The Magnificent Ambersons
Performance & Direction: The Magnificent Ambersons Review
Last updated: January 24, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Magnificent Ambersons (1942) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Magnificent Ambersons features a noteworthy lineup led by Joseph Cotten . Supported by the likes of Dolores Costello and Anne Baxter , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Magnificent Ambersons (1942) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 7.3/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: The Magnificent Ambersons
Quick Plot Summary: The Magnificent Ambersons is a Drama, Romance film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Magnificent Ambersons
Ending Breakdown: The Magnificent Ambersons resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Magnificent Ambersons reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Magnificent Ambersons?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Top Cast: The Magnificent Ambersons
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Where to Watch The Magnificent Ambersons Online?
Streaming HubThe Magnificent Ambersons Parents Guide & Age Rating
1942 AdvisoryWondering about The Magnificent Ambersons age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Magnificent Ambersons is 88 minutes (1h 28m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.3/10, and global performance metrics, The Magnificent Ambersons is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1942 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Magnificent Ambersons worth watching?
The Magnificent Ambersons is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7.3/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Magnificent Ambersons parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Magnificent Ambersons identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Magnificent Ambersons?
The total duration of The Magnificent Ambersons is 88 minutes, which is approximately 1h 28m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Magnificent Ambersons
This is a actually quite a sad story; though given the wealth and opportunity offered the young "George" (Tim Holt) it might seem fatuous to say so. He is born into a family with money, status and privilege so, consequently, grows up into a young man with little, if any, appreciation of anything - all he wants to do is sail boats. As the plot develops, we see the return of "Eugene" (Joseph Cotton) the man his mother, now widowed, (Dolores Costello) really did love before a childish spat drove her into the arms of the dreary, but reliable, "Wilbur". "George" is determined to ensure that any rekindling of their erstwhile romance is well and truly throttled and so, broadly speaking, misery ensues for all concerned. That "George" is heading for a fall is writ large, and there is soon quite a queue of folks happy to oblige as his arrogance and thoughtlessness causes havoc to all - including himself. It is a gentle melodrama and it is largely devoid of any action, in the typical sense, but the characters do epitomise the wastrel, take-it-for-granted attitudes of the bored, wealthy, aspiring and just plain ignorant very well. Agnes Moorhead stands out as "Fanny", the spinster who tries to keep "George" from his own worst excesses, and Orson Welles resists the temptation to be too judgmental (or overbearing) with his narrative that gently guides us along, now and again.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.









