The Formula (1980): cast, story & where to watch
1980 · Film · ★ 5.5
Released in 1980, The Formula is a thriller, crime and mystery film directed by John G. Avildsen, running about 117 minutes. “Big Oil. Big Money. Big Mystery. Everyone’s out to make a killing.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. While investigating the death of a friend and fellow cop, Los Angeles police officer Barney Caine stumbles across evidence that Nazis created a synthetic alternative to gasoline during World War II. This revelation has the potential to end the established global oil industry, making the formula a very valuable and dangerous piece of information. Eventually, Caine must contend with oil tycoon Adam Steiffel, who clearly has his own agenda regarding the formula.
Who’s in it. The Formula stars George C. Scott as Barney Caine, Marlon Brando as Adam Steiffel, Marthe Keller as Lisa and John Gielgud as Dr. Abraham Esau, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.5/10, The Formula has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response. It went on to earn $8.9M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Artiflix and 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 Formula page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Formula tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Formula (1980)?
- In US, The Formula is available to stream on Artiflix, and 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 Formula worth watching?
- The Formula holds an audience score of 5.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller, crime and mystery. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Formula?
- The Formula stars George C. Scott, Marlon Brando, Marthe Keller, John Gielgud and G. D. Spradlin.
- When was The Formula released?
- The Formula was released in 1980, with a runtime of about 117 minutes.