Once Upon a Time in America (1984): cast, story & where to watch
1984 · Film · ★ 8.4
Released in 1984, Once Upon a Time in America is a drama and crime film directed by Sergio Leone, running about 229 minutes. “Crime, passion and lust for power.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. A former Prohibition-era Jewish gangster returns to the Lower East Side of Manhattan over thirty years later, where he once again must confront the ghosts and regrets of his old life.
Who’s in it. Once Upon a Time in America stars Robert De Niro as David 'Noodles' Aaronson, James Woods as Maximilian 'Max' Bercovicz, Elizabeth McGovern as Deborah Gelly and Joe Pesci as Frankie Monaldi, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 8.4/10, Once Upon a Time in America sits among the best-reviewed titles in the catalogue. It went on to earn $5.5M 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 Once Upon a Time in America page.
If you liked it. Fans of Once Upon a Time in America tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Once Upon a Time in America (1984)?
- In US, Once Upon a Time in America 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 Once Upon a Time in America worth watching?
- Once Upon a Time in America holds an audience score of 8.4 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and crime. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Once Upon a Time in America?
- Once Upon a Time in America stars Robert De Niro, James Woods, Elizabeth McGovern, Joe Pesci and Tuesday Weld.
- When was Once Upon a Time in America released?
- Once Upon a Time in America was released in 1984, with a runtime of about 229 minutes.