The Founder (2016)
An earnest salesman's gritty ambition transforms a simple burger stand into a cutthroat, billion-dollar empire.
The true story of how Ray Kroc, a salesman from Illinois, met Mac and Dick McDonald, who were running a burger operation in 1950s Southern California. Kroc was impressed by the brothers’ speedy system of making the food and saw franchise potential. He maneuvered himself into a position to be able to pull the company from the brothers and create a billion-dollar empire.
How intense is The Founder?
The Founder has no gore and no real violence. Emotionally it is heavy. The pace is measured, and it is a full-attention watch and fine in the background. Rated PG-13.
What The Founder feels like
- Tone
- grittyearnestintimate
- Pace
- Measured
- Best for
- Full attentionBackground
- True story
- Yes, based on true events.
Where to stream The Founder
US availability via TMDB, last checked Sep 13, 2026. The app filters picks to the services you actually have.
Is The Founder for you?
Is The Founder scary?
No. The Founder is not a scary watch (scare level 0 of 3).
Is The Founder gory or violent?
No gore (0 of 3) and no real violence (0 of 3). Squeamish viewers are fine here.
Is The Founder sad or heavy?
It is emotionally heavy (2 of 3). Expect it to land.
Is The Founder 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 Founder?
The Founder runs 1h 55m.
Where can I stream The Founder?
The Founder is streaming on Netflix.
Does The Founder have a happy ending? spoiler-safe answer
Bittersweet. It earns its ending, but not everyone gets what they want.
Cast and crew
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