Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
A sprawling crime saga unfolds with melancholic grit as a gangster confronts his past in a slowly burning epic.
A former Prohibition-era Jewish gangster returns to the Lower East Side of Manhattan over thirty years later, where he once again must confront the ghosts and regrets of his old life.
How intense is Once Upon a Time in America?
Once Upon a Time in America is mildly scary, with graphic gore and brutal violence. Emotionally it is devastating. The pace is a slow burn, and it is a full-attention watch. Rated R.
What Once Upon a Time in America feels like
- Tone
- melancholygrittyepicatmospheric
- Pace
- Slow burn
- Best for
- Full attention
Where to stream Once Upon a Time in America
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 13, 2026. The app filters picks to the services you actually have.
Is Once Upon a Time in America for you?
Is Once Upon a Time in America scary?
Only a little. Once Upon a Time in America has a few tense moments (scare level 1 of 3), nothing that follows you to bed.
Is Once Upon a Time in America gory or violent?
Graphic gore (2 of 3) and brutal violence (3 of 3). If graphic gore is a dealbreaker, skip it.
Is Once Upon a Time in America sad or heavy?
Yes. Emotional weight 3 of 3. It hits hard; do not plan anything light after.
Is Once Upon a Time in America OK for kids?
It is rated R, so it is made for adults. Intensity: scare 1, gore 2, violence 3, each out of 3.
How long is Once Upon a Time in America?
Once Upon a Time in America runs 2h 19m.
Where can I stream Once Upon a Time in America?
Once Upon a Time in America is not on a US subscription service right now (rent or buy may still be an option).
Does Once Upon a Time in America have a happy ending? spoiler-safe answer
It leaves the ending open to interpretation.
Cast and crew
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