Primal Fear poster

Where to watch

Each link opens a search on that service. Checked 13 October 2026.

Streaming data from JustWatch

Primal Fear

1996 · Movie · 129 min
B

MEANRANK

76/100

Averaged across 12 ratings · 1.4M votes

Every rating

Platform pages last read 29 September 2026. IMDb’s figure comes from IMDb’s own data file, which we re-read about once a month.

Google: Google retired the star ratings it used to show in search results, so this one no longer updates. More on where the numbers come from →

47–90 out of 100

Split

Lowest is Metacritic critics on 47, highest is Google on 90. Critics average 62, everyone else 79.

See the films the platforms disagree about most →
Compare Trailer

A arrogant Chicago defense attorney takes on the case of a young, stuttering altar boy accused of brutally murdering the city’s archbishop. He believes the case is a straightforward path to fame, but as he digs deeper, he uncovers a complex web of corruption and possible psychological manipulation.

Details

Based on
Primal Fear by William Diehl
Released
3 April 1996
Country
United States
Language
English, Spanish
Runtime
129 min
Rated
R
Budget
$30.0M
Box office
$102.6M
Awards
10 wins, 10 nominations

This title elsewhere

Richard Gere

Richard Gere

Martin Vail

Laura Linney

Laura Linney

Janet Venable

Edward Norton

Edward Norton

Aaron Stampler / Roy

John Mahoney

John Mahoney

Shaughnessy

Andre Braugher

Andre Braugher

Goodman

Awards & nominations

See all 20 →

1 major award won · 10 wins from 20 nominations across 19 ceremonies

Golden Globe Awards 1996 Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Edward Norton Winner
Academy Awards 1996 Best Supporting Actor Edward Norton Nominee
Critics Choice Awards 1996 Best Supporting Actor Edward Norton Nominee
20/20 Awards 1996 Best Supporting Actor Edward Norton Nominee
ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards 1996 Top Box Office Films James Newton Howard Winner
Awards Circuit Community Awards 1996 Honorable Mentions Gregory Hoblit Nominee
Boston Society of Film Critics Awards 1996 Best Supporting Actor Edward Norton Winner
British Academy Film Awards 1996 Best Actor in a Supporting Role Edward Norton Nominee
Show all 20 awards across 19 ceremonies

Awards from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA.