The Great Dictator (1940)
A ruthless dictator's ambition clashes with a Jewish barber's struggle, creating a darkly comic, epic satire.
Dictator Adenoid Hynkel tries to expand his empire while a poor Jewish barber tries to avoid persecution from Hynkel's regime.
How intense is The Great Dictator?
The Great Dictator is mildly scary, with no gore and some violence. Emotionally it is heavy. The pace is measured, and it is a full-attention watch. The humor runs dry and broad.
What The Great Dictator feels like
- Tone
- satiricaldarkly comicepicearnest
- Pace
- Measured
- Humor
- dry and witty, broad and big
- Best for
- Full attention
Where to stream The Great Dictator
US availability via TMDB, last checked Sep 14, 2026. The app filters picks to the services you actually have.
Is The Great Dictator for you?
Is The Great Dictator scary?
Only a little. The Great Dictator has a few tense moments (scare level 1 of 3), nothing that follows you to bed.
Is The Great Dictator gory or violent?
No gore (0 of 3) and some violence (1 of 3). Squeamish viewers are fine here.
Is The Great Dictator sad or heavy?
It is emotionally heavy (2 of 3). Expect it to land.
How long is The Great Dictator?
The Great Dictator runs 2h 5m.
Where can I stream The Great Dictator?
The Great Dictator is streaming on Prime Video, Max, Criterion and Kanopy.
Cast and crew
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