Cape Fear
“Sam Bowden has always provided for his family's future. But the past is coming back to haunt them.”
Sam Bowden is a small-town corporate attorney. Max Cady is a tattooed, cigar-smoking, Bible-quoting, psychotic rapist. What do they have in common? 14 years ago, Sam was a public defender assigned to Max Cady's rape trial, and he made a serious error: he hid a document from his illiterate client that could have gotten him acquitted. Now, the cagey Cady has been released, and he intends to teach Sam Bowden and his family a thing or two about loss.
Where to watch Cape Fear in United States
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At HomeClick a service to open Cape Fear there. Availability last verified on June 22, 2026.
Where is Cape Fear streaming around the world?
| Country | Streaming on | Rent / Buy |
|---|---|---|
| United States | — | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
| India | — | Amazon Video |
| United Kingdom | — | Apple TV Store, Rakuten TV, Amazon Video |
| Canada | Crave, Crave Amazon Channel | Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube |
| Australia | BINGE, Paramount Plus, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Foxtel Now | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies |
| Germany | WOW, Sky Go, Wow Fiction Amazon Channel, HBO Max | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies |
| France | SFR Play, Arte, Molotov TV | Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Canal VOD |
| Spain | — | Apple TV Store, Rakuten TV, Google Play Movies |
| Brazil | — | Claro video, Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |
| Japan | Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
About Cape Fear
Cape Fear is a 1991 English-language drama, crime and thriller film directed by Martin Scorsese. The cast is led by Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange. It has a runtime of 2h 8m. Viewers rate it 7.3/10 across 3900 ratings. In United States, it is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
Cape Fear was produced by Amblin Entertainment, Cappa Productions, and Tribeca Productions and made in United States of America. It was released on November 13, 1991, and carries a R certification. Made on a budget of about $35 million, it went on to gross $182 million worldwide.
- Director
- Martin Scorsese
- Writers
- Wesley Strick
- Release date
- November 13, 1991
- Original language
- English
- Age rating
- R
- Status
- Released
- Country
- United States of America
- Budget
- $35 million
- Box office
- $182 million
- Production
- Amblin Entertainment, Cappa Productions, Tribeca Productions
Cape Fear cast & crew
Cape Fear was directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Wesley Strick.
The cast features Robert De Niro as Max Cady, Nick Nolte as Sam Bowden, Jessica Lange as Leigh Bowden, Juliette Lewis as Danielle Bowden, Joe Don Baker as Claude Kersek, and Robert Mitchum as Lieutenant Elgart.
Behind the camera, the score was composed by Bernard Herrmann, cinematography is by Freddie Francis, and it was produced by Barbara De Fina and Kathleen Kennedy.
Is Cape Fear worth watching?
Cape Fear holds an audience score of 7.3/10 from 3,896 ratings, marking it as well-reviewed drama films.
At 2h 8m, it's a standard feature-length watch.
If you enjoy drama, crime, and thriller, Cape Fear is worth a place on your watchlist.
How and where to watch Cape Fear
Cape Fear isn't on a subscription service in United States right now, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube.
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 Cape Fear
Robert De Niro
Max Cady
Nick Nolte
Sam Bowden
Jessica Lange
Leigh Bowden
Juliette Lewis
Danielle Bowden
Joe Don Baker
Claude Kersek
Robert Mitchum
Lieutenant Elgart
Gregory Peck
Lee Heller
Martin Balsam
Judge
Illeana Douglas
Lori Davis
Fred Thompson
Tom Broadbent
Zully Montero
Graciella
Craig Henne
Prisoner
Cape Fear — FAQs
▸Where can I watch Cape Fear in United States?
Cape Fear is not on subscription streaming in United States right now, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies.
▸What language is Cape Fear in?
Cape Fear is originally in English. Subtitle and dub options vary by streaming service.
▸How long is Cape Fear?
Cape Fear runs 2 hours 8 minutes (128 minutes).
▸What is Cape Fear rated?
Cape Fear is rated R. It holds a 7.3/10 audience score from 3,896 ratings.
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