The Searchers (1956): cast, story & where to watch
1956 · Film · ★ 7.7
Released in 1956, The Searchers is a western film directed by John Ford, running about 119 minutes. “He had to find her... he had to find her...” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. As a Civil War veteran spends years searching for a young niece captured by Indians, his motivation becomes increasingly questionable.
Who’s in it. The Searchers stars John Wayne as Ethan Edwards, Jeffrey Hunter as Martin Pawley, Vera Miles as Laurie Jorgensen and Ward Bond as Rev. Capt. Samuel Johnston Clayton, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.7/10, The Searchers has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Criterion Channel 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 Searchers page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Searchers tend to enjoy The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Django Unchained, Once Upon a Time in the West and For a Few Dollars More.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Searchers (1956)?
- In US, The Searchers is available to stream on Criterion Channel, 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 Searchers worth watching?
- The Searchers holds an audience score of 7.7 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy western. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The Searchers?
- The Searchers stars John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Ward Bond and Natalie Wood.
- When was The Searchers released?
- The Searchers was released in 1956, with a runtime of about 119 minutes.