Licence to Kill (1989)
A rogue agent infiltrates a drug lord's organization, seeking gritty, pulpy vengeance for a friend's brutal attack.
After capturing the notorious drug lord Franz Sanchez, Bond's close friend and former CIA agent Felix Leiter is left for dead and his wife is murdered. Bond goes rogue and seeks vengeance on those responsible, as he infiltrates Sanchez's organization from the inside.
How intense is Licence to Kill?
Licence to Kill is mildly scary, with graphic gore and brutal violence. Emotionally it is heavy. The pace is brisk, and it is a full-attention watch and a party watch. Rated PG-13.
What Licence to Kill feels like
- Tone
- grittysuspensefulpulpy
- Pace
- Brisk
- Best for
- Full attentionParty
Where to stream Licence to Kill
Not on a US subscription service at our last check. Rent or buy may still be an option.
US availability via TMDB, last checked Sep 15, 2026. The app filters picks to the services you actually have.
Is Licence to Kill for you?
Is Licence to Kill scary?
Only a little. Licence to Kill has a few tense moments (scare level 1 of 3), nothing that follows you to bed.
Is Licence to Kill gory or violent?
Graphic gore (2 of 3) and brutal violence (3 of 3). If graphic gore is a dealbreaker, skip it.
Is Licence to Kill sad or heavy?
It is emotionally heavy (2 of 3). Expect it to land.
Is Licence to Kill OK for kids?
It is rated PG-13. Intensity: scare 1, gore 2, violence 3, each out of 3. Your call for older kids.
How long is Licence to Kill?
Licence to Kill runs 2h 13m.
Where can I stream Licence to Kill?
Licence to Kill is not on a US subscription service right now (rent or buy may still be an option).
Does Licence to Kill have a happy ending? spoiler-safe answer
Yes. It lands on a happy note.
Cast and crew
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