Dog Day Afternoon

Name: Dog Day Afternoon
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Released: 1975-09-21
Cast: Al Pacino, John Cazale, Charles Durning, Chris Sarandon, James Broderick

1975 | 124 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller

Friday Night Flick

Why it’s a Friday Night Flick

Critics loved it (94% on Rotten Tomatoes), it won an Oscar, audiences rate it highly (7.9 out of 10) and it made about 31 times its budget. Make plans for this one.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for crime-drama fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved The Town or Heat, start here.
The mood: Tense and unsettling, dark and gritty.
The pace: Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 4 min.
What might put you off: Rated R: meant for adults.
Made in 1975: an older pace and style.

Based on the true story of would-be Brooklyn bank robbers John Wojtowicz and Salvatore Naturile. Sonny and Sal attempt a bank heist which quickly turns sour and escalates into a hostage situation and stand-off with the police. As Sonny's motives for the robbery are slowly revealed and things become more complicated, the heist turns into a media circus.

How it earned its rating

CriticsVery strong
94% on Rotten Tomatoes
AudiencesStrong
7.9 out of 10
AwardsVery strong
Won 1 Oscar: Academy Awards: Best Original Screenplay. Won 2 BAFTAs: British Academy Film Awards: Best Actor in a Leading Role, British Academy Film Awards: Best Editing. Won 1 WGA Award: Writers Guild of America Awards: Best Drama Written Directly for the Screen. Also nominated for 5 more Oscars, 7 Golden Globes and 4 more BAFTAs. Plus 9 other awards.
Box office & staying powerStrong
$57 million worldwide on a $2 million budget
Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
Not enough engagement data yet