The Automat (2021): cast, story & where to watch
2021 · Film
Released in 2021, The Automat is a documentary film directed by Lisa Hurwitz, running about 79 minutes.
What it’s about. The 100-year story of the iconic restaurant chain Horn & Hardart, the inspiration for Starbucks, where generations of Americans ate and drank coffee together at communal tables. From the perspective of former customers, we watch a business climb to its peak success and then grapple with fast food in a forever changed America.
Who’s in it. The Automat stars Ruth Bader Ginsburg as Self, Mel Brooks as Self, Colin Powell as Self and Carl Reiner as Self, among others.
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 Automat page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Automat tend to enjoy One Direction: This Is Us, Burn the Stage: The Movie, BTS World Tour: Love Yourself - Japan Edition and Senna.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Automat (2021)?
- In US, The Automat 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.
- Who stars in The Automat?
- The Automat stars Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Mel Brooks, Colin Powell, Carl Reiner and Elliott Gould.
- When was The Automat released?
- The Automat was released in 2021, with a runtime of about 79 minutes.