

Boys Town
“"No boy is bad, if given a chance!"”
Devout but iron-willed Father Flanagan leads a community called Boys Town, a different sort of juvenile detention facility where, instead of being treated as underage criminals, the boys are shepherded into making themselves better people. But hard-nosed petty thief and pool shark Whitey Marsh, the impulsive and violent younger brother of an imprisoned murderer, might be too much for the good father's tough-love system.
Where to watch Boys Town in United States
Click a service to open Boys Town there. Availability last verified on June 21, 2026.
Where is Boys Town streaming around the world?
| Country | Streaming on | Rent / Buy |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Kanopy | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
| India | — | Amazon Video |
| United Kingdom | — | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |
| Canada | — | Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, CosmoGo |
| Australia | — | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies |
| France | — | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |
| Spain | Amazon Prime Video, Filmin, Amazon Prime Video with Ads | Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Amazon Video |
| Brazil | — | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |
| Japan | Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store |
About Boys Town
Boys Town is a 1938 English-language drama film directed by Norman Taurog. The cast is led by Spencer Tracy, Mickey Rooney, Henry Hull. It has a runtime of 1h 36m. Viewers rate it 6.8/10 across 100 ratings. In United States, it is currently streaming on Kanopy.
Boys Town was produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and made in United States of America. It was released on September 8, 1938, and carries a NR certification.
- Director
- Norman Taurog
- Writers
- Dore Schary, Eleanore Griffin, John Meehan
- Release date
- September 8, 1938
- Original language
- English
- Age rating
- NR
- Status
- Released
- Country
- United States of America
- Production
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Boys Town cast & crew
Boys Town was directed by Norman Taurog and written by Dore Schary, Eleanore Griffin, and John Meehan.
The cast features Spencer Tracy as Father Flanagan, Mickey Rooney as Whitey Marsh, Henry Hull as Dave Morris, Leslie Fenton as Dan Farrow, Gene Reynolds as Tony Ponessa, and Edward Norris as Joe Marsh.
Behind the camera, the score was composed by Edward Ward, cinematography is by Sidney Wagner, and it was produced by John W. Considine Jr..
Is Boys Town worth watching?
Boys Town holds an audience score of 6.8/10 from 104 ratings, a solidly received drama films.
At 1h 36m, it's an easy, time-light watch.
If you enjoy drama, Boys Town is worth a place on your watchlist.
How and where to watch Boys Town
In United States, you can stream Boys Town on Kanopy, or rent and buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. Click any service above to open it directly.
Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.
Rate & review
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Cast of Boys Town

Spencer Tracy
Father Flanagan

Mickey Rooney
Whitey Marsh

Henry Hull
Dave Morris

Leslie Fenton
Dan Farrow

Gene Reynolds
Tony Ponessa

Edward Norris
Joe Marsh

Addison Richards
Judge

Minor Watson
Bishop

Jonathan Hale
John Hargraves

Bobs Watson
Pee Wee

Martin Spellman
Skinny

Mickey Rentschler
Tommy Anderson
More from the Boys Town Collection
Boys Town — FAQs
▸Where can I watch Boys Town in United States?
Boys Town is streaming on Kanopy in United States.
▸Is Boys Town on Kanopy?
Yes — Boys Town is currently available on Kanopy in United States.
▸What language is Boys Town in?
Boys Town is originally in English. Subtitle and dub options vary by streaming service.
▸How long is Boys Town?
Boys Town runs 1 hours 36 minutes (96 minutes).
▸What is Boys Town rated?
Boys Town is rated NR. It holds a 6.8/10 audience score from 104 ratings.












