Panic in the Streets (1950): cast, story & where to watch
1950 · Film · ★ 6.8
Released in 1950, Panic in the Streets is a thriller, drama and crime film directed by Elia Kazan, running about 96 minutes. “THE SCREEN'S GREATEST EXCITEMENT OF THE YEAR!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. One night in the New Orleans slums, vicious hoodlum Blackie and his friends kill an illegal immigrant who won too much in a card game. The next morning, Dr. Clint Reed of the Public Health Service confirms the dead man had pneumonic plague. To prevent a catastrophic epidemic, Clint must find and inoculate the killers and their associates, with the reluctant aid of police captain Tom Warren, despite official skepticism, and in total secrecy, lest panic empties the city. Can a doctor turn detective? He has 48 hours to try.
Who’s in it. Panic in the Streets stars Richard Widmark as Lt. Cmdr. Clinton 'Clint' Reed M.D., Paul Douglas as Capt. Tom Warren, Barbara Bel Geddes as Nancy Reed and Jack Palance as Blackie, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.8/10, Panic in the Streets has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Panic in the Streets page.
If you liked it. Fans of Panic in the Streets tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Panic in the Streets (1950)?
- In US, Panic in the Streets is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Panic in the Streets worth watching?
- Panic in the Streets holds an audience score of 6.8 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller, drama and crime. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Panic in the Streets?
- Panic in the Streets stars Richard Widmark, Paul Douglas, Barbara Bel Geddes, Jack Palance and Zero Mostel.
- When was Panic in the Streets released?
- Panic in the Streets was released in 1950, with a runtime of about 96 minutes.