Hamlet (1948): cast, story & where to watch
1948 · Film · ★ 7.5
Released in 1948, Hamlet is a drama film directed by Laurence Olivier, running about 153 minutes. “The motion picture of all time ... for all time!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Winner of four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor, Sir Laurence Olivier’s Hamlet continues to be the most compelling version of Shakespeare’s beloved tragedy. Olivier is at his most inspired—both as director and as the melancholy Dane himself—as he breathes new life into the words of one of the world’s greatest dramatists.
Who’s in it. Hamlet stars Laurence Olivier as Hamlet - Prince of Denmark / Voice of Ghost, Jean Simmons as Ophelia - His Daughter, John Laurie as Francisco and Esmond Knight as Bernardo, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.5/10, Hamlet has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on fuboTV, HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV and Criterion Channel and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Hamlet page.
If you liked it. Fans of Hamlet tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Hamlet (1948)?
- In US, Hamlet is available to stream on fuboTV, HBO Max Amazon Channel and YouTube TV, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Hamlet worth watching?
- Hamlet holds an audience score of 7.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Hamlet?
- Hamlet stars Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, John Laurie, Esmond Knight and Anthony Quayle.
- When was Hamlet released?
- Hamlet was released in 1948, with a runtime of about 153 minutes.