The Punisher (1989): cast, story & where to watch
1989 · Film · ★ 5.7
Released in 1989, The Punisher is an action and thriller film directed by Mark Goldblatt, running about 89 minutes. “If society won't punish the guilty, he will.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. The avenging angel of Marvel Comics fame comes brilliantly to life in this searing action-adventure thriller! Dolph Lundgren stars as Frank Castle, a veteran cop who loses his entire family to a mafia car bomb. His ex-partner believes Castle survived the blast and became the Punisher, living in the sewers and exacting vigilante violence against mob bosses throughout the city. When the populace is caught in the midst of a gang war that he caused, Castle must again emerge from the shadows and save the innocent.
Who’s in it. The Punisher stars Dolph Lundgren as Frank Castle / The Punisher, Louis Gossett Jr. as Jake Berkowitz, Jeroen Krabbé as Gianni Franco and Kim Miyori as Lady Tanaka, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.7/10, The Punisher has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In GB you can rent or buy it from Sky Store. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Punisher page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Punisher tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Punisher (1989)?
- In GB, The Punisher is available to rent or buy from Sky Store. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Punisher worth watching?
- The Punisher holds an audience score of 5.7 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy action and thriller. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Punisher?
- The Punisher stars Dolph Lundgren, Louis Gossett Jr., Jeroen Krabbé, Kim Miyori and Bryan Marshall.
- When was The Punisher released?
- The Punisher was released in 1989, with a runtime of about 89 minutes.