Arsenic and Old Lace (1944): cast, story & where to watch

1944 · Film · ★ 7.6

Arsenic and Old Lace poster

Released in 1944, Arsenic and Old Lace is a comedy and crime film directed by Frank Capra, running about 118 minutes. “She Passed Out On Cary! No Wonder . . . She's just discovered his favorite aunts have poisoned their 13th gentleman friend!” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Mortimer Brewster, a newspaper drama critic, playwright, and author known for his diatribes against marriage, suddenly falls in love and gets married; but when he makes a quick trip home to tell his two maiden aunts, he finds out his aunts' hobby - killing lonely old men and burying them in the cellar!

Who’s in it. Arsenic and Old Lace stars Cary Grant as Mortimer Brewster, Priscilla Lane as Elaine Harper Brewster, Raymond Massey as Jonathan Brewster and Jack Carson as Officer Patrick O'Hara, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 7.6/10, Arsenic and Old Lace has been warmly received by audiences.

Where to watch. In US you can stream it on YouTube TV 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 Arsenic and Old Lace page.

If you liked it. Fans of Arsenic and Old Lace tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.

Frequently asked

Where can I watch Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)?
In US, Arsenic and Old Lace is available to stream on YouTube TV, 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 Arsenic and Old Lace worth watching?
Arsenic and Old Lace holds an audience score of 7.6 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy and crime. Most viewers rate it highly.
Who stars in Arsenic and Old Lace?
Arsenic and Old Lace stars Cary Grant, Priscilla Lane, Raymond Massey, Jack Carson and Edward Everett Horton.
When was Arsenic and Old Lace released?
Arsenic and Old Lace was released in 1944, with a runtime of about 118 minutes.