highly regarded film and, you know what? It's overrated. Ans that's a bummer too, since I was really hoping this film truly stood the test of time like I was lead to believe. Don't get me wrong, this is a good film, just not a… More

  • Reid V


    A bit melodramatic at times, but overall an effective and visually sharp glimpse at the post war American mindset.

  • Tsubaki S


    It's the right movie for it's time, far more worried about being dramatic than anything else. Dean's performance is clearly the high note of the film, the rest is not very memorable.

  • Jennifer X


    Though James Dean is kind of sexy, something seems off about his portrayal, and the entire film. Why do they all seem so old? Why is the metaphor for outsider status and sexuality used so obviously? Rebel Without a Cause is much, much campier than critics give it credit for.

  • AJ V


    If you ask me, Dean's character does have a cause, so I don't understand the title, but that doesn't really affect how cool this movie is. This is the first great teen film, and I highly recommend it.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Cast

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Trailers & Clips

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