Once Upon a Time in America

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Once Upon a Time in America

R

1984

2h 19m

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

87%

Tomatometer

54 Reviews

93%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

In 1968, the elderly David "Noodles" Aaronson (Robert De Niro) returns to New York, where he had a career in the criminal underground in the '20s and '30s. Most of his old friends, like longtime partner Max (James Woods), are long gone, yet he feels his past is unresolved. Told in flashbacks, the film follows Noodles from a tough kid in a Jewish slum in New York's Lower East Side, through his rise to bootlegger and then Mafia boss -- a journey marked by violence, betrayal and remorse.

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Critics Consensus

Sergio Leone's epic crime drama is visually stunning, stylistically bold, and emotionally haunting, and filled with great performances from the likes of Robert De Niro and James Woods.

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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

Sep 13, 2023

It isn’t just the echoing moments that keep you absorbed. It’s those reverberant dreamland settings and Leone’s majestic, billowing sense of film movement; the images seem to come at you in waves of feeling.

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Paul Attanasio

Washington Post

Jan 4, 2018

The movie's four hours long, but no one had the time to write a single real character.

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Gary Arnold

Washington Post

May 5, 2017

This would-be epic schlep, dragging almost 50 years of chronology over a sluggish 140 minutes, is far too slight of text and ponderous of presentation to sustain more than nodding-off dramatic interest.

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Rachel Wagner

Rachel's Reviews (YouTube)

Sep 6, 2026

epic crime film and it takes you through so many different eras with these characters

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Mike Studley

Liverpool Echo

Dec 8, 2025

A remarkable movie, superbly photographed, and one that keeps you totally involved despite its long running time.

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

Jul 12, 2024

A bad movie at any length, swimming in the syrup of Morricone's score. But hey, some call it a masterpiece.

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Jacob W

@RT17896586 2 days ago

In 1968, the elderly David "Noodles" Aaronson (Robert De Niro) returns to New York, where he had a career in the criminal underground in the '20s and '30s. Most of his old friends, like longtime partner Max (James Woods), are long gone, yet he feels his past is unresolved. Told in flashbacks, the film follows Noodles from a tough kid in a Jewish slum in New York's Lower East Side, through his rise to bootlegger and then Mafia boss - a journey marked by violence, betrayal and remorse. With a Stella cast and a classic movie Enjoy.

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Robert P

@Superbad Oct 28, 2026

Once Upon a Time in America is a 4.5 star Movie...

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Huntin P

@PaxVobiscum80 Oct 4, 2026

I thought this movie was terrific when I saw it. I much preferred it to the westerns by the same director. I think there was some issues over cuts, expurgated prints and whatnot, when the movie was first released, so make sure you get the most uncut cut you can find.

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Ed B

@EdLee Sep 29, 2026

Once upon a time in America, quintessential Sergio Leone. Story follows progression of two friends growing up in criminal life. Robert DeNiro & James Woods both deliver solid performances. Great cinematography and score. A good one.

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Shaun J

@RT47433839 Aug 13, 2026

An all-time classic, up there with The Godfather and Goodfellas. Everyone should see this movie at least once in their life.

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Khai M

@Khaimang Jul 12, 2026

This is one of my top 5 favorite movies in any genre, Sergio Leone's masterpiece, I've seen it multiple times, and it continues to entertain. That's what masterpieces tend to do.

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Sergio Leone

Director

Robert De Niro

David 'Noodles' Aaronson

James Woods

Maximilian 'Max' Bercovicz

Elizabeth McGovern

Deborah Gelly

Treat Williams

James Conway O'Donnell

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Synopsis

In 1968, the elderly David "Noodles" Aaronson (Robert De Niro) returns to New York, where he had a career in the criminal underground in the '20s and '30s. Most of his old friends, like longtime partner Max (James Woods), are long gone, yet he feels his past is unresolved. Told in flashbacks, the film follows Noodles from a tough kid in a Jewish slum in New York's Lower East Side, through his rise to bootlegger and then Mafia boss -- a journey marked by violence, betrayal and remorse.

Director: Sergio Leone
Producer: Arnon Milchan
Screenwriter: Harry Grey, Piero De Bernardi, Leonardo Benvenuti, Enrico Medioli, Franco Arcalli, Franco Ferrini, Sergio Leone
Production Co: Warner Brothers, Embassy International Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 12, 2015
Runtime: 2h 19m

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