JFK
"The story that won't go away."
After President John F Kennedy is assassinated, New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison launches a dogged investigation that questions the official account. The film follows his effort to assemble a legal case that could expose connections between fragmented threads and hidden forces. We watch... Read more
Watch NowNot Currently Available On (8 platforms)
Streaming availability last verified: February 07, 2026
About JFK
After President John F Kennedy is assassinated, New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison launches a dogged investigation that questions the official account. The film follows his effort to assemble a legal case that could expose connections between fragmented threads and hidden forces. We watch Garrison interview witnesses, pursue clues, and press his theory amid skepticism and political pressure. Kevin Costner embodies the relentless prosecutor, Tommy Lee Jones plays a key ally with a complicated stance, Gary Oldman embodies Lee Harvey Oswald, Kevin Bacon appears as Willie O'Keefe, and Michael Rooker portrays Bill Broussard. The narrative blends courtroom drama with stylized reconstruction, using a documentary sensibility to probe power, secrecy, and what really happened in Dallas. The tone emphasizes urgency indeed.
Directed by Oliver Stone, JFK unfolds as a cinematic inquiry rather than a biopic. Screenplay credits go to Stone, Zachary Sklar, and Jim Garrison, drawing on the investigation to frame a controversial argument about what lies behind the assassination today.
The film grossed 205,405,498 worldwide on a 40 million budget, reflecting solid audience demand for a provocative historical thriller. Its commercial performance helped solidify Stone's place in mainstream cinema and underscored the public's appetite for controversial reinterpretations of history today.
JFK ignited a long lasting debate about conspiracy theories surrounding Kennedy's death. It popularized the idea that official narratives may omit crucial details, prompting renewed attention to declassified documents and archival footage. The movie's bold presentation and tense courtroom sequences left a lasting mark on political thrillers for wider audiences.
Reception was polarized, with critics praising the ambition and performances while arguing about factual liberties. The film probes power and accountability, the clash between official statements and public perception, and how media shapes memory of a defining moment. It remains a touchstone for debates in cinematic historical revisionism and scholars.
Details
- Release Date
- December 20, 1991
- Runtime
- 3h 9m
- Rating
- R
- User Ratings
- 2,334 votes
- Type
- Movie
- Genres
- Drama, Thriller, History
- Country
- United States
- Studio
- Warner Bros. Pictures +4 more
- Budget
- $40,000,000
- Box Office
- $205,405,498
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Official Trailer
Cast
Kevin Costner
Jim Garrison
Tommy Lee Jones
Clay Shaw
Gary Oldman
Lee Harvey Oswald
Kevin Bacon
Willie O'Keefe
Michael Rooker
Bill Broussard
Jack Lemmon
Jack Martin
Laurie Metcalf
Susie Cox
Sissy Spacek
Liz Garrison
Joe Pesci
David Ferrie
John Candy
Dean Andrews
Written by: Oliver Stone, Zachary Sklar, Jim Garrison