The Candidate (1972): cast, story & where to watch
1972 · Film · ★ 6.5
Released in 1972, The Candidate is a comedy and drama film directed by Michael Ritchie, running about 110 minutes. “Bill McKay has a lot going for him...but nothing compared to what's coming.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Bill McKay is a candidate for the U.S. Senate from California. He has no hope of winning, so he is willing to tweak the establishment.
Who’s in it. The Candidate stars Robert Redford as Bill McKay, Peter Boyle as Marvin Lucas, Melvyn Douglas as John J. McKay and Don Porter as Senator Crocker Jarmon, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.5/10, The Candidate has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response. It went on to earn $2.5M 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 Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Candidate page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Candidate tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Candidate (1972)?
- In US, The Candidate 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 The Candidate worth watching?
- The Candidate holds an audience score of 6.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy and drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Candidate?
- The Candidate stars Robert Redford, Peter Boyle, Melvyn Douglas, Don Porter and Allen Garfield.
- When was The Candidate released?
- The Candidate was released in 1972, with a runtime of about 110 minutes.