Modern Times
The Tramp struggles to live in modern industrial society with the help of a young homeless woman.
Directed by Charles Chaplin · Comedy · Drama · Romance · 87 min · 1936
Trailer
Director
Charles Chaplin
Writer
Charlie Chaplin
Studio
Charles Chaplin Productions
Release
25 Feb 1936
Runtime
87 min
Genres
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Full Plot
Chaplin's last 'silent' film, filled with sound effects, was made when everyone else was making talkies. Charlie turns against modern society, the machine age, (The use of sound in films ?) and progress. Firstly we see him frantically trying to keep up with a production line, tightening bolts. He is selected for an experiment with an automatic feeding machine, but various mishaps leads his boss to believe he has gone mad, and Charlie is sent to a mental hospital - When he gets out, he is mistaken for a communist while waving a red flag, sent to jail, foils a jailbreak, and is let out again. We follow Charlie through many more escapades before the film is out.
Cast & Characters
Charles Chaplin
Ellen Peterson "The Gamin"
Paulette Goddard
the Café proprietor
Henry Bergman
a factory worker (The Tramp)
Charlie Chaplin
Big Bill
Stanley "Tiny" Sandford
a Mechanic
Chester Conklin
the President of the Electro Steel Corp.
Al Ernest Garcia
Gamin's father
Stanley Blystone
the prison cellmate
Richard Alexander
the Minister
Cecil Reynolds
the Minister's wife
Mira McKinney
Did You Know?
Made on an estimated budget of $1.5M, Modern Times has grossed $1.8M worldwide — about 1.2x its budget.
Source: TMDb API · verified 2026-08-02
Charles Chaplin has directed 5 films in our catalog, including The Gold Rush, The Great Dictator.
Source: theIReview.com catalog · verified 2026-08-02
Charles Chaplin appears in 5 films in our catalog, including The Gold Rush, The Great Dictator.
Source: theIReview.com catalog · verified 2026-08-02
Did You Know that Modern Times was inspired by the conditions of Europe during the Great Depression and a conversation with Mahatma Gandhi about modern technology?
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Did You Know that Chaplin initially experimented with sound scenes for Modern Times but eventually reverted to a silent format?
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Did You Know that most of the film was shot at "silent speed" to make slapstick action appear even more frenetic when projected at "sound speed"?
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Did You Know that the illusory drop scene in Modern Times had a matte-painted background, and Chaplin never faced actual danger while filming?
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Critical Assessment
Modern Times holds 8.5/10 on IMDb (276,967 votes), 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 96/100 on Metacritic.
Not enough independent critic/audience score breakdown available.
Ratings as of August 4, 2026
Where to Watch
United States
United Kingdom
India
Streaming data from JustWatch via TMDb. Availability changes often — confirm on the provider before watching.
AI Verdict
AI-generatedBased on aggregated scores (8.5/10 on IMDb (276,967 votes), 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 96/100 on Metacritic), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Modern Times's Rotten Tomatoes score?+
Modern Times holds a 98% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes.
What is Modern Times's IMDb rating?+
Modern Times has a 8.5/10 rating on IMDb from 276,967 votes.
What is Modern Times's Metacritic score?+
Modern Times has a Metascore of 96/100 on Metacritic.
Is Modern Times good? What are critics saying?+
Modern Times holds 8.5/10 on IMDb (276,967 votes), 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 96/100 on Metacritic.
How long is Modern Times?+
Modern Times has a runtime of 87 min.
Who directed Modern Times?+
Modern Times was directed by Charles Chaplin.
Where can I watch Modern Times?+
Modern Times is available to stream, rent, or buy on Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, Lionsgate Play, Lionsgate Play Apple TV Channel, Lionsgate Play Amazon Channel.
Fan & Critic Buzz
The reaction to "Modern Times" is largely positive, with reviewers praising Chaplin's direction and performances. Critics have noted that the film critiques industrialization and capitalism through satire, with some comparing it to science fiction. Many reviewers also appreciate its originality and insight, with one reviewer stating it was a classic.
Viewer Reviews (TMDb)
Really good movie from visionary and fun Charlie Chaplin in which industry literally swallows the human being.
Andres Gomez · 8/10I wonder how many people watch this nowadays and sympathise immediately with Chaplin's unskilled worker trying to keep up with the relentless march of technology? It starts with him being an unwilling guinea pig for a gadget that appears as useful for cleaning teeth as it is for…
CinemaSerf · 7/10
From the trailer's comments
2025 anyone?
@coraline8687 · 45 likesI watched this today. This is probably the first CC film I watched in its entirety. Needless to say, this one's legendary! *3 April 2024*
@prathameshbhambure · 12 likesDo you all realize that this great film is a work of SCIENCE FICTION?
@rickgauger2895 · 18 likesOne of the most iconic movies of all time.
@cance7984 · 34 likesThe final hurrah for the Tramp character and after 23 years. An original and insightful movie.
@alexdavies1662 · 5 likesjoker...2019 has this music...
@pawarsahastrak692 · 23 likesMahatma Gandhi inspired Chaplin to make this movie after a discussion about abhorrence of modern machinery, in London 1931...
@zaitseff2431 · 13 likes"Smile" was later set to lyrics by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons, and was a hit for Nat King Cole in 1954.[
@billlynn3196 · 6 likes
