The Decline of Western Civilization

Name: The Decline of Western Civilization
Genre: Documentary, Music
Released: 1981-07-01
Duration: 1 h 40 min
Rating: 7.2
Cast: Eugene Tatu, Alice Bag, Claude Bessy, Dinah Cancer, Exene Cervenka

1981·Movie·NR·100 min·★ 7.2(113)

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“See it in a theater.... where you can't get hurt.”

The Los Angeles punk music scene circa 1980 is the focus of this film. With Alice Bag Band, Black Flag, Catholic Discipline, Circle Jerks, Fear, Germs, and X.

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Where to watch The Decline of Western Civilization in United States

Click a service to open The Decline of Western Civilization there. Availability last verified on June 21, 2026.

Where is The Decline of Western Civilization streaming around the world?

Country	Streaming on	Rent / Buy
United States	Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Fandor, Philo	Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies
India	Stingray Amazon Channel, Plex	—
United Kingdom	Amazon Prime Video, Sundance Now Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Qello Concerts by Stingray Amazon Channel	Apple TV Store, Amazon Video
Canada	Fandor, Stingray Amazon Channel, Tubi TV, Plex	Google Play Movies, YouTube
Australia	Stingray Amazon Channel, Tubi TV, Plex	—
Germany	Plex	—
France	Plex	—
Spain	Plex	—
Brazil	Plex	—
Japan	Plex	—

About The Decline of Western Civilization

The Decline of Western Civilization is a 1981 English-language documentary and music film directed by Penelope Spheeris. The cast is led by Eugene Tatu, Alice Bag, Claude Bessy. It has a runtime of 1h 40m. Viewers rate it 7.2/10 across 100 ratings. In United States, it is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Fandor.

The Decline of Western Civilization was produced by Spheeris Films Inc. and made in United States of America. It was released on July 1, 1981, and carries a NR certification.

Director: Penelope Spheeris
Writers: Penelope Spheeris
Release date: July 1, 1981
Original language: English
Age rating: NR
Status: Released
Country: United States of America
Budget: $0 million
Production: Spheeris Films Inc.

#nihilism#self-destruction#interview#punk rock#los angeles, california#subculture#punk band#woman director#teen rebel#live music#diy culture#underground music#independent cinema#slam dancing

The Decline of Western Civilization cast & crew

The Decline of Western Civilization was directed by Penelope Spheeris and written by Penelope Spheeris.

The cast features Eugene Tatu as Self, Alice Bag as Self, Claude Bessy as Self, Dinah Cancer as Self, Exene Cervenka as Self, and Lorna Doom as Self.

Behind the camera, cinematography is by Steve Conant and it was produced by Penelope Spheeris and Jeff Prettyman.

Is The Decline of Western Civilization worth watching?

The Decline of Western Civilization holds an audience score of 7.2/10 from 113 ratings, marking it as well-reviewed documentary films.

At 1h 40m, it's an easy, time-light watch.

If you enjoy documentary and music, The Decline of Western Civilization is worth a place on your watchlist.

How and where to watch The Decline of Western Civilization

In United States, you can stream The Decline of Western Civilization on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Fandor, Philo, and Night Flight Plus, 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.