West Side Story

West Side Story

The screen achieves one of the great entertainments in the history of motion pictures.

Directed by Jerome Robbins, Robert Wise

Produced by Seven Arts Productions, The Mirisch Company

1961153 min7.2 / 10

A sweeping musical tragedy that channels Romeo and Juliet through gang warfare and immigrant conflict, balancing exuberant song-and-dance spectacle with genuine darkness and doomed romance.

In Manhattan’s Upper West Side, rival gangs of Polish-Americans and newly arrived Puerto Ricans clash for control of the neighborhood, even as two young members from opposite sides fall dangerously in love.

Where to watch

Questions people ask

  • Is West Side Story one of a kind? Yes, very. More singular than 100% of films.

  • Is West Side Story sad? Yes, very. More sad than 96% of films.

  • Is West Side Story violent? Somewhat. More violent than 71% of films.

  • Does West Side Story end with hope? Not especially. Less hopeful than 70% of films.

  • Is West Side Story easy watching? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

  • Is West Side Story scary? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

Written about

57/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Familiar shape, done well.

Rarity96

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise18

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love75

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Everything like West Side Story, and what each one shares →

Like West Side Story

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as West Side Story

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like West Side Story, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like West Side Story, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like West Side Story, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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