American History X Review (1998) — 83% Celluloid Score
Directed by Tony Kaye · 1998 ·
Is American History X worth watching?
Yes. American History X (1998) earns an 83% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one. See the 4 inputs.
4-input transparent breakdown
Also known as Historia Americana X A Outra História Americana アメリカン・ヒストリーX 아메리칸 히스토리 X 美国X档案 美國X檔案 Geçmişin Gölgesinde อเมริกันนอกคอก
Theatrical release Where to watch
Streaming availability varies by region — our catalogue lists HBO Max, Sky Cinema in the United Kingdom. Check local listings for your region.
Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home
Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home
Where to watch American History X by country
| Country | Streaming on |
|---|---|
| Japan | U-NEXT |
| United Kingdom | HBO Max, Sky Cinema |
Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.
Why this score?
- Celluloid's editorial rating is positive (87/100).
- General viewers mostly liked it (89%).
- Metascore signals universal acclaim (81/100).
- Letterboxd diarists rate it highly (4/5).
- IMDb users score it 8.5/10.
Best for
- Viewers who want a well-regarded drama pick
Not ideal for
Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy
Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.
Is American History X worth watching?
Yes — American History X earns an 83% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded drama pick. Read our full review (4.5/5).
Celluloid verdict
IMDb Top 250 #43 (8.5/10) — American History X remains one of the most highly rated films of all time.
Kaiser Khan, Founder & Editor
Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.
What is American History X about?
Derek Vineyard is paroled after serving 3 years in prison for killing two African-American men. Through his brother, Danny Vineyard's narration, we learn that before going to prison, Derek was a skinhead and the leader of a violent white supremacist gang that committed acts of racial crime throughout L.A. and his actions greatly influenced Danny. Reformed and fresh out of prison, Derek severs contact with the gang and becomes determined to keep Danny from going down the same violent path as he did.
Watch the Trailer
Critic Reviews
American History X (1998) Review: Hate, Handed Down
★★★★½
American History X is Tony Kaye's searing drama about a former neo-Nazi trying to save his younger brother, driven by Edward Norton's ferocious performance.
Yes. It is a harrowing American drama built around one of the great screen performances of the 1990s, though its violence is extreme and strictly for adults.
American History X stills
Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.
Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.
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American History X: frequently asked questions
Is American History X worth watching?
Yes. American History X (1998) has a Celluloid Score of 83%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.
Where can I watch American History X?
In the United States you can rent it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube. Elsewhere: U-NEXT in Japan; HBO Max, Sky Cinema in the United Kingdom. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.
How long is American History X?
American History X runs 1 hour 59 minutes (119 minutes).
What is American History X rated?
American History X is rated R in the United States, 18 in the UK, A in India, MA 15+ in Australia and R21 in Singapore. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.
Who stars in American History X?
American History X is directed by Tony Kaye and stars Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Beverly D'Angelo, Jennifer Lien, Ethan Suplee.
What is the Metascore for American History X?
Metacritic's Metascore for American History X is 81 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.
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