Bigger Than Life (1956): cast, story & where to watch
1956 · Film · ★ 7.2
Released in 1956, Bigger Than Life is a drama film directed by Nicholas Ray, running about 95 minutes. “The story of the handful of hope that became a fistful of hell!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. A friendly, successful suburban teacher and father grows dangerously addicted to cortisone, resulting in his transformation into a household despot.
Who’s in it. Bigger Than Life stars James Mason as Ed Avery, Barbara Rush as Lou Avery, Walter Matthau as Wally Gibbs and Robert F. Simon as Dr. Norton, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.2/10, Bigger Than Life has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Criterion Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Bigger Than Life page.
If you liked it. Fans of Bigger Than Life tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Bigger Than Life (1956)?
- In US, Bigger Than Life is available to stream on Criterion Channel. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Bigger Than Life worth watching?
- Bigger Than Life holds an audience score of 7.2 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Bigger Than Life?
- Bigger Than Life stars James Mason, Barbara Rush, Walter Matthau, Robert F. Simon and Christopher Olsen.
- When was Bigger Than Life released?
- Bigger Than Life was released in 1956, with a runtime of about 95 minutes.