Published: November 9, 2026 · Last updated: November 9, 2026 · 3 min read

Modern Times is a 1936 film directed by Charlie Chaplin. This guide provides an overview of the production details and narrative premise.

Spoiler-free: this page uses only the official synopsis and public data.

Modern Times Ratings Snapshot

SourceScoreVotes
TMDB (audience votes)8.3/104255

Different sites measure different things. IMDb and TMDB scores average votes from registered users. The Rotten Tomatoes percentage is the share of critic reviews counted as positive, not an average grade. Metacritic converts reviews into a weighted average out of 100. A title can score high on one and lower on another, so look at all of them together.

Modern Times at a Glance

Poster for Modern Times (1936)
Poster: TMDB
Release date1936-02-05
GenresComedy, Drama, Romance
Runtime1 h 27 min (87 minutes)
Directed byCharlie Chaplin
Written byCharlie Chaplin
Top castCharlie Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Henry Bergman, Tiny Sandford
US ratingG
ProductionCharles Chaplin Productions
More detailsIMDb page · TMDB page

What Is Modern Times About? (Spoiler-Free)

A man characterized as a bumbling tramp attempts to establish a life and home with a young woman. His efforts are repeatedly interrupted by his own inexperience and frequent instances of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Cast and Characters

  • Charlie Chaplin as The Tramp (A Factory Worker)
  • Paulette Goddard as A Gamin
  • Henry Bergman as Cafe Proprietor
  • Tiny Sandford as Big Bill
  • Chester Conklin as Mechanic
  • Hank Mann as Burglar
  • Stanley Blystone as Gamin's Father
  • Al Ernest Garcia as President of the Electro Steel Corp.

Behind the Camera

Music byCharlie Chaplin
CinematographyIra H. Morgan, Roland Totheroh
EditingWillard Nico, Charlie Chaplin
ProducersCharlie Chaplin

Who Should Watch Modern Times?

It may suit you if:

  • You enjoy classic comedy films from 1936.
  • You are interested in stories blending comedy, drama, and romance.
  • You want to see a performance by Charlie Chaplin.

You might skip it if:

  • You prefer modern films over those from 1936.
  • You do not enjoy silent-era style comedy.

Before You Watch

This G-rated film has a runtime of 87 minutes. The story incorporates elements of comedy, drama, and romance.

Movies Like Modern Times

These picks come from TMDB’s audience recommendations for Modern Times.

TitleTMDB scoreAbout
City Lights (1931)8.2/10A tramp falls in love with a beautiful blind flower girl.
The Kid (1921)8.1/10A tramp cares for a boy after he's abandoned as a newborn by his mother.
Corner Office (2023)6.5/10In this office satire, Orson, a straight-laced employee, retreats to a blissfully empty corner office to get away from his lackluster colleagues.
The Cable Guy (1996)6.0/10When recently single Steven moves into his new apartment, cable guy Chip comes to hook him up—and doesn't let go.
Bringing Up Baby (1938)7.5/10David Huxley is waiting to get a bone he needs for his museum collection.
Still Breathing (1997)6.5/10Two lost souls: she a con-artist in L.A.; he a puppeteer in San Antonio have the same dream linking each with the other.

More guides: Avengers: Infinity War (2018) Ratings Explained: What the Scores Say · Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) · Apocalypse Now (1979): IMDb, Critic and Audience Scores Compared

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Modern Times (1936)?

Modern Times (1936) runs 1 h 27 min (87 minutes), according to TMDB.

Who directed Modern Times?

Charlie Chaplin.

Who stars in Modern Times?

Charlie Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Henry Bergman, Tiny Sandford, Chester Conklin.

When was Modern Times released?

The first release date listed on TMDB is 1936-02-05.

What is the US rating of Modern Times?

TMDB lists a US rating of G. Check the official rating body for the reasons behind it.

Data checked on November 9, 2026. Movie and TV data from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings via OMDb (IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic) where shown. Scores change over time; check the source for the latest numbers.

Related: Resident Evil (2026) ratings.

Related: undefined (2014) ratings.

Related: Saving Private Ryan (1998) ratings.


About this guide. Published by Morfeli on November 9, 2026. Facts come from public data sources (TMDB, OMDb, Deezer) and are summarized with AI assistance. This page is a data summary, not a critic’s review or a personal opinion; nobody here claims to have rated the title. Scores and details change over time. See our Editorial Policy.