Key Largo

Play trailer

Key Largo

1948

1h 41m

Crime

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

This classic film noir by John Huston stars Humphrey Bogart as World War II vet Frank McCloud. Visiting Key Largo to pay his respects to the family of his late war buddy, McCloud attempts to comfort his comrade's widow, Nora, and father, James Temple, who operate a hotel. But McCloud realizes that mobsters, led by the infamous Johnny Rocco, are staying in the hotel. When the criminals take over the establishment, conflict is inevitable.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall are at the mercy of Edward G. Robinson's menacing gangster -- and so is the audience in this enthralling chamber piece.

Read Critics Reviews

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Apr 8, 2008

A little windy and rhetorical for my taste, but still one of John Huston's best efforts.

Go to Full Review

Ian Nathan

Empire Magazine

Apr 8, 2008

4/5

Perfeclty tense atmosphere and performances, with the sparks flying between Bogart and Bacall.

Go to Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Apr 8, 2008

Emphasis is on tension in the telling, and effective use of melodramatic mood has been used to point up the suspense.

Go to Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

Feb 11, 2024

4.5/5

Key Largo manages to keep audiences on their toes or at the edge of their seat from start to finish.

Go to Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Aug 22, 2022

4.5/5

Loosely based on Maxwell Anderson’s 1939 play, “Key Largo” took the form of a brilliant crime drama anchored by a great cast and superb performances.

Go to Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Aug 13, 2020

9/10

The real stars of the film are mind games and manipulation, sharply brought to life by the restrained verbal feuding between Bogart and Robinson.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Joseph E

@RT35842617 Sep 4, 2026

Watch it just for Robinson he is magnetic. Bacall doesnt do much just a pretty face. Bogey of course natural talent. Claire Trevor acting I thought wooden but she won best supporting? What do I know. The shadows and lighting very cool. Totally watchable, though Bogey character still missing a lot of development. Still he nails it.

See more

William B

@A1reviews Apr 27, 2026

A real good old movie.

See more

DJ B.

@TheNoirtheMerrier Feb 9, 2026

Bogart and Bacall were fantastic together. An outstanding role by Edward G Robinson. Lionel Barrymore also turned in a great late career performance. The beautiful scenery of the Keys, a hurricane, and a fantastic story with enough twists to keep it interesting all combine for a fantastic viewing experience.

See more

Per S

@RT83737705 Jan 19, 2026

Grand cast in another overrated John Houston film.

See more

Leaburn O

@RT35452347 Dec 17, 2025

A little bit too far fetched and overwrought for my liking. Acting is hammy and unbelievable. The plot is ok and it is fast moving enough to get through but I’m not onboard with its classic status. Watched on DVD.

See more

TheMovieSearch R

@TheMovieSearch Dec 16, 2025

Key Largo stands as a defining black-and-white classic that showcases Humphrey Bogart at the height of his screen presence, delivering a film that once represented a pivotal moment in cinematic history. The direction is confident and deliberate, creating tension through atmosphere, dialogue, and character interaction rather than spectacle. Each character feels purposeful, and their individual arcs gradually collide in ways that keep the story engaging and emotionally charged. The screenplay is strong for its time, allowing the audience to feel immersed in the setting and invested in the moral conflicts unfolding on screen. There is a craftsmanship here that reflects an era when cinema relied on performance and storytelling rather than constant stimulation. That said, Key Largo may struggle to resonate with younger audiences, feeling distant or slow due to changing viewing habits. While its legacy remains intact, its impact rests more on historical appreciation than mainstream appeal.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

John Huston

Director

Humphrey Bogart

Frank McCloud

Edward G. Robinson

Johnny Rocco

Lauren Bacall

Nora Temple

Lionel Barrymore

James Temple

Claire Trevor

Gaye Dawn

High Sierra

92%

78%

High Sierra

Watchlist

The Roaring Twenties

100%

89%

The Roaring Twenties

Watchlist

Bonnie and Clyde

91%

88%

Bonnie and Clyde

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Bonnie and Clyde

The Maltese Falcon

99%

91%

The Maltese Falcon

Watchlist

Rope

93%

90%

Rope

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

This classic film noir by John Huston stars Humphrey Bogart as World War II vet Frank McCloud. Visiting Key Largo to pay his respects to the family of his late war buddy, McCloud attempts to comfort his comrade's widow, Nora, and father, James Temple, who operate a hotel. But McCloud realizes that mobsters, led by the infamous Johnny Rocco, are staying in the hotel. When the criminals take over the establishment, conflict is inevitable.

Director: John Huston
Producer: Jerry Wald
Screenwriter: Maxwell Anderson, Richard Brooks, John Huston
Distributor: Key Video, Warner Home Vídeo, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Brothers
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 16, 1948, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 3, 2016
Runtime: 1h 41m

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings