The Cider House Rules (1999)
An earnest young man learns about life and love as he leaves the only home he has ever known.
Homer is an orphan who was never adopted, becoming the favorite of orphanage director Dr. Larch. Dr. Larch imparts his full medical knowledge on Homer, who becomes a skilled, albeit unlicensed, physician. But Homer yearns for a self-chosen life outside the orphanage. What will Homer learn about life and love in the cider house? What of the destiny that Dr. Larch has planned for him?
How intense is The Cider House Rules?
The Cider House Rules has no gore and no real violence. Emotionally it is heavy. The pace is measured, and it is a full-attention watch and a comfort watch. Rated PG-13.
What The Cider House Rules feels like
- Tone
- melancholyearnestheartwarmingintimate
- Pace
- Measured
- Best for
- Full attentionComfort watch
Where to stream The Cider House Rules
US availability via TMDB, last checked Sep 10, 2026. The app filters picks to the services you actually have.
Is The Cider House Rules for you?
Is The Cider House Rules scary?
No. The Cider House Rules is not a scary watch (scare level 0 of 3).
Is The Cider House Rules gory or violent?
No gore (0 of 3) and no real violence (0 of 3). Squeamish viewers are fine here.
Is The Cider House Rules sad or heavy?
It is emotionally heavy (2 of 3). Expect it to land.
Is The Cider House Rules OK for kids?
It is rated PG-13. Intensity: scare 0, gore 0, violence 0, each out of 3. Your call for older kids.
How long is The Cider House Rules?
The Cider House Rules runs 2h 6m.
Where can I stream The Cider House Rules?
The Cider House Rules is streaming on MGM+, Kanopy and Hoopla.
Does The Cider House Rules have a happy ending? spoiler-safe answer
Bittersweet. It earns its ending, but not everyone gets what they want.
Cast and crew
More like The Cider House Rules
Matched on genre, tone, intensity and pace, not just keywords.
Dead Poets Society (1989)No gore · emotionally heavy · measuredAn inspiring teacher encourages students to defy rigid tradition and find their own voices, stirring both joy and sorrow.
Rain Man (1988)No gore · emotionally heavy · measuredA self-centered man discovers an autistic brother and a fortune, embarking on a heartwarming, intimate journey.
Good Will Hunting (1997)No gore · emotionally devastating · measuredA brilliant but troubled young man finds his way with the help of a compassionate therapist.
The Good Doctor (2017)Light gore · emotionally heavy · measuredAn autistic surgeon with savant syndrome navigates hospital politics while saving lives with his extraordinary medical gifts.
Scent of a Woman (1992)No gore · emotionally heavy · measuredA lonely, blind colonel and a young man form an unlikely bond during a poignant Thanksgiving weekend.
The Straight Story (1999)No gore · emotionally heavy · measuredAn earnest, intimate journey across states unfolds on a lawnmower, mending a family bond.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)No gore · emotionally heavy · measuredA shy freshman navigates the pangs of first love and friendship with witty, melancholic earnestness.
Lion (2016)No gore · emotionally devastating · measuredA lost boy's journey from Calcutta to Australia becomes a man's earnest search for his first home.
Find The Cider House Rules in
Want five more like The Cider House Rules?
Tell CouchRot the mood. It picks from what you can actually stream and learns from every rating.
Get CouchRot, it's freeThis product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Intensity, tone and pace tags are CouchRot's own.