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MTDb โ€บ Best of โ€บ 1946 โ€บ The Big Sleep

The Big Sleep poster

The Big Sleep (1946)

โ€œThe picture they were born for!โ€

7.6/10 ยท 1,206 votes 1h 54m nr ThrillerRomanceDramaCrimeMystery

#4 of 8 films from 1946 #156 of 2475 in thriller

Directed by Howard Hawks ยท Written by William Faulkner, Jules Furthman, Leigh Brackett, Raymond Chandler

โ–ถ Trailer, images & where to stream

Overview

Private Investigator Philip Marlowe is hired by wealthy General Sternwood regarding a matter involving his youngest daughter Carmen. Before the complex case is over, Marlowe sees murder, blackmail, deception, and what might be love.

Cast

Humphrey Bogartas Philip Marlowe
Lauren Bacallas Vivian Sternwood Rutledge
John Ridgelyas Eddie Mars
Martha Vickersas Carmen Sternwood
Dorothy Maloneas Acme Bookstore Proprietress
Peggy Knudsenas Mona Mars
Regis Toomeyas Chief Inspector Bernie Ohls
Charles Waldronas General Sternwood
Charles D. Brownas Norris the Butler
Bob Steeleas Lash Canino
Elisha Cook Jr.as Harry Jones
Louis Jean Heydtas Joe Brody
Trevor Bardetteas Art Huck (uncredited)
Joy Barlowas Taxi Driver (uncredited)

Facts

Release dateAugust 22, 1946
Runtime114 min (1h 54m) โ€” about the same as the 1946 average of 115 min
GenresThriller, Romance, Drama, Crime, Mystery
LanguageEN
Budget$250,000
Box office$10,682,000 (42.7ร— budget)
IMDbtt0038355

More from Howard Hawks

Rio BravoRio Bravo1959 ยท โ˜… 7.8 ยท 2h 21m Bringing Up BabyBringing Up Baby1938 ยท โ˜… 7.5 ยท 1h 42m To Have and Have NotTo Have and Have Not1945 ยท โ˜… 7.5 ยท 1h 40m ScarfaceScarface1932 ยท โ˜… 7.4 ยท 1h 33m El DoradoEl Dorado1966 ยท โ˜… 7.4 ยท 2h 6m His Girl FridayHis Girl Friday1940 ยท โ˜… 7.4 ยท 1h 32m Gentlemen Prefer BlondesGentlemen Prefer Blondes1953 ยท โ˜… 7.3 ยท 1h 31m Red RiverRed River1948 ยท โ˜… 7.3 ยท 2h 13m

If you liked The Big Sleep

Same genre, released within a few years, sorted by TMDB rating.

NotoriousNotorious1946 ยท โ˜… 7.7 ยท 1h 43m In a Lonely PlaceIn a Lonely Place1950 ยท โ˜… 7.6 ยท 1h 33m SpellboundSpellbound1945 ยท โ˜… 7.4 ยท 1h 51m RebeccaRebecca1940 ยท โ˜… 7.9 ยท 2h 10m GaslightGaslight1944 ยท โ˜… 7.5 ยท 1h 54m The Lady from ShanghaiThe Lady from Shanghai1947 ยท โ˜… 7.3 ยท 1h 27m Rear WindowRear Window1954 ยท โ˜… 8.3 ยท 1h 53m Dial M for MurderDial M for Murder1954 ยท โ˜… 8.0 ยท 1h 45m

Questions

How long is The Big Sleep?
The Big Sleep runs 114 minutes (1h 54m).
Is The Big Sleep worth watching?
TMDB users give it 7.6/10 across 1,206 votes, which places it #4 of 8 films released in 1946 in this index (top 63%) and #156 among 2475 thriller titles.
Who directed The Big Sleep?
The Big Sleep was directed by Howard Hawks. Other well-rated titles by the same director: Rio Bravo (1959), Bringing Up Baby (1938), To Have and Have Not (1945).
Who stars in The Big Sleep?
Humphrey Bogart as Philip Marlowe; Lauren Bacall as Vivian Sternwood Rutledge; John Ridgely as Eddie Mars; Martha Vickers as Carmen Sternwood; Dorothy Malone as Acme Bookstore Proprietress; Peggy Knudsen as Mona Mars.
What is The Big Sleep rated?
It carries a nr certification in its home market. Ratings differ by country.
Where can I watch the trailer for The Big Sleep?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/10365.

Browse

Best of 1946Best thrillerThriller of the 1940sBest romanceRomance of the 1940sBest dramaDrama of the 1940sBest crimeCrime of the 1940sBest mysteryMystery of the 1940sAll lists
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Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-05.