The Big Sleep (1946): cast, story & where to watch
1946 · Film · ★ 7.6
Released in 1946, The Big Sleep is a thriller, crime, mystery and romance film directed by Howard Hawks, running about 114 minutes. “The picture they were born for!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Private Investigator Philip Marlowe is hired by wealthy General Sternwood regarding a matter involving his youngest daughter Carmen. Before the complex case is over, Marlowe sees murder, blackmail, deception, and what might be love.
Who’s in it. The Big Sleep stars Humphrey Bogart as Philip Marlowe, Lauren Bacall as Vivian Sternwood Rutledge, John Ridgely as Eddie Mars and Martha Vickers as Carmen Sternwood, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.6/10, The Big Sleep has been warmly received by audiences. It went on to earn $4.9M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Big Sleep page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Big Sleep tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Big Sleep (1946)?
- In US, The Big Sleep is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Big Sleep worth watching?
- The Big Sleep holds an audience score of 7.6 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller, crime, mystery and romance. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The Big Sleep?
- The Big Sleep stars Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, John Ridgely, Martha Vickers and Dorothy Malone.
- When was The Big Sleep released?
- The Big Sleep was released in 1946, with a runtime of about 114 minutes.