Citizen Kane
Film

Citizen Kane (1941)

2 critics 39 lists ★ 8.0 TMDb 119 min MysteryDrama

Newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane is taken from his mother as a boy and made the ward of a rich industrialist. As a result, every well-meaning, tyrannical or self-destructive move he makes for the rest of his life appears in some way to be a reaction to that deeply wounding event.

Movies like Citizen Kane ↓

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The Generation GapWhat our critics say

The Craftsman
The CraftsmanGen X

Orson Welles’ revolutionary debut remains a towering achievement, not merely for its technical innovations but for its profound exploration of public persona versus private man. Charles Foster Kane, a media magnate whose life is meticulously dissected post-mortem, exemplifies the unknowability of even the most public figure. The film masterfully reveals how wealth and influence can create a labyrinthine façade, leaving observers forever pondering the true self behind the myth.

from “The Curated Self: 6 Films That Examine Life in the Public Eye” →
The Vibe Detector
The Vibe DetectorGen Z

Okay, so this one's the OG 'legend' movie, right? It unpacks Charles Foster Kane's whole deal, showing how power and ambition can totally warp a person, even if they start with good intentions. It’s like a masterclass in how public image vs. private reality can be two wildly different things, making you wonder what 'legendary' even means when nobody truly knows you. Also, sleds hit different after this.

from “12 Movies That Get Real About What It Means To Be a Legend (The Good, The Bad, The Kinda Messy)” →

Featured in 39 lists

The Curated Self: 6 Films That Examine Life in the Public Eye The 11 Essential Films That Challenge and Reflect Our World 10 Films That Cast a Long Shadow: Exploring Cinema's Enduring Power 10 Movies That Changed Everything We Thought We Knew 12 Films Whose Echoes Will Forever Shape Our Shared Human Story 8 Cinematic Milestones That Reimagined Our World 9 Cinematic Triumphs: The Films That Beat the Odds 10 Unforgettable Visions That Shaped Modern Cinema 12 Films That Shaped Modern Cinema The Unseen Threads: 12 Films That Weave Through History, Redefining What Cinema Can Be 12 Movies That Get Real About What It Means To Be a Legend (The Good, The Bad, The Kinda Messy) 6 Cinematic Visions That Echo Through Time

Movies like Citizen Kane

What most often shares a list with it, according to our critics.

2001: A Space Odyssey 2001: A Space Odyssey 1968 Arrival Arrival 2016 Anatomy of a Fall Anatomy of a Fall 2023 Blade Runner Blade Runner 1982 The Godfather The Godfather 1972 Do the Right Thing Do the Right Thing 1989 Parasite Parasite 2019 Seven Samurai Seven Samurai 1954